The Federal Government has commenced a $100 million gas pipeline project aimed at expanding industrial activity, attracting private investment and creating jobs across the South-East.
The proposed 400-kilometre network will link gas supplies to industrial and commercial centres in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states.
President Bola Tinubu announced the development on Tuesday at an investment agreement signing ceremony in Enugu, where he was represented by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu.
The project is being implemented through the South-East Development Commission (SEDC), with an initial funding requirement of approximately $100 million.
According to the President, the pipeline is expected to improve energy access for businesses, support manufacturing and encourage the establishment of new industries across the region.
The project has identified about 150 potential customers, with estimated gas demand of 254 million standard cubic feet per day.
Tinubu said the infrastructure would support manufacturing activities in Aba, strengthen industrial clusters in Nnewi and Onitsha, attract businesses to Enugu and expand agro-processing and manufacturing in Ebonyi. It is also expected to connect Imo’s gas resources to the wider regional economy.
He noted that the initiative was designed not only to serve existing businesses but also to encourage new factories, industrial parks and investments that have been constrained by unreliable energy supplies.
The President said the SEDC had committed $3 million to the project and was working to attract additional funding from state governments, institutions and private investors.
He stressed the need for transparent project execution, environmental protection, community engagement and compliance with safety standards. He also called for clear implementation schedules and regular progress reports.
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah welcomed the initiative, describing it as an important step towards coordinated industrial development in the South-East.
Mbah said the region’s governors would support the project by accelerating approvals for right-of-way access and environmental impact assessments.
He added that the initiative could create employment opportunities for young people and reduce the need for residents to leave the region in search of work.
SEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mark Okoye said the commission had completed technical, financial and legal assessments before approving its initial investment.
Okoye disclosed that the commission was targeting up to $30 million in combined regional investment participation, including its $3 million commitment, to help mobilise the capital required for the project.
Meanwhile, GasSync, the project promoter, said the pipeline would originate from the Ohaji area of Imo State, pass through Owerri and branch towards Aba in Abia State and Onitsha in Anambra State, with extensions to Enugu and Ebonyi.
The company’s representative, Callistus Mba, said the network would reduce reliance on road transportation of compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas, potentially making gas supplies more accessible to industrial users.
The project forms part of efforts to develop shared infrastructure across the five South-Eastern states, with the government expecting improved energy supply to stimulate production, attract investment and strengthen the region’s economy.
