Oando PLC, as a consortium partner, attended the flag-off ceremony for the construction of the $2.8billion, 40 inch by 614km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Project (the 'AKK Pipeline'), by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR on Tuesday, June 30, 2020.

The AKK Pipeline Project, championed by two consortia comprising select indigenous and international companies commenced in 2013 with the announcement for tenders by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). In April 2018, the Company announced that following an extensive due diligence and bid process, the Oilserv-Oando PLC consortium was awarded the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) mandate for segment 1, accounting for 40' by 303.4km linear pipeline system for the Ajaokuta to Kaduna portion of the AKK Pipeline Project by the NNPC.

The AKK Pipeline Project which will originate from Ajaokuta in Kogi state, traversing Abuja, Niger, Kaduna states, finally terminating in Kano state is the largest gas pipeline project in Nigeria's history. The project, expected to be completed within a 24-month timeline, is a 614km section of the Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) with the capacity to transport about 2.2billion cubic feet of gas per day. It will boost domestic utilization of natural gas for Nigeria's social economic development when completed.

The project will support the addition of 3,600 megawatts of power to the national grid and connect energy demand from the Northern part of Nigeria with supply from the South thereby enabling power-starved communities across the Northern region to have greater access to electricity. In addition, it will provide stranded commercial and industrial customers with a cleaner, more efficient source of self-generated energy. The project will enhance uptime at industrial clusters, enabling heavy duty plants in Northern parts of the country to return to internationally competitive operations. Furthermore, it will significantly curb gas flaring in the Niger Delta and guarantee better air quality in the oil producing region whilst preserving the ecosystem.

Commenting on the AKK Pipeline Project, the Group Chief Executive, Oando PLC, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, said: 
'As a proudly Nigerian company, focused on driving indigenousparticipation we have always been proponents of public private partnership in accelerating the actualization of the nation's goals. We have aspired to play an integral role in the building out of the National Gas Infrastructure and Pipeline Grid, as evidenced by our efforts in 2009, post theNigerian Gas Masterplan when we participated in the unrealized Calabar- Ajaokuta- Abuja-Kano(CAAK) line. We have developed strategic partnerships with both private sector players and the NNPC in bringing sustainable solutions to spur the development of the country via our numerous gas development and distribution projects. We commend the NNPC for spearheading projects that will soften the headwinds occasioned by the global COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud tobe active participants in driving the country's industrialization and actualization of the Gas Master Plan which will undoubtedly create employment opportunities and ultimately generate as well asenhance value for the nation.'

Oando has a corporate history of many firsts and successes in the gas and power sector. The Company was the first private sector player to enter gas distribution in Nigeria and pioneered gas distribution in the Greater Lagos area with the aim of spurring industrialization. With over 280km in gas pipeline infrastructure built, the Company has also been able to provide unique energy solutions through its erstwhile subsidiaries:

• Gaslink Nigeria Limited whose gas pipeline network spans Ijora through Lagos Island's Marina axis
• The East Horizon Group Company which operates a natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline traversing Akwa Ibom and Cross River States
• The Central Horizon Group Company, focused on the rehabilitation, operation and expansion of the existing natural gas distribution network in the Greater Port Harcourt City and Trans-Amadi

Other notable gas projects under the Company's name include the development and management of the Alausa and Akute Independent Power Plants as well as a Compressed Natural Gas Plant that delivers CNG to industrial customers within a 250km radius of the Mother Station in Lagos. All gas infrastructure projects that offer clean and affordable energy solutions, which equate to significant cost advantages for industries across the country.

KeyFacts Energy: Oando Energy Nigeria country profile   l   KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Oilserv