The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for policy reforms that have strengthened investor confidence and facilitated the Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Ima Gas Development Project by AMNI International and TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited Joint Venture.
Ekpo described the FID as a major milestone for Nigeria’s gas sector and a strong vote of confidence in the country’s investment potential.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, the minister said the development demonstrated the growing impact of the Federal Government’s efforts to create a more competitive, predictable and investment-friendly environment for the oil and gas industry.
The Ima Gas Development Project is expected to add 350 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) to Nigeria’s gas production capacity when it comes on stream in 2028.
Ekpo said the additional gas supply would contribute to strengthening domestic gas availability and support the Federal Government’s ambition of using natural gas to drive industrialisation, energy security and economic growth.
According to him, the FID underscores the positive impact of the Executive Orders and broader regulatory reforms approved by President Tinubu to improve competitiveness, attract investment and accelerate project delivery in the oil and gas sector.
“The achievement of Final Investment Decision on the Ima Gas Development Project is a tangible demonstration of the positive impact of the policy reforms championed by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Ekpo said.
He added that the project was not merely an investment in gas production but also an investment in Nigeria’s economic future.
“Ima Gas Development Project is more than an investment in gas production; it is an investment in Nigeria’s future. It aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reinforces our collective commitment to transforming our natural gas resources into jobs, industries, revenues, and shared prosperity for the Nigerian people,” he said.
The minister commended AMNI International and TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited for their confidence in Nigeria’s investment environment and for reaching the FID stage.
He described the partnership as an example of how indigenous enterprise and international energy expertise could be combined to deliver commercially viable projects of strategic importance to the Nigerian economy.
Ekpo said successful implementation of the project would create opportunities for Nigerian businesses, stimulate employment, deepen local content participation, promote skills and technology transfer, and contribute to the growth of the domestic gas economy.
He urged the joint venture partners to sustain the momentum generated by the FID and work closely with relevant government agencies to ensure the timely and efficient execution of the project.
The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to providing the necessary policy and regulatory support for investments aimed at increasing gas production and utilisation, strengthening infrastructure and creating economic opportunities.
He said such investments were critical to achieving the objectives of the Decade of Gas initiative and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Ima Gas Development Project reflects the kind of strategic investment needed to translate Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources into tangible economic value, while supporting the country’s broader aspirations for industrialisation, energy security and sustainable economic growth,” Ekpo added.
By Louis Ibah
