The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Olawale Edun, has expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far on the Ajaokuta- Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, which is being spearheaded by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd).

While commending the team handling the multi-billion-naira project for their doggedness and dedication, the Minister, who spoke while on a visit to its Kaduna section, emphasised the importance of the project to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s strategy to grow the economy and create jobs.

He stated that the Federal Government is committed to providing all necessary support towards ensuring the completion of the project within six to nine months.

Edun, alongside the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, were received by the Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Hadiza Balarabe, who represented Governor Uba Sani.

The multi-billion-naira project aims at expanding Nigeria’s gas pipeline network in response to growing power demand and the need for gas-based industries. This ambitious project features a 40-inch by 614-kilometer pipeline stretching from Ajaokuta to Kano, complete with intermediate and terminal gas facilities.

The project, will among other things, boost power generation, revitalise dormant industries, promote new industrial development and provide alternative transportation fuels along its corridor.

In addition, thousands of employment opportunities will be created, as well stemming the rate of deforestation, while also transforming Nigeria’s energy landscape through the provision of alternative fuel for power, cooking, transportation and industrial activities in key states like Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano.