The federal government has commissioned Nigeria?s first modular Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) extraction plant and a 20-megawatt gas-to-power project.

The projects were commissioned by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo at the Otakikpo field in Rivers State.

In a post on his official X account, the minister said the projects were developed by Green Energy and Lekoil Joint Venture (JV), marking a significant milestone in the country?s gas sector.

The newly Inaugurated projects are expected to boost Nigeria?s domestic gas utilisation, enhance energy access, and contribute to economic growth in the region.

Before the official commissioning, the JV management led the minister on a tour of key facilities, including the power plant, LPG extraction plant, Early Production Facility (EPF), and a land terminal ? the first to be built by an independent company in Nigeria.

Commending the JV for its efficient execution of the projects, Ekpo highlighted the strategic use of local resources and the importance of community collaboration. He also acknowledged the peaceful coexistence between the host communities, traditional rulers, and the operating companies, which contributed to the timely completion of the projects.

?These projects will create opportunities for a robust gas economy, provide electricity for the communities, create jobs for youths, and offer other benefits aligned with President Bola Tinubu?s Renewed Hope Agenda for the country,? Ekpo added.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by key government officials, including the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Ambassador Nicholas Agbo Ella. They were received by the JV?s leadership, comprising Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe, Chairman of Green Energy International, and Mr. Olalekan Akinyanmi, Chief Executive Officer of Lekoil.

The federal government also pledged to increase the pace of citizens? access to clean cooking from an initially proposed trajectory of 22 per cent per year to 25 per cent annually. (Channels TV)

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