*SEN. MARGERY CHUBA OKADIGBO INSPECTS AJAOKUTA-KADUNA-KANO GAS PIPELINE, SAYS IT WILL BE COMPLETED BY FIRST QUARTER OF 2023*

The Board Chairman of NNPC Ltd, Sen. Margery Chuba Okadigbo Thursday has confirmed that the ongoing Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline project will be ready by the first quarter of 2023.

Sen. Margery Chuba Okadigbo who led Board members and Management of the NNPC Ltd said this while inspecting the AKK gas project site at Abaji, Abuja.

AKK, is a gas pipeline project flagged off precisely on 30th June 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR

Upon its flagship, the project with the overall cost of an estimated 2.6 billion dollars apparently raised the expectations of the citizenry.

Flagging off the project, virtually in 2020, President Buhari mandated the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and its partners to remain resolute, noting that the AKK project was part of the delivery of his administration’s Next Level Agenda for sustainable development, enhancement of economic prosperity and increase of the country’s infrastructure assets.

Speaking during the inspection, Sen. Margery Chuba Okadigbo said: "we are very confident that by first quarter of 2023, we will put gas on these pipelines. This project will be delivered on schedule and timely, we are putting in place everything required to deliver the project".

She commended the contractor on its effort, said it should speed up the project because the whole world was in need of gas.

Also, she reiterated on the Buhari led government’s desire to industrialize the country and energize the entrepreneurial spirit that remained present among the teeming population. As the completion of the project will provide gas for generation of power and for gas-based industries, which would facilitate the emergence and development of new industries. As well as ensure the revival of moribund industries along transit towns in Kogi, Niger, Kaduna, and Kano States coupled with Abuja, the precise areas where the pipeline will cut across.

On his part, the GMD NNPC Ltd, Mallam Mele Kyari said that the AKK gas pipeline project is a market opportunity for Nigeria, being the highest gas reserve country in Africa

He said that more importantly, it would bring major development, progress, creative jobs and stabilised power as well as revamp industries across the country.

Kyari said this was because it would de-bottleneck gas supply network in the entire country.

According to him, it will serve as gas supply link to other African countries and Europe upon completion.

Emeka Okwuosa, Chairman, Oilserve Ltd., company in charge of the project Engineering, Procurement and Construction, said with prompt intervention of the NNPC management, it had redoubled effort and added more capacity to meet deadline.

Among those that accompanied the NNPC Ltd Board Chairman, Sen. Margery Chuba Okadigbo to the inspection tour are: the NNPC Board members; Group Executive Director (GED), Finance and Accounts, Mr Umar Ajiya; GED, Upstream, Mr Adokiye Tombomieye, etc.

--- _CHARLES IWUAGWU_

Where are those Niger deltan and ipob guys when u need them?? Abi na just to kill innocent people una Sabi? See as north dey carry oil pass una domot..