The Federal Government has inaugurated Nigeria’s first modular Liquefied Petroleum Gas extraction plant and a 20-megawatt gas-to-power project in Rivers State, marking a significant milestone in the country’s gas sector.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, commissioned the projects at the Otakikpo field, describing them as a transformative step towards enhancing domestic gas utilization, electricity generation, and economic growth.
Developed through a partnership between Green Energy International and Lekoil Joint Venture, the projects are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s gas economy, provide reliable electricity to local communities, and create job opportunities.
“These projects will unlock opportunities in the gas sector, generate power for communities, and create employment, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ekpo stated.
Before the commissioning, the minister toured the facilities, including the power plant, LPG extraction unit, Early Production Facility, and a land terminal – the first of its kind built by an independent company in Nigeria.
Commending the developers for their use of local expertise and strong collaboration with host communities and stakeholders, Ekpo emphasized the importance of such partnerships in ensuring the successful and timely completion of critical infrastructure.
The event was attended by top government officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella, as well as key figures from the Joint Venture, such as Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, Chairman of Green Energy International, and Mr. Olalekan Akinyanmi, CEO of Lekoil.
As part of its commitment to cleaner energy solutions, the federal government also announced an accelerated push for clean cooking initiatives, raising its annual target from 22 percent to 25 percent.
