Tinubu: Nigeria Will Deploy Gas Resources to Create Jobs, Boost Exports

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to unlock Nigeria’s vast gas resources to power industries, improve electricity supply, create jobs and boost export earnings.

 

The President stated this when he received the Founder and Chairman of Lee Engineering Group, Chief Dr. Leemon Ikpea, at the State House, Abuja.

 

Ikpea briefed the President on the progress of two midline compressor stations being built by the indigenous firm in Edo State to enable the Escravos-Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) operate at its full capacity of 2.3 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day.

 

Although the ELPS capacity was expanded from 1.1 billion to 2.3 billion scf/d under the ELPS II project, the pipeline has been unable to deliver at full capacity without the compressor stations to raise operating pressure.

 

Once completed, the project will enhance gas supply to power plants and industries along the Escravos-Lagos corridor, support increased gas delivery to neighbouring West African countries through the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP), and generate additional export revenue for the country.

 

President Tinubu said his administration’s Nigeria First policy must translate into more contracts for competent Nigerian firms, greater utilisation of locally manufactured equipment, and more skilled jobs for Nigerians. He urged international oil companies (IOCs) operating in Nigeria to partner more with indigenous engineering companies that have demonstrated capacity to deliver complex projects.

 

He noted that the 2024 Executive Orders and Presidential Directives on local content compliance, contracting costs and approval timelines were introduced to attract investment, reduce delays and expand opportunities for Nigerian businesses.

 

Earlier, Ikpea commended the President’s Nigeria First policy and disclosed that components for the compressor stations are being fabricated at Lee Engineering’s yard in Warri, Delta State, which houses some of the most advanced fabrication equipment in the industry.

 

He said Nigerian companies have invested heavily in modern technology, equipment and skilled manpower and can now execute complex Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) projects previously handled by foreign contractors, thereby retaining jobs, expertise and economic value within Nigeria.