On Thursday, October 12, Nigeria’s Minister for Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, issued a strong call to action to the contractors involved in the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, urging them to ensure the project’s readiness by July or August 2024. This significant development was communicated via a statement shared on the minister’s official Twitter account.
Minister Ekperikpe Ekpo, who personally inspected the construction site during his tour, expressed his concerns about the sluggish pace of work on the project. In particular, he sought answers from Oilserve Limited, the contractor responsible for handling the first segment of this monumental undertaking, regarding the precise completion timeline.
The statement released during the tour conveyed the minister’s clear message: “Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has charged contractors handling the 614-kilometer Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano (AKK) gas pipelines project not to default on the promised July/August 2024 completion deadline.”
The significance of this tour was underscored by the presence of key figures from Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. They converged on Pai Village in the Kwali Area Council of Abuja to assess the progress of the Pai River Crossing, a crucial phase of the extensive 614-kilometer Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project.
Among the members of the delegation were Olalekan Ogunleye, the Executive Vice President of Gas, Power & New Energy, who represented Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), and Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). The honorable Minister for Gas, Ekperikpe Ekpo, was also present.
The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, a pivotal infrastructure initiative, is making use of advanced Horizontal Directional Drilling Technology to expedite its execution. This approach underscores the commitment to employ cutting-edge methods for optimal results. Oilserv Limited, acting as the Segment A Contractor on behalf of NNPC Limited, is actively engaged in the implementation of this ambitious endeavor. Their involvement highlights their dedication to advancing this vital national infrastructure project.
According to the NNPCL, Oilserv Limited’s commitment is manifested through timely project deliveries, close collaboration with Government Security Agencies, and active engagement with local communities. Additionally, they employ state-of-the-art technology to ensure the successful completion of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project.
The Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project holds substantial significance in Nigeria’s developmental landscape. It aims to enhance the accessibility and distribution of natural gas across the nation, serving as a critical conduit for gas supply throughout the country.
Notably, in August 2023, the Tinubu administration initiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the 1350-megawatt Gwagwalada Independent Power Project (IPP). This project will heavily rely on the AKK Pipeline for its gas supply. During the groundbreaking event, Mele Kyari, the CEO of NNPCL, emphasized that the Gwagwalada IPP would be powered by the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project, currently under development.
It’s important to mention that in April 2023, the NNPCL reported that the AKK gas pipeline was already 70% complete, with a substantial investment of $1.1 billion. This underscores the significant progress made on this critical infrastructure project and the nation’s commitment to its successful realization.
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