Akpabio to work with consortium on gas exploitation

Godswill Akpabio

Akwa Ibom Governor, Chief Godswill O. Akpabio has restated his adminisrtation’s commitment to work with a consortium of companies to ensure exploitation and harnessing of abundant gas deposit in the state for export and domestic use.

Akpabio made the pledge when the Managing Directors of Centrica Energy, Mr. Stuart Connal; Statoil Hydro, Mr. Helge Haland and that of CCC, Mr Bassem Dib paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Uyo.

He said his administration would resist any move by any body or organization to exploit and process the gas deposit in Akwa Ibom outside the state.

Chief Akpabio reiterated the determination of his government to ensure that a Gas Plant is sited in the state as soon as possible, stating “We are committed to ensuring the project becomes a reality. We are going to expedite action on this”.

The Governor, who attributed delay in fast tracking negotiations on the project to cabinet shake-up at the Federal level, commended the consortium for their readiness to establish a gas plant in the state and for branding it “1-Gas”

He advised the consortium not to relax in injecting resources due to a lull in the deregulation of gas sector as it may result in a boom as experienced in the telecommunications industry.

The State Chief Executive directed the Commissioner for Lands and Survey to go with the consortium on a tour to decide whether to site the project at Tom Shot Island or the Shoreline.

He expressed happiness to the companies for their readiness to assist in supplying gas to Ibom Power Plant located about 30 kilometres from the project site, explaining that the project would create more employment opportunities for the people as well as increase the internally generated revenue of the state.

Akpabio, however, made a case for the establishment of a gas seaport at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area, advising that since the state is making plans to obtain an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) licence for the seaport, it would be willing to discuss with international investors on this project.

Speaking for the consortium, Mr. Connal said they were in the state give the governor update on the progress of work done at the Liquefied Natural Gas project and to discuss on possibility of making the project become a reality.

He recalled that the consortium signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government and Akwa Ibom Government six months ago, saying that feasibility studies on gas supply has been completed.

The Managing Director said the project is to complement the seven-point agenda of the Federal Government and noted that the Ibom Gas Development project would produce the expected product to be called “Ibom or 1-Gas”.

Mr. Connal described the gas project as a viable investment which calls for the support of Akwa Ibom Government as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has shown willingness to join the consortium.

He said the lifespan of the project is estimated at 25-40 years with the capacity to supply gas to Ibom Power Plant as well as being supplied in European markets.