The Nation Newspaper FG, Imo deepen energy, tourism partnership as ANOH gas plant ramps up
Federal and Imo State governments are deepening collaboration to drive economic growth through strategic investments in energy and tourism, with the ANOH Gas Processing Company ramping up domestic gas production and the state set to open the South-East’s first DoubleTree by Hilton hotel.
The projects, showcased on Friday in the State during the South-East leg of the Renewed Hope National Media Tour, highlight how federal policy, private investment and state partnerships are expanding energy infrastructure, strengthening power supply, boosting tourism and creating jobs. At the ANOH Gas Processing Plant in Asa, Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, officials said the 300 million standard cubic feet per day facility, a 50-50 joint venture between NNPC Limited and Seplat Energy, commenced production earlier this year and is steadily increasing output while completing its commissioning phase.
Team Lead of the media tour and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, said the investment aligns with the Federal Government’s strategy of harnessing natural gas to diversify the economy and strengthen energy security.
“Our gas potential almost equals our oil potential, and globally, if Nigeria gets it right, the revenue that will come from industrial gas and domestic gas will be much higher than what we’ve seen in the oil sector. “There’s a clear policy direction about harnessing our natural gas resources. The best validation of that is President Bola Tinubu’s approval and investment in the AKK project, now about 90 per cent completed,” he said.
Dare said the $2.8 billion, 614-kilometre Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline would boost power generation, reduce diesel dependence and stimulate industrial growth. He explained that while Seplat is the private investor, NNPC Limited represents the Federal Government’s commercial interest and provides regulatory oversight, while the Imo State Government is partnering through its investment vehicle, Orashi Energy.
“The host community involvement is guaranteed. We are also seeing Orashi investments in oil and gas, as well as energy, in the state. They are working to partner with AGPC. So, very directly, there’s a state involvement,” he said.
AGPC General Manager , Amaechi Nwogbe, said discussions were underway with the Imo State Government to deepen collaboration in the gas sector.
“There’s a meeting that’s going to take place between the state government team and AGPC management in Lagos. The idea of working with Orashi is already on the pipeline,” he said. Nwogbe said the plant processes lean gas, condensate and Liquefied Petroleum Gas from OML assets operated by NNPC Limited and Seplat.
“We started production sometime this year. We are gradually ramping up our production and are still in the commissioning phase,” he said. Although designed to process 300 mmscfd, the facility is currently producing between 150 and 170 mmscfd, supplying industrial customers including Indorama and Nigeria LNG Limited. Output is expected to increase when the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben gas pipeline becomes fully operational.
He added that the project would reduce gas flaring, promote cleaner household energy through LPG production and deliver employment, infrastructure and community development benefits under the Petroleum Industry Act. The media team also inspected the Orashi 33/11kV Injection Substation, where Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Electrification, Basil Okolie, said the facility now supplies virtually the entire New Owerri axis, providing reliable electricity that has attracted hotels and other businesses.
Okolie said the state is replicating the project with a 15MVA injection substation at Amoma Polytechnic, constructing a 50-kilometre 132kV transmission line from Owerri to Olu to energise two 60MVA transformers already installed there, while a new 330kV line from Alaoji and two 150MVA transformers at Egbu Transmission Station will further strengthen supply. He added that the state has also secured a 63MVA transformer for Okigwe under the Presidential Power Initiative.
According to him, the projects are enabled by the Electricity Act, under which Imo has enacted its own electricity law, established the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission and licensed Orashi Electricity Company to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. At the refurbished Imo Concord Hotel, now branded Imo Concorde Hilton Hotel, Commissioner for Tourism, Hospitality and Culture, Ernest Ibejiakor, announced that the hotel will commence operations in the second week of August.
While taking the team on a tour of the facility, he said the state-funded edifice, formerly the Imo Concord Hotel built by the late Governor Sam Mbakwe, has been transformed into a world-class hospitality facility with 245 rooms, including a presidential suite, making it the only Hilton-branded hotel in the South-East. According to him, the project forms part of the state’s strategy to position Imo as a regional hub for tourism, conferences and investment, while the planned River Park Resort will further expand the state’s hospitality offerings with additional five-star and four-star facilities.
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