The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari has said that support for NLNG will lead to immense benefits to Nigerians.
Kyari speaking during the flag off the construction of Nigeria LNG Limited’s (NLNG) Train 7 project at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Company’s plant site on Bonny Island, Rivers State also commended the Federal Government for supporting the project and called for stakeholders’ support for the project.
“Mr. President Sir, today, history is made. Despite uncertainties, your major interventions particularly in the Upstream Gas Supply were instrumental in ensuring that we move to the next step. So, Mr. President, this is history being made; this is your day.”
“Train 7 will add 35% of the current capacity to the existing 6 Trains. We also have assurances from members of the Board and our shareholders that we will take the next step of Train 8. This will create opportunities for other future investment opportunities, Kyari said.
The foundation stone was laid on behalf of President Buhari, who flagged the project virtually, by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, supported by the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Barr. Nyesom Wike CON, represented by Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo; the Amanyanabo of Grand Bonny Kingdom, His Majesty, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, Perekule XI; the Chairman, NLNG Board of Directors, His Majesty Dr. Edmund Daukoru, NLNG’s Managing Director/CEO, Engr. Tony Attah; and NLNG’s Deputy Managing Director, Engr. Sadeeq Mai-Bornu, amongst others.
Other dignitaries who graced the event are the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote; NLNG Board directors NNPC Board directors; distinguished senators, members of the Company’s Senior Management Team and other special guests.
Engr. Tony Attah, in his welcome remarks, said the benefits of gas to the country will increase on the back of this Train 7 Project. He added that Train 7 will stimulate the inflow of more than $10billion Foreign Direct Investment into Nigeria as part of the project scope; create more than12, 000 direct jobs and additional 40,000 indirect construction jobs; and develop Nigerian local capacity and businesses. He also stated that the increase in volume supply to the global market as a result of Train 7 will keep NLNG and the country on top of the suppliers’ chart as world LNG demand grows.
The Company took the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the project in December 2019. It proceeded to sign the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Contracts with the SCD JV Consortium, comprising affiliates of Saipem, Chiyoda, and Daewoo, on May 13 2020.
Train 7 Project is in fulfilment of NLNG’s vision of “being a global Company, helping to build a better Nigeria.” The project, upon completion, will support the Federal Government’s drive to generate more revenue from Nigeria’s proven gas reserves and further reduce gas flaring in the country’s upstream oil and gas industry.
The project is scheduled to span approximately five years.
NLNG is an incorporated Joint-Venture owned by four Shareholders, namely, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (49%), Shell Gas B.V. (25.6%), Total Gaz Electricite Holdings France (15%), and Eni International N.A. N.V. S.àr.l (10.4%).
