…FG eyes support for ailing power projects
In a major development, the $2.8 billion Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project has finally crossed the River Niger, an axis that had seriously hampered the planned completion of the project on schedule.
It was learnt that the crossing was done through the deployment of high technology facilities by Oilserv Limited, the contractors handling section A of the critical gas infrastructure.
The River Niger crossing had posed one of the most critical engineering challenges in the completion of Nigeria’s ambitious AKK gas pipeline. Initial attempts to deploy conventional techniques had failed, derailing the original project timelines and creating a significant bottleneck in Nigeria’s gas infrastructure rollout.
Although as of mid-2025, substantial progress had been made, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) reporting about 72 per cent completion of the project, the task of overcoming the barrier had been a major headache for the national oil company and the contractors.
Besides, the repeated failures and shift in construction methods had not only delayed completion dates but also escalated costs.
A note from Oilserv indicated that that the challenge has now been resolved, raising the hope that the project will be accelerated forthwith. “We have successfully crossed the 40-inch x 1.6km Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline through the River Niger using the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) special technique, minimising environmental impact.
“This major feat of engineering excellence, done within three months marks a bold advancement in infrastructure delivery across one of Nigeria’s most challenging terrains. As a vital link between regions, this achievement paves the way for greater national integration, energy sustainability and economic growth,” the company stated in the note.
Besides, Oilserv Limited, in partnership, said it had achieved the remarkable milestone to meet NNPCL mandate for the completion of the AKK gas pipeline project and remains committed to driving Nigeria’s energy transition.
Oilserv Group of Companies, led by its Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO), Emeka Okwuosa, stated that the project, spanning 614 kilometers and involving the construction of Segment A, is a crucial initiative for advancing the gas infrastructure in Nigeria.
Recall that the $2.8 billion pipeline project is the phase one of the 1,300km-long Trans-Nigerian Gas Pipeline (TNGP) project, being part of Nigeria’s Gas Master Plan to utilise the country’s surplus gas resources for power generation as well as for consumption by domestic customers. In addition, it forms part of the proposed 4,401km-long Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) to export natural gas to customers in Europe as Nigeria holds Africa’s biggest gas reserves.
“The AKK) gas pipeline is a national project strategically positioned to strengthen the reliability and resilience of Nigeria’s energy network and support long-term national stability”, the company stressed.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government is considering strategic interventions to address power tariff challenges affecting gas supply and payment structures at key NNPCL-led thermal power plants.
This development emerged during a meeting at the NNPCL: Towers in Abuja between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and NNPCL leadership led by Dr. Salihu Jamari, representing the Executive Vice President (EVP) Gas, Power and New Energy.
NNPCK warned that without timely intervention, power supply to key regions may be jeopardised, with potential economic and social impacts.
