The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited said on Friday that the 614-kilometre Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Project would be completed in the first quarter of 2025.
This was disclosed in a state signed by the ChiefChief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye.
In the statement, NNPCL said that the 614- AKK Gas Pipeline Project would be completed by the first quarter of 2025.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the national oil firm, Mr. Mele Kyari made this known during a visit to the project site by three ministers to check the River Kaduna crossing milestone of the project in Kaduna, stating that key aspects of the task had already been finished.
Kyari informed the ministers “Without promising too much, we assure you that this project will be delivered on schedule. Our mission is to work towards delivering it by December this year. But we are confident this project will be delivered by 1st quarter of 2025.”
The GCEO stated that the NNPC understands the project’s strategic importance and significant value to Nigeria’s economy, and that the firm is financing it with its balance sheet.
The three ministers who visited the project site were: the Minister of Finance/Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; the Minister of Information & National Orientation, Mr. Mohammed Idris and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Commenting at the project site, Edun referred to the AKK gas pipeline as the “pipeline of prosperity,” which is highly important to President Bola Tinubu because it will provide the vital infrastructure required to spark the nation’s economic growth and industrialization.
He said “The AKK gas pipeline is crucial for this administration and its delivery is in line with Mr. President’s strategy of bringing prosperity to the people,” Edun added.
In his remarks, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Idris said the AKK project was a testimony to the fact that the federal government’s “Decade of Gas” had commenced in earnest.
“Nigerians should be proud of the AKK gas pipeline project. With the delivery of this project, the prosperity that Mr. President is always talking about is unraveling right here before our eyes.”
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekpo stated that the pipeline was part of the federal government’s extensive attempts to leverage the nation’s enormous gas resources towards increasing power generation, revitalizing ailing industries, and providing employment prospects in the country.
Ekpo called on all stakeholders to support the NNPC in completing the project and several other gas projects, as the country relies on them to bring wealth to its people.
The three ministers commended the NNPC and its project partner, Brentex/CPP Ltd (BCL), for the progress made so far, and expressed optimism that the NNPC will deliver as promised.
In his remark, the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Uba Sani, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe noted that the completion of the AKK gas pipeline will signal a much-needed economic and industrial resurgence in the state.
“If you know about the Kakuri Industrial Area and how most of our factories there have become moribund, you will understand why we in Kaduna State are all excited about the AKK Gas Pipeline.
“Without a doubt, the pipeline will revamp our industries and bring about a huge impact on our people. We can’t wait for it to be completed,” the governor added.
The AKK pipeline project is a 40-inch by 614-kilometer linear pipeline system from Ajaokuta in Kogi State to Kano, with associated intermediate and terminal gas facilities and other relevant equipment to carry natural gas to off-takers in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kaduna.
