Federal Government Asks Contractors To Complete $2.5 Billion AKK Natural Gas Pipeline In 2024

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has directed the contractors of the $2.5 billion Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano Natural Gas Pipeline project to finish the work by July or August 2024.

The minister's spokesperson Louis Ibah disclosed the deadline Thursday after Ekpo visited the project site. During the tour, the minister slammed the slow pace of the project and asked the contractors to complete it by next year.

In response to the minister's concern, Emeka Okwuosa, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Group of Companies, explained that the Pai River crossing was peculiar due to which they had to bring horizontal directional drilling technology into the project to ensure the work was done perfectly.

"From our schedule, I know we are finishing next year. On the main pipeline itself that will deliver the gas, we are optimistic that by July, or August next year, we would be done," he told the minister, Vanguard reported.

"We have our schedule as far as where we are today and we are working hard to mitigate and make sure we deliver. A lot of what we have to deal with in the next six months will be the river crossing area," he added.

Okwuosa also thanked Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited and the federal government for supporting the project, alongside the minister's input to ensure on-time completion.

"Your commitment towards the development of gas as a source of energy in Nigeria is unequaled. Your comment has shown your focus which is driven by your patriotic position not as an Honourable Minister, but as a person and a committed Nigeria," he said.

He also pointed out that this project was possible because of the NNPC's support, as it helped them raise funds to ensure that the project keeps going. The CEO assured the minister that the company's commitment is 100 percent towards this project, even though they have challenges.

"Our job is to deal with the challenges and make sure the project is completed as scheduled," he added.

Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPCL, also spoke during the inspection tour and said that it is committed to delivering strategic national infrastructure projects, in collaboration with government agencies.

Minister Ekpo emphasized that the "July, August deadline should be sacrosanct and there should be no excuse; that is what we are going to look at" and urged Nigerians to have faith in President Bola Tinubu-led federal government, noting that the economic situation of the country would improve.