NIGERIA – Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the construction of the 40-inch x 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline project.

The move according to Africa Energy Portal is in line with  Federal Government of Nigeria’s aspiration to boost domestic utilisation of gas in the country.

The AKK gas project was conceptualised as an integral part of the Nigerian Gas Master Plan (NGMC), a gas infrastructure blueprint, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2008.

The AKK is ultimately designed to complement other major domestic gas transmission systems namely: the Western System, that is, the existing 36-inch Escravos-Lagos Pipeline I and II with 2.2 billion cubic feet per day capacity and the On-going East-West connection via the OB3 pipeline featuring 2.4 billion cubic feet per day capacity.

The project, according to a report by Africa Energy Portal is expected to be completed within a 24-month timeline and is a part of the Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) with the capacity to transport about 2.2billion cubic feet of gas per day.

A release by Dr Kennie Obateru, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), explained that the launch was performed virtually from the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.

The AKK gas pipeline which would originate from Ajaokuta, in Kogi State and traverse Abuja (FCT), Niger, Kaduna and terminate at Kano, would boost domestic utilisation of natural gas for Nigeria’s social-economic development when completed.

According to Dr. Obateru, the AKK gas pipeline project would also inject 2.2billion cubic feet of gas to the domestic market.

Upon completion, the AKK gas pipeline project is expected to support the addition of 3,600MW of power to the national grid and revitalize textile industries which alone boasts of over 3 million jobs in parts of the country.

The AKK project is also expected to support the development of petrochemicals, fertilizer, methanol and other gas-based industries thereby generating employment opportunities and facilitating balanced economic growth.

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