Senator Natasha reveals NNPCL’s plan to build 5 LNG plants in Kogi
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) plans to build five mini-Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plants in Ajaokuta Local Government Area, Kogi, starting in 2025. Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content, announced this at the 13th Annual Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) forum, as reported by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel.
Akpoti-Uduaghan emphasized that the project, which will be launched next year, will be the largest concentration of mini-LNG plants in a single senatorial district in Nigeria. She expressed gratitude to the NNPC and industry experts for choosing Ajaokuta for this significant development.
She noted that the five mini-LNG plants represent a major milestone for both the region and Nigeria as a whole, and highlighted Ajaokuta’s potential to become a hub for technological innovation, particularly in the field of metallurgy. According to her, the region is well-suited for fostering innovation in metals and their application in various industries.
The senator also called for a redefinition of Nigeria’s local content policy to support national development. She argued that while capacity building has been crucial in sectors like oil and gas, Nigeria must now shift its focus to innovation, sustainability, collaboration, and market expansion in order to fully realize its potential on the global stage.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also pointed out the significant costs of offshore operations, such as deep-water rigs, which can range from $10 million to $25 million. She suggested that if Nigeria were able to manufacture these rigs locally, it could save substantial amounts of money and create numerous jobs.
In her vision for national development, she proposed a comprehensive framework focused on value creation, self-reliance, and global competitiveness. She called for refining policies like the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to ensure they remain relevant in a rapidly changing global economy.
Lastly, the senator identified four key areas for progress: policy refinement, building competitive ecosystems, optimizing value chains, and integrating Nigeria into the global market. These steps, she believes, are crucial for overcoming the country’s challenges, including unemployment, reliance on foreign technology, and underutilized resources.
