Mele Kyari lists benefits of Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, signs MOU

The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), Malam Mele Kyari, has listed the benefits of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project.

Kyari said that apart from helping to mitigate agaist desertification it will also drastically reduce carbon emission in Africa.

The NNPC boss, who spoke at the signing ceremony of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in Rabat Morocco yesterday, September 15, said that the project will also create wealth, and improve the standard of living of people in countries in the African region.

Kyari described the event as a very important milestone in the Nigeria Morocco Gas Pipeline project as it reaffirms the commitment of stakeholders to deliver on the project.

The NNPC boss explained that the NNPC is well positioned to advance the project by leveraging on its experience and technical capabilities ranging from gas production, processing, transmission and marketing as well as our vast experience in executing major gas infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

He said that from inception of the project to the present stage, concerted efforts have been made by the government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco which led to the “very commendable achievements recorded.”

He expressed appreciation to His Royal Majesty, King Mohammed VI of Morocco and His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for entrusting NNPC Ltd with the strategic project.

“As you are aware, our countries stand to benefit immeasurably from the execution of the project which extends beyond the supply of gas to energize the countries along the route.

“Some of the benefits include creation of wealth and improvement in standard of living, integration of the economies within the region, mitigation against desertification and other benefits that will accrue as a result of reduction in carbon emission.

“I am glad to say that NNPC is well positioned to progress the project by leveraging our experience and technical capabilities ranging from gas production, processing, transmission and marketing as well as our vast experience in executing major gas infrastructure projects in Nigeria.

“On our part, NNPC Limited will facilitate the continuous supply of gas provide other enablers such as the required land for the first compressor station for the pipeline to be deployed in Nigeria which is among the thirteen stations earmarked along the pipeline route.

“On behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, I would like to thank you all as we continue to strengthen our partnership for the benefit of our countries.”

It was earlier reported NNPC Ltd would sign an MoU on a 7,000km gas pipeline project estimated to cost $25 billion, with the National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines of Morocco (ONHYM) and the ECOWAS Commission.

NNPC and National Office of Hydrocarbons and Mines of Morocco, also signed two MoUs with Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures (SMH) of Mauritania and Petrosen of Senegal.

The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline (NMGP) Project is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco, and was conceived during the visit of King Mohammed VI of Morocco to Nigeria in December 2016.

The NMGP Project is aimed at monetization of Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources thereby generating additional revenue for the country, diversification of Nigeria’s gas export routes, and elimination of gas flaring.

The 7,000km gas pipeline when completed, will supply about three billion standard cubit feet of gas to Morocco, 13 ECOWAS countries and Europe.

The pipeline will originate from Brass Island (Nigeria) and terminates at North of Morocco where it will be connected to the existing Maghreb European Pipeline (MEP) that originates from Algeria (via Morocco) to Spain.