President Muhammadu Buhari has flagged off the construction of the $10 billion seventh gas plant of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, in Bonny, Rivers State.
The gas plant, commonly known as Train-7, when completed is expected to add around 8 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas to NLNG, taking the company’s total production to around 30 million tonnes per annum.
The president, who performed the groundbreaking virtually, urged the project managers to deliver on time, so as to pave the way for the commencement of the Train-8 project.
Buhari commended the management of NLNG and its shareholders for proving that a Nigerian company can operate a world-class business in safety, profitability and responsibility.
He disclosed that NLNG earned revenue of $114 billion over the years, paying $39 billion in taxes and $18 billion in dividends to the federal government.
“Through a decade of gas initiative which I recently launched, we will transform Nigeria into a natural gas and Industrial nation with gas playing the key role and revenue earner.
“My administration is focused on boosting the development of our abundant gas resources, strengthening the gas value chain, developing the most needed infrastructure and enhancing safe operations in the sector as outlined in the national gas policy of 2017,” he said.
Present at the ground breaking ceremony are the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva; Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote; Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari; Managing Director, NLNG Ltd Engr. Tony Attah and Group General Manager of NAPIMS, Mr. Bala Wunti, among others.