Un expert de l'énergie exhorte à un examen commercial du gazoduc africain de l'Atlantique de 27 milliards de dollars

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has assured that between eight and 10 major road projects across the territory will be completed and delivered before the end of the year. During an inspection tour of ongoing road projects on Monday, Wike emphasized that the FCT Administration would not relent in fulfilling its promises to residents. He expressed satisfaction with the progress on the long-troubled Apo, Karshi corridor and the Bwari, Kubwa road link, both of which have faced challenges over the years. Wike responded to questions about the political calendar and its potential impact on project timelines by insisting that governance remains a continuous process driven by President Bola Tinubu's mandate. He dismissed suggestions that the administration should slow down its pace of work, stating that President Tinubu's term will end in May 2027, meaning the work will continue uninterrupted. Regarding the Apo, Karshi road, a project initially awarded in 2010 that suffered over a decade of delays, Wike revealed that work is now progressing rapidly under new management. This followed the termination of the previous contractor due to non-performance and the re-awarding of the contract to another company. At the Bwari, Kubwa corridor, he acknowledged the challenging terrain and cautioned contractors against pushing back on agreed delivery dates. He assured that the administration would ensure prompt fund releases to complete the road before the onset of heavy rains. The minister reiterated the goal of delivering eight to ten strategic road networks by year-end, pledging timely disbursement of funds to allow contractors to maximize the current favorable weather conditions. President Bola Tinubu has praised Minister of Works, David Umahi, on the occasion of his 63rd birthday, calling him one of his outstanding ministers. Before joining Tinubu’s cabinet, Umahi served as a senator representing Ebonyi South and previously held the position of governor of Ebonyi State from 2015 to 2023. In a statement released by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Tinubu lauded Umahi’s dedication to delivering lasting infrastructure projects across Nigeria. Tinubu commended Umahi for his passion, dedication to duty, and deep sense of patriotism. He encouraged the minister to maintain the momentum in road construction, rehabilitation, and project delivery in alignment with the administration’s vision of improving the quality of life for Nigerians and stimulating economic growth. Tinubu noted that Umahi is actively engaged in monitoring construction work nationwide to ensure compliance with specifications and approvals. The president extended his best wishes to Umahi and his family, praying for continued good health and renewed strength as he continues his public service. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced that it has completed more than 600 kilometers of roads across the Niger Delta in the past three years. The Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, shared this information during a visit by Heads of Service from across the country to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt. According to a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Ogbuku highlighted the commission’s commitment to transforming the Niger Delta through impactful projects. Ogbuku mentioned that the commission has completed over 600 kilometers of roads, along with several bridges, within the last three years. He noted that the 1.2-kilometer Kaa-Ataba Bridge, one of the country’s longest bridges, is nearing completion and will soon be inaugurated. The infrastructure improvements have boosted public confidence and enhanced connectivity across the region. Ogbuku also stated that the NDDC has digitized its operations to improve efficiency and service delivery, moving towards a paperless system in transactions, including procurement processes. He emphasized the commission’s strengthened partnerships with state governments and development partners such as Shell, Nigerian LNG Limited, and Chevron to deliver landmark projects. Additionally, the NDDC has revitalized the foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme and introduced a local postgraduate scholarship program, benefiting around 600 additional individuals in the Niger Delta. The commission has invested more than N6 billion in small businesses through the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty in the region. Ogbuku also highlighted the construction and equipping of medical facilities, as well as free medical outreach programs, as part of the commission’s achievements in the health sector. He credited increased crude oil production in the Niger Delta to improved collaboration with security agencies and youth engagement initiatives that have helped reduce oil theft. The Light Up the Niger Delta program, which provides solar-powered street lighting to communities across the region, has also been successful. Earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, commended the NDDC’s digitization initiative, aligning it with the federal government’s directive for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to adopt paperless operations. She stressed the importance of stronger collaboration with the NDDC and emphasized the need for staff welfare, training, and capacity building to enhance public service delivery. Energy expert Dan Kunle has urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend further commitments to the proposed $27 billion (approximately ₦43.2 trillion) African Atlantic Gas Pipeline. Kunle argues that the project currently lacks sufficient commercial justification and risks becoming a costly national asset with limited economic returns. In an open letter to the President dated July 23, Kunle stated that Nigeria must prioritize domestic gas utilization over ambitious regional export projects until critical questions regarding supply, financing, and market demand are resolved. Following the unanimous endorsement of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project by Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states on July 19, after the signing of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) in Lungi, Sierra Leone, Kunle criticized the project as potentially another “Memorandum of Misunderstanding.” He highlighted the discrepancy between political ambition and economic reality, noting that the project is estimated to cost about $27 billion (approx. ₦43.2 trillion). Kunle raised concerns about the source of the gas, pointing out that while Nigeria has over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven reserves, these are not equivalent to processed, commercially available gas. He warned that Nigeria continues to struggle to supply power plants and industries domestically, questioning the wisdom of prioritizing long-distance export infrastructure while the home front suffers from energy insecurity. The expert further warned that the project faces severe financial, legal, and geopolitical obstacles. Unlike the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline, which involves only three countries, the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline would traverse or connect more than a dozen West African nations, each with disparate regulatory systems, fiscal regimes, and political landscapes. Kunle questioned how participating countries would finance such a massive capital outlay and who would bear the burden if nations failed to meet their obligations. Kunle advocated for a shift in strategy, suggesting that Nigeria would derive greater economic value by converting gas into electricity and industrial products such as fertilizers, petrochemicals, methanol, and steel. He noted that Nigeria has spent decades exporting crude oil while importing refined petroleum products and argued against repeating this mistake by exporting gas as a raw material while importing products that could have been produced domestically. He recommended that Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) offers a more flexible and commercially viable alternative to a fixed transcontinental pipeline, allowing for redirected cargoes based on market demand. Kunle urged President Tinubu to direct the Presidential Petroleum Reform and Value Optimisation Taskforce, chaired by Mr. Fola Adeola, to conduct an independent commercial, financial, and strategic review of the pipeline project. He insisted that the pipeline should proceed only if it is privately financed, backed by enforceable commercial agreements, and demonstrably offers superior benefits to Nigeria compared with alternative investments.