NIPCO Gas partnered with NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML) to supply and distribute natural gas in the Lekki Gas Distribution Area in June 2022.
Subsequently, NGML-NIPCO Gas JV executed a Gas Infrastructure and Development Agreement with Lekki Free Zone Development Company (LFZDC) in November 2022 to provide natural gas supplies to industries and Power plants.
We are proud to announce that with the support of NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company (NGIC) today i.e. on 28th August 2024; NGML-NIPCO Gas JV is commissioning the prestigious Lekki Gas Distribution Project and also commissioning the Lekki Power Plant, said Nagendra Verma, managing director of NIPCO Gas
The infrastructure developed by NGML-NIPCO Gas JV has the capacity of over 100 mmscfd. The City Gate Station constructed by NGML-NIPCO Gas JV has a present capacity to flow 5 mmscfd to 25 mmscfd of gas further extendable to over 100 mmscfd. Lekki Free Zone is having gas-based power plant of 2 x 12 MW i.e. 24 MW capacity.
This milestone marks a significant step towards unlocking and harnessing the nation’s abundant natural gas for the economic development of Nigeria.
NGML-NIPCO Gas JV is sure that the infrastructure created will certainly attract more and more industries to set up their facilities within and outside LFZDC. The supply of piped natural gas by NGML-NIPCO JV will certainly help in the development of Lekki Free Zone and Free Zone Enterprise licensed by NEPZA (FZE) exponentially.
This is also going to boost the industrialization and employment opportunities in Lekki area which in turn will boost the economy of the country.
NIPCO Gas believes that the collaboration between NGML-NIPCO Gas shall attract industries to set up their facilities, as Lekki Free Zone has many advantages like proximity to the sea-port, export promotion zone advantages, improving road connectivity-hence providing better logistics for movement of raw materials or finished products, etc.
NGML-NIPCO Gas JV has the natural gas distribution network along Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway and supplying gas to industries to meet their energy requirement. This gas distribution is also being extended to Ibadan, Oyo State, and Abeokuta, Ogun State presently. With the availability of a natural gas distribution network, lot of industries are setting up their facilities there. This results in the overall development of the area with an increased number of employments resulting into the socio-economic upliftment of citizens. Industries are enjoying reliable, economical, and clean fuel for powering their factories and other fuel needs. The use of natural gas has reduced the industry’s fuel bills drastically and also contributed in lower equipment maintenance costs being the cleanest fuel.
NIPCO Gas in partnership with NNPC Gas Marketing Limited is also expanding AutoCNG Stations across Nigeria under the Presidential CNG initiative. NIPCO Gas is sure that with the support of the supply of piped natural gas to industries, NGML-NIPCO Gas JV will be able to keep and maintain lower AutoCNG prices. Also, the increased usage of domestic gas in the industrial and automobile sector will certainly help the Federal Government in reducing fuel importation bills and fuel subsidy burdens.
Supply of natural gas to Lekki Free Zone is a prestigious project, NIPCO Gas feels honored and grateful to be associated with this project and would like to thank NNPC Gas Marketing Limited for making NIPCO Gas their preferred JV partner, and a great thanks to LFZDC for partnering with the NGML-NIPCO Gas JV. We are deeply grateful and would like to especially thank NNPC Gas Infrastructure Company for their unhindered support and guidance and for expediting the connectivity to this prestigious project.
“We hope with deepening in the utilization of domestic natural gas will certainly help in the overall development and economy of Nigeria.”
He said the Commissioning of Lekki Gas Distribution Project was possible with the blessings of GCEO NNPC and continued monitoring by EVP Gas, Power & New Energy. Support of MD NGIC can never be ignored in the Commissioning of such a prestigious Project by NGML-NIPCO Gas partnership.
Also Speaking at the event, the managing director, NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, Mr Justin Ezeala, stated that the event was a milestone in the annals of gas infrastructure development in the country.
Ezeala commended NIPCO Gas for the effort infused in the gas project to actualise gas to Lekki Free Trade Zone.
He said that NIPCO Gas remains a remarkable and dependent company, saying that “we are indebted to NIPCO Gas commitment and professionalism.
“We are proud of all the parties involved in this success story.
“We knew the gas business revolves around us and that we could deliver seamlessly to the myriad of industries in the zone.
“We came into gas business development in the zone with a big renowned player, NIPCO Gas, that is noted for its giant strides in gas marketing and infrastructure development to enhance gas value,” he said.
Ezeala said NNPC Gas Marketing came into the business with LFZDC with an extra value alongside its partner – NIPCO Gas – a fully owned subsidiary of NIPCO Plc, which is noted for its consistency in gas infrastructure upgrade.
“NIPCO has exhibited giant efforts in pipeline construction and a penchant for customer collections. We have worked together for years and they remained one of our consistent partners of ours,” Ezeala noted.
“We are proud to be associated with NIPCO given their antecedents in gas infrastructure development. We have trust in them and look forward to this commissioning of the milestone project,” he added.
Commenting also, the managing director, of LFZDC, Dai Shunfa, he said the project will enhance development in the zone and also impact positively, adding that the gas pipeline had been connected and ready for business.
Shufa commended NIPCO Gas company for making sufficient gas available for business operations in the zone.
According to him, We are ready to take off. The gas project will contribute to the economy and also boost local community capacity.
“We negotiated the agreement with NIPCO and NGML. It has become a reality today.
“I believe this is a win-win situation for the parties. This will be a key facility for us,” said Mr Shunfa.
“We have over 100 companies in Lekki Free Zone and about 75 companies are in operations,” he said.
The proposed gas infrastructure development will enhance business development in Ibeju Lekki community and also boost economic growth in Lagos.
The managing director of the Nigerian Gas Investment Company (NGIC ) who was represented by ED P&C, Jamal Bello at the event, said that the gas distribution by NGML-NIPCO Gas JV will certainly bring more investors and mentioned that NGIC is committed to supply and transport required gas for the development of Nigeria economics