‘GGL compressed natural gas plant 95% completed’

Nigeria’s newest investment in the gas sub-sector, Green Gas Limited (GGL) has said that its multi-billion dollar Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant, located at at Ibafon, Ogun, was 95 percent completed.

The CNG plant is a Joint Venture Company between Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO) and Nigerian Gas Compnay (NGC).

Taofeeq Lawal, Head, Corporate Affairs, NIPCO, said in an interview in Lagos that the CNG project would start operations in 2015, adding that the project was very unique in several respects as it showed the avowed commitment of the Federal Government toward resolving the petroleum products crises.

But also it proves the efficacy of the Public Private Partnership joint venture efforts of Nigerian Gas Company, a subsidiary of NNPC & NIPCO Plc., he said.

Lawal said the project would reduce the massive importation of petroleum products when the project was completed.

He said the JV sought to set-up 35 CNG filling stations in different parts of the country before the end of 2015.

He added that GGL had already established seven service stations, while 10 additional stations have reached advanced stages of construction.

A breakdown of the projects showed that four of the stations are located on Benin-Warri dual carriageway and two on Benin-Asaba dual carriageway.

One is on Benin-Lagos dual carriageway (Onitea in Ondo and Ibafo in Ogun), another one on Benin-Abuja Expressway and one in Delta.

He said CNG had become a preferred alternative to petrol and diesel, because it is colourless, odourless, non-toxic, but inflammable and lighter than air.

“CNG is not a liquid fuel and is not the same as LPG, which generally consists of propane and butane in liquid form.

“The product is relatively cheaper than petrol and diesel. Also, natural gas is a clean burning fuel that reduces vehicle maintenance costs,” the spokesman said.