The Federal Government and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has kicked off a $100 million gas distribution pipeline project to boost industrialization, attract investments and create jobs in the South East.
The 400-kilometre pipeline project demand projection is estimated at 254 million standard cubic feet of gas per day and is designed to connect gas resources to industrial and commercial centres across Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi states.
Signing the investment agreement for the project on Tuesday at the South-East Gas Infrastructure Investment and Project Development Ceremony held at Hotel Presidential, Enugu, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, described the project as a strategic investment aimed at connecting the South East region’s natural gas resources to industries even as it strengthens manufacturing and unlock economic opportunities across the five states.
Commending the South East region’s entrepreneurial spirit as the country’s greatest economic assets, President’s representative said the project is aimed at building an integrated regional economy as gas infrastructure should support industrial development across state boundaries rather than serve isolated markets.
“Gas infrastructure must therefore serve industries and markets, not stop at political boundaries. That is the economic logic of regional integration,” he said.
He further revealed that the pipeline will benefit the entire 5 states in the South East; the manufacturers in Aba, Abia State, industrial clusters in Nnewi and Onitsha both in Anambra state, attract productive enterprises to Enugu State, expand agro-processing and manufacturing in Ebonyi State and connect Imo State’s gas resources to the wider regional economy.
“Our ambition is not simply to deliver gas to existing factories. It is to make possible factories that do not yet exist, industrial parks yet to be developed, and investments that have remained on the drawing board because reliable energy was unavailable.”
The President of Nigeria further revealed, “This is the model I expect from our development institutions: identify strategic economic opportunities, prepare credible projects, commit public resources responsibly and mobilize private capital at a scale government budgets alone cannot achieve.”
Commending the SEDC for committing $3 million to the gas project and establishing a framework to mobilize additional investments from state governments, institutions and private investors, he said the project’s initial phase required approximately $100 million.
“We are not investing in pipelines for their own sake. We are investing in the industries, businesses and jobs those pipelines will make possible,” the President said.
He then urged the Commission and its partners to uphold commercial discipline, transparency, environmental responsibility, community engagement and the highest safety standards throughout the project’s implementation.
“The true measure of government’s commitment is not what we promise, but what we deliver. Our ultimate objective is to translate the region’s natural resources into productive economic activity, employment and improved living standards.”
“Let the gas beneath our soil power our industries. Let that energy become production. Let production become employment. Let employment become prosperity for our people,” the President advocates.
He then urged the SEDC, state governments and project partners to establish clear implementation timelines, measurable milestones and regular progress reports, stressing that the project’s success would ultimately be measured by its ability to attract investments, revive industries, create jobs and improve the economic fortunes of people across the five South East states.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, in his remarks commended the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the SEDC.
Mbah described the Commission as the institutional vehicle needed to realize the South East’s longstanding industrialization aspirations.
“The SEDC is a commission whose time has come. It was an idea conceived many decades ago, but it took President Tinubu to establish this long-awaited dream of industrialization of the South East,” Mbah said.
Describing the signing of the investment agreement as the commencement of the investment process, Governor Mbah postulated that the initiative would help realize the region’s aspiration for a common market and coordinated industrial development.
“What we have just signed here today is an investment agreement, meaning that investment has commenced,” he said.
Mbah commended SEDC for adopting an innovative financing model that brings governments and private investors together saying the project will create opportunities for young people to build their futures in the South East rather than migrate to other parts of the country in search of jobs.
“Before now, it was our young people running out of the region in search of greener pastures. But with what we have now, our young people can sit back and find their future here in the region. This is all thanks to President Tinubu,” he said.
The governor assured the SEDC and its partners of the South East governors’ commitment towards the pipeline project, promising to expedite right-of-way arrangements and environmental impact assessment approvals.
“We, the South East governors, are committed to this. We will ensure that the right of way and EIA are given accelerated approval,” Mbah promised.
On the project timeline, Mbah revealed, “We intend to start construction in the first quarter of 2027. The project will be ready for first gas delivery in the second quarter of 2028 subject to the completion of the necessary requirements.”
The Imo State Deputy Governor Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, representing Governor Hope Uzodimma, commended President Tinubu and the SEDC for initiating the project.
Extolling the project, Ekomaru said it came at an opportune time, particularly as companies were seeking to become offtakers of gas from the Assa North–Ohaji South development.
Ekomaru urged residents to consider the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments in the Southeast in making their political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“A vote for APC is a direct vote for the continuation of this project. A bird in hand is worth more than 10 in the bush. Let’s reason wisely,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ibezim Onyekachukwu representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo commending SEDC and her achievements so far said the success of the gas pipeline will be determined by the initiative’s impact on the masses.
Ibezim calling on the people and communities through which the pipelines will run through to own and defend the project
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