The Federal Government has pledged to utilize its abundant gas resources to boost industrial growth and economic prosperity. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made this declaration at the commissioning of three critical gas infrastructure projects, including the expansion of the AHL Gas Processing Plant in Kwale-Delta state and the ANOH Gas Processing Plant and the 23.3km ANOH to Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) Custody Transfer Metering Station Gas Pipeline Projects in Ohaji-Egbema in Imo State. 

The President emphasized the administration’s intention to utilize the country’s gas resources to deepen domestic gas utilization, increase national power generation capacity, revitalize industries, and create job opportunities for economic growth. He also highlighted significant progress in incentivizing gas development through Presidential Executive Orders. Tinubu congratulated the project partners and assured the citizenry that these are just the beginning of other landmark projects and initiatives to ensure gas-fuelled prosperity in Nigeria.

Speaking with journalist at the event, Oilserv Limited’s Managing Director, Engr. Nnanna Anyanwu, expressed pride in the company’s significant contribution to Nigeria’s transition towards cleaner energy, aligning with the nation’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative. 

The Assa Gas Process Treatment Facility, inaugurated virtually by the President under the theme ‘Gas to Prosperity’, encompasses the ANOH PTF – OB3 Custody Transfer Metering Station (CTMS) and a gas export pipeline project. This project involved the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning (EPCIC) of a 36-inch by 23.3-kilometer gas export pipeline, equipped with Pigging facilities (Launcher & Receiver), facilitating the transportation of natural gas from the NGC manifold at Assa to the OB3 CTMS, built and delivered by Oilserv Limited.

Anyanwu, emphasized that the successful completion of the Assa Process Treatment Facility, the OB3 CTMS, and the extensive export pipeline underscores Oilserv’s commitment to adhering to project timelines, ensuring safety, and maintaining high standards of quality and excellence. He further stated that the country’s economy will greatly benefit from the increased use of domestic natural gas for power generation, its use as a feedstock for industries reliant on gas, and Nigeria’s quick modernization due to its abundant gas resources.

“Oilserv has not only enhanced our infrastructure capabilities and technical expertise but also bolstered our global competitiveness. Importantly, this project delivers substantial value to our clients,” Anyanwu noted. He further highlighted the transformative potential of the pipeline in unlocking gas resources, contributing to the ‘Decade of Gas’ vision, and aiding Nigeria’s transition to cleaner fuel sources, marking substantial progress for the nation. 

Although he decried the insufficient infrastructure to harness Nigeria’s enormous gas resources, however, expressed confidence that the federal government, through NNPCL, will undertake additional strategically important gas projects to benefit the country.

Meanwhile, HRH Eze Emmanuel Assor, the traditional ruler of Assa Autonomous Community in Ohaji/Egbema LGA, lauded the project as an economic boom for both the local area and the nation. He noted the project’s potential to create job opportunities and stimulate further investments, despite the community’s sacrifices, including the loss of farmland.

“This development is a source of joy for us. It will create employment opportunities for our people, and we hope to receive concessional treatment due to our substantial contributions. Although our community has predominantly been agricultural, we are optimistic that this project will attract more investors to our area,” Eze Assor remarked. He urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to reciprocate the community’s sacrifices by providing essential developmental and infrastructural amenities.