Emmanuel Ochayi
In a move to expedite the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline, the Federal Government intensified discussions with the Kingdom of Morocco during a meeting on Wednesday, 24th January, 2024.
The meeting, held on the sidelines of a crucial gathering between Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), and Ms. Leila Benali, Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, marked a pivotal moment in the collaboration between the two nations.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, NNPC Ltd.’s Executive Vice President for Gas, Power & New Energy, and Mme Amina Benkhadra, Director General of the Morocco National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines (ONHYM), anchored discussions focused on driving the partnership to accelerate the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project. Both parties underscored the strategic significance of the project for their countries and the broader African continent, emphasizing the urgent need to bring it to fruition to combat energy poverty.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Govt Pledges Commitment To West African Gas Pipeline Project
“The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is a testament to the strong collaboration between our nations. We are committed to expeditiously completing this project for the benefit of our people and the entire African continent,” stated Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo during the meeting.
The pipeline, with a capacity of 30 billion cubic meters per year, will span 5,300 kilometers from Nigeria to Dhakia (Morocco) and an additional 1,700 kilometers from Dhakia to Northern Morocco.
The international nature of the project requires coordination with the ECOWAS Commission to facilitate inter-governmental treaties, host government agreements, and alignment with AU, UN, and other relevant international bodies.
Highlighting the broader impact of the project, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Olufemi O. Soneye, stated, “This initiative will drive the monetization of Nigeria’s gas resources, solidify NNPC Ltd.’s energy leadership in Africa, and foster economic and regional cooperation among African countries.”
As discussions progress, it is evident that both Nigeria and Morocco are committed to realizing the immense potential of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline for the collective benefit of their nations and the African continent.
