LPG Infrastructure; NNPC Begins Expansion

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that it is embarking on expansion of LPG handling infrastructures across the country.

The Corporation said the step was in line with its aggressive policy to grow local consumption of the cooking fuel even as it targets 10 per cent  market share of the global Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market.

Group managing director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who disclosed this during the opening ceremony of the 8th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Abuja, said the plan includes expansion of the NNPC LPG storage facility at Apapa from 4,000 metric tons, mt to 8,000mt in the first phase, the construction of pipelines to deliver LPG to plants in the hinterland and development of coastal supply facilities.

The GMD, who was represented by the chief operating officer, Downstream, Engr. Henry Obih, said that the Corporation was determined to invest in making LPG available to Nigerians to discourage the current trend of using firewood and other unsafe means for cooking, stressing that it was time to bring LPG closer to the people and at affordable price.

In a presentation entitled: “Strategic Direction – Driving Nigeria’s LPG Future,” the GMD said significant investment has been made by the Corporation to address the challenges of products deficit.