The $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline construction which will be flagged off by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari on the 30th of June 2020 at Ajaokuta, Kogi State, has commenced.
The Project which has been described as the finest hour for the Nigerian Content Policy goals by the oil and gas industry experts, would realise some of the nation’s long-term economic aspirations of boosting domestic energy infrastructure, deepen the local gas market, create industrial corridors with cleaner fuel, as well as commercialise the country’s abundant gas resources.
However, according to Oilserv Limited, one of the companies handling the project, the preparation for the flag off has reached 95 percent readiness and has almost everything needed for the event to hold as they look forward to a successful ground-breaking ceremony.
The company, also, informed that, “The project, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), will significantly curb gas flaring in the Niger Delta region and guarantee better air quality in the oil producing areas of the country.
“Furthermore, the pipeline, which was conceived to connect demand from the northern part of the country with supply from the south, would be the biggest infrastructure development in the country’s recent history.
“It will also mark a significant shift in the nation’s energy policy; from revenue, targeted export programmes to development focused domestic supply programmes.
“Significantly, the $2.8 billion project will break through on the 30th of June after seven years of rigorous processes that morphed from policy conception through implementation strategy designs, master-plans and solid implementation programmes.
“Perhaps the biggest value to the economy is the participation of indigenous engineering firms led by pipeline giant, Oilserv Limited, in the delivery of some of the phases of the project.
“The company has successfully delivered over 17 similar challenging projects in the country including the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) of the 67-kilometre Obiafu/Obrikom to Oben (OB3) 48-inch diameter Gas Transmission Pipeline System.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to be a special guest of honor at the event. The project is a consortium of indigenous and international engineering firms to deliver the 614-kilometer gas pipeline conceived to provide the highly desired stimulus to domestic industrial growth.