Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo says his administration is ready to remove any Bureaucratic bottleneck affecting investment in Kogi State.
He also has expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for locating the 5 Mini-LNG plants in Kogi state, describing it as a step forward in Nigeria’s march towards attaining energy security.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of mini liquified natural gas (LNG) plants in Ajaokuta on Thursday, Governor Ododo said the project will drive the implementation of the gas revolution agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said the project would unlock over $500m in investment and would ensure huge benefits for Nigeria, create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and boost infrastructure in the host communities.
“This project is a testament to what can be achieved with partnership. The groundbreaking will set the stage for a brighter and more prosperous future for Kogi State and Nigeria.
“Economic benefits of this project cannot be overemphasised as it is setting the state for brighter and more prosperous future, leveraging cleaner energy future.
“This project aligns with our vision of leveraging clean energy for driving industrialisation and will boost Kogi’s aspirations to become an industrial hub. We will ensure that both the investments and the investors are safe,” he added.
Ododo said the project aligned with the global effort to combat climate change, carbon emissions and achieve energy security.
Group Chief Executive of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, said the projects would be delivered in record time, adding that already, the equipment for the take-off of the gas plant has arrived in Nigeria and is being cleared at the ports.
“The president was very clear that this is the time for the gas revolution and that we have enormous gas in Nigeria. He sees gas as the vehicle to ensure the industrialisation of Nigeria, and it must be done. We won’t want stories
“This project will be delivered in good time. This is not just groundbreaking. Equipment for this location is on the ground at the ports, and we have a delivery date for all the projects. They will be delivered on schedule,” Kyari said.
He commended the governor of Kogi State and the host communities for their support so far for the project.
“We can’t do this without the understanding of host communities, and we have seen good support from the people of this community, and Kogi State will be the first beneficiary of this project.
“We at NNPC must deliver all the gas projects in this country, and this will be the backbone of the energy sector and Nigeria’s development.
“This will bring gas closer to our consumers and at a cheaper cost, and we will see the value that this will create for our country,” he added.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Gas, Ekperipe Ekpo, who represented President Tinubu at the event, emphasised the project’s importance in Nigeria’s energy strategy.
Also speaking, Senator Natasha Uduaghan, Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, appreciated President Tinubu for passing the executive order for establishing the plant.
“Gas is the future. It is a new paradigm shift for the country because the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project will be completed in the second quarter of 2025,” she said.
Uduaghan said that the project would spur economic activities and revenue generation.
She also expressed optimism that the Ajaokuta steel company would resume production soon for enhanced economic growth.
The five mini-LNG projects are NNPC Prime LNG, NGML/Gasnexus LNG, BUA LNG, Highland LNG, and LNG Arete.
