Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline construction to begin soon, says President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday November 29, said his administration would soon commence the construction of the 600-kilometre Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline, which would move gas from the Southern part of the country to the North.

President Buhari, who made the disclosure while addressing the 5th Gas Exporting Countries Forum, GECF, Summit at the Sipopo International Conference Hall, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, added that the viability of extending the gas pipeline to North Africa was also under consideration.

According to him, “we in Nigeria have led the way by the construction of the West Africa Gas Pipeline, which runs through 4 West African countries.”

President Muhammadu Buhari, also commended the foresight of the founding fathers of the GECF, “in promoting natural gas in the global energy mix.”

According to him: “The Paris Accord of 2015 signaled the first major global commitment to a deliberate effort on this inevitable transition,” stressing that, “Nigeria is proud to be one of the first signatories” to the historic Agreement.

Explaining why Nigeria and GECF members are focusing on gas development, President Buhari said: “We‘re mindful of the energy deficit in the developing world especially, here in Africa where we have nearly 600 million people without access to modern energy. As responsible leaders, it is our duty to preserve the environment not only for the present but for future generations.”

“We can achieve this balance between our energy deficit and environmental preservation needs by developing and deploying new technologies. Although classified as fossil fuel, natural gas is a viable solution to both our energy and environmental challenges.” Buhari stated.

He noted further that, “natural gas has the added advantage of availability and affordability,” stressing that, “to fully leverage this potential, nations need to pool resources to put up trans-border and trans-regional energy infrastructure.”

According to him, “we in Nigeria have led the way by the construction of the West Africa Gas Pipeline which runs through 4 West African countries.”

Declaring the Summit open, the host, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, called on members of the GECF to continue to work in harmony towards the realization of the objectives of the multinational organization.

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