Nigeria Deepens Gas Development, Commissions WAGL’s 40,000 CBM LPG Vessel In South Korea
By Sunday Etuka, Abuja
In a strategic move aimed at deepening gas development and affordability in the country, the Federal Government of Nigeria, has commissioned a 40,000 cubic meters (CBM) Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) vessel, christened “MTIyaloja (Lagos),” in Ulsan, South Korea.
Speaking while commissioning the gas vessel, President Bola Tinubu, says Nigeria ispoised to deliver clean and sustainable energy solutions not just in-countrybut also across Africa and beyond.
According to a statement made available on Monday by theNigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), the vessel owned byWAGL Energy Limited (an NNPC Ltd. /Sahara Group Joint Venture) is a dual-fuel,fully refrigerated LPG carrier.
“This latest addition brings WAGL’s total LPG vessel capacity to 162,000 CBM. Other vessels in the fleet include MT Africa Gas, MTSahara Gas, MT BaruMK, and MT Sapet,” the statement disclosed.
It said President Tinubu who was represented by theMinister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, commended WAGL Energy Limited, NNPC Limited and Sahara Group, for their strategic foresight, technical excellence and unwavering dedication to expanding Africa’srole in the global clean energy value-chain.
The statement also quoted the Group Chief ExecutiveOfficer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, to have describedWAGL’s LPG Vessel as a great addition to gas development efforts in Nigeria.
The GCEO, who was represented by the Executive VicePresident, Gas, Power & New Energy, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, added that thevessel will be crucial in realising the impact of gas in Nigeria’s economicdevelopment.
According to him, NNPC Ltd. is deepening its commitmentto ensure LPG affordability, availability and access, nationwide.“NNPC Ltd. is proud to be a major shareholder in this indigenous Company which in addition to the newly commissioned MT Iyaloja(Lagos), owns four (4) other LPG vessels in its growing fleet, delivering over6 million MT of LPG across West Africa over the last 5 years,” he added.
Also speaking, according to the statement, WAGL’sChairman/Executive Director at Sahara Group, Mr. Temitope Shonubi, noted that the company’s expansion demonstrates its vision of responsibly driving effortsaimed at bridging the continent’s critical energy infrastructure gap.”
“The addition of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) embodies thespirit of progress and empowerment championed by the iconic Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, whose legacy we honour. Sahara Group is proud of its partnership with NNPC Ltd. and reaffirms its commitment to partnerships that drive energy accessin Africa,” he added.
WAGL’s Managing Director, Mr. Mohammed Sani Bello stressed that the company is dedicated to expanding its integrated supplynetwork across the entire energy value chain.
“WAGL already has plans to further expand the fleetwithin the next two years with the addition of a Small Gas Carrier and a VeryLarge Gas Carrier (VLGC),” he added.
The symbolic ribbon cutting of MT Iyaloja (Lagos) namedin honour of Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, MFR, (the late mother of President BolaAhmed Tinubu), was performed by her grand-daughter, the Iyaloja-General ofNigeria, Alhaja Folasade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo.
