Mohammed Shosanya
Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company,NIPCO Pls,is deepening its investment in the gas sector in line with its aspiration to play pivotal role in the sector.
Managing Director of NIPCO Gas, Nagendra Verma,said the integrated energy company also considers the huge investment in order to support Federal Government’s ambitious ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative.
Verma,who disclosed this to journalists during media your to the company’s facilities in Lagos,said his company has also increased
market leadership in the country.
He added that Compressed Natural Gas and Auto Compressed Natural Gas are bound to be a preferred fuel of choice due to safety, environment, economic and abundant availability reasons in Nigeria,as the country gears up to do away with fuel subsidy .
He said the number of vehicles running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) In Nigera has grown to 7,000,adding that the company will not rest on its oars in multiplying this number in no distant future.
“We started our CNG operations in 2009 in Benin City by providing natural gas to Industries by way of Piped Natural Gas and Compressed Natural Gas to automobiles by way of AutoGas (AutoCNG). NIPCO Gas is the pioneer company in CNG distribution in Nigeria.
“Presently, Nipco Gas operates 12 CNG stations in Edo, Kogi, Delta, Ogun state, and Abuja. Four CNG stations are under various stages of construction and approval in Oyo, Lagos, Akwa Ibom state, and Abuja FCT.
He said,these CNG stations cater for Auto Gas requirement of vehicles, providing a cleaner, safer, economical, proven,and indigenous fuel.
He added; “NIPCO Gas operates approximately. 40 kilometres of pipeline network in Benin city and approximately 50 km pipeline network on Lagos lbadan expressway and energies industries for their power requirements by way of providing piped natural gas (PNG).
“PNG is most economical, safe, and convenient to use.NIPCO Gas, in partnership with NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), is presently constructing approximately 80 kilometres of pipeline in phased manner from Sagamu to lbadan which will cater for industries’ power and fuel requirements.”
He said,pipeline construction work is progressing rapidly presently,stressing that first phase of pipeline construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
He added:“NIPCO Gas, in partnership with NGML, is also constructing gas distribution infrastructure in Lekki Zone. Pipeline construction within Lekki Free Zone Development Company is on.
“The pipeline and city gate station are under construction. Nipco Gas has planned to commission the gas infrastructure and start supplying natural gas to customers in Q2, 2024.”
