The federal government has officially launched Nigeria’s first modular Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) extraction plant and a 20-megawatt gas-to-power project.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, commissioned the projects at the Otakikpo field in Rivers State. The facilities, developed by Green Energy and Lekoil Joint Venture (JV), mark a major step forward for Nigeria’s gas sector.
Boosting Domestic Gas Supply
The newly launched projects are expected to increase Nigeria’s use of locally produced gas, improve access to energy, and support economic growth in the region. Before the official commissioning, the JV management took the minister on a tour of the key facilities, including:
- The power plant
- The LPG extraction plant
- The Early Production Facility (EPF)
- A land terminal – the first built by an independent company in Nigeria
Community Support and Economic Benefits
Minister Ekpo praised the JV for completing the projects efficiently and highlighted the importance of using local resources and involving the community. He also commended the peaceful relationship between the host communities, traditional rulers, and the operating companies, which helped ensure the projects were completed on time.
“These projects will create jobs for young people, provide electricity for communities, and contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s gas industry. They align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ekpo said.
Government’s Commitment to Clean Energy
The commissioning event was attended by key government officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella. The leadership of the JV, including Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, Chairman of Green Energy International, and Mr. Olalekan Akinyanmi, CEO of Lekoil, also participated.
In addition to these projects, the federal government announced plans to speed up access to clean cooking gas, increasing the annual target from 22% to 25%. This move is aimed at reducing reliance on traditional cooking fuels and improving environmental sustainability.
The launch of these projects reflects Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its gas sector and provide cleaner, more affordable energy to its citizens.
