In a significant step toward energy inclusivity and climate-conscious industrialisation, the Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated the country’s first-ever Liquefied to Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) facility in the North-East, describing the initiative as a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s gas sector journey.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, led the inauguration of the project developed by Greenville LNG, located in Yola, Adamawa State. The facility will serve as a regional hub, converting Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for domestic, industrial, and transportation use.
At the commissioning ceremony, Ekpo emphasised the symbolic and strategic importance of siting the facility in a region long underserved by critical energy infrastructure.
“For far too long, this region has faced infrastructural challenges that have stifled its economic potential,” the minister said. “This LCNG plant is not just a gas project, it is a symbol of equity, a driver of opportunity, and a declaration that the benefits of Nigeria’s vast gas resources must reach every corner of the country.”
According to a statement from his media aide, Louis Ibah, Ekpo hailed the facility as a model of successful public-private collaboration. He noted that under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, gas has been positioned as the linchpin of Nigeria’s energy transition and economic revival.
“This project represents what’s possible when innovation meets commitment. It provides a cleaner, cheaper, and more accessible alternative to conventional fuels like petrol and diesel, particularly for powering vehicles and industrial machinery,” Ekpo said.
He also underscored the facility’s alignment with the government’s ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, a long-term plan to harness Nigeria’s gas potential to drive job creation, environmental sustainability, and regional stability.
“We are not just delivering energy,” the minister declared, “we are delivering jobs, empowering communities, and building peace through inclusive development.”
Ekpo called on private investors and gas developers to replicate the LCNG model in other underserved regions of the country, stressing that the demand for cleaner energy alternatives is rapidly increasing amid global and local environmental concerns.
The Minister also expressed gratitude to the Adamawa State Government and host communities for their cooperation, particularly in securing land and providing an enabling environment for the project’s execution.
Representing Governor Ahmadu Fintiri at the event, Deputy Governor Prof. Kaletapwa G. Farauta commended the Federal Government’s resolve to decentralise clean energy access. She described the LCNG project as timely, especially for a region already feeling the adverse effects of climate change.
“Our people are living through environmental shifts that threaten health, livelihoods, and long-term development,” Farauta said. “This project aligns with Adamawa State’s vision for sustainable development and cleaner air, and we are proud to be part of this shift.”
She urged for sustained federal support in critical infrastructure and reiterated the state government’s commitment to ensuring the plant’s operational success and integration into broader regional development plans.
Chairman of Greenville LNG, Mr. Eddy Broeke, revealed the company’s broader ambition to invest over $1 billion in gas infrastructure across Nigeria. He announced that similar LCNG hubs are in the pipeline for other regions, as part of Greenville’s commitment to accelerating the country’s transition to cleaner energy.
“Our goal is to make gas accessible and affordable across Nigeria,” Broeke said. “But we need ongoing support from all levels of government to meet this ambitious target.”
The LCNG plant in Yola is expected to reduce dependency on diesel and petrol, cut emissions, and lower energy costs for households and businesses.
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