The Chairman Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) is set to establish five mini-liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants in Ajaokuta Local Government Area of Kogi State.
Akpoti-Uduaghan made the revelation at the Practical Nigerian Content Forum organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in Bayelsa State.
She said the projects would be flagged off next year, describing it as the largest concentration of such projects in one district.
“I would like to appreciate NNPC and the industry experts who have also considered and humbled us at Ajaokuta Local Government, with the (not too sure if it’s too early to speak about it), establishment of five mini LNG plants which will be flagged off early next year. And this is actually the largest concentration of such projects in one district in the entire country. Five, not one, two, three, four, but five mini liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants will be established in Ajaokuta by God’s grace next year.
“That’s good news for us, good news for Nigeria. So what does that mean? This and many others are just pivotal, it’s important to know that if there’s any place in the country where we should situate a technology hub that will not only drive innovations but talk about the testing and brainstorming around the various kinds of metals and what these metals can do for the industry. It’s just Ajaokuta Local Government,“ she stated.
Speaking about the moribund Ajaokuta steel company, the senator revealed that the Federal Government had located the main constructors of the steel to revamp it and keep it running.
She assured that work would commence on the steel company next year.
“I would like to give credit to the president, who has committed extensive political will in ensuring that the Ajaokuta Steel Company has been connected with the original builders.
“A certain number of MoUs and agreements have been undertaken, and in the first quarter of next year, we are hoping that the Tyajz Prom Export, who are the original builders of the plant, will be on the ground to kick-start the revitalisation of the steel plant. That means we are setting ourselves, our country, strategically to begin to manufacture the core components and machines that are utilised in the oil and gas sector,” she explained.
Akpoti-Uduaghan stressed that for every deep water operation, rigs are utilised and the cheapest rig stands at about $10m while some go as much as $25m.
“And what actually makes up a rig? Steel. So, just imagine, count how many rigs you have in Nigerian waters. Imagine if we had those rigs manufactured in-country. That means we would have saved so much money and we would have created so many jobs,” she said.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said a stable power supply is essential to driving the growth of key industries, including oil and gas, manufacturing and digital services.
Adelabu noted that as a nation, the government is saddled with the responsibility of laying the foundation for future generations, ensuring that industries are not only competitive but also locally driven.
The power minister stated that the power sector had made commendable strides in recent months.
