Ololade Adeyanju/
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, has lauded the significant advancements of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project, led by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).
According to a statement signed by FCIA Director, Information and Public Relations, Mohammed Manga, Edun commended the project’s team for their unwavering dedication and hard work.
Speaking yesterday in Kaduna, Edun highlighted the project’s vital role in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy to bolster economic growth and generate employment. He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing all necessary support to ensure the project’s completion within six to nine months.
Accompanied by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), the Minister of Information and National Orientation, and the GCEO of NNPC Ltd, Edun visited the Kaduna State section of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project. They were welcomed by Kaduna State Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, representing Governor Uba Sani.
The AKK Gas Pipeline Project aims to expand Nigeria’s gas pipeline network to meet growing power demands and support gas-based industries. This ambitious initiative includes a 40-inch, 614-kilometer pipeline stretching from Ajaokuta to Kano, equipped with intermediate and terminal gas facilities.
Key Benefits of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project
Economic Growth:
The AKK project is set to enhance power generation, revive dormant industries, stimulate new industrial developments, and provide alternative transportation fuels along its route.
Job Creation:
The project will create thousands of jobs, significantly alleviating poverty.
Energy Sustainability:
By providing an alternative fuel source for power, cooking, transportation, and industrial activities in key states like Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano, the AKK pipeline will reduce deforestation and transform Nigeria’s energy landscape.
Overcoming Challenges:
Despite obstacles such as COVID-19, global inflation, and severe weather conditions, the project has progressed, employing over 2,000 workers, 1,925 of whom are Nigerians. The project has also engaged 61 local contractors, demonstrating the robust support from the Federal Government.