By Ndubuisi Micheal Obineme
The Federal Government of Nigeria has disclosed that the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, which is aimed to link the European market, is expected to begin in 2024.
The disclosure was made by the Honourable Minister of State Petroleum Resources, RT. Honourable Ekperikpe Ekpo on Monday, 27th November, 2023, when he received in his office a delegation of Moroccan envoys led by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nigeria, H.E Moha Ou Ali Tagma.
Speaking at the occasion, the Minister said Nigeria, with its proven 209 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves was ready and interested in the project.
In his words, “I believe by 2024 we will conclude on it. Your company has been relating with NNPC Limited and I have been receiving briefs. We also talked about it during the meeting of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Committee Parties.
“For the fact that the pipeline existing within that corridor currently is 20 inches; there is a proposal to increase the size after Togo to 46 inches so that the flow will be large enough. Currently, the world is talking about climate change and natural gas is the sure way to go with low carbon emissions, so we have to be serious about the utilization of gas for prosperity.”
In his speech, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Nigeria, H.E Moha Ou Ali Tagma said the Gas Pipeline project which started in 2016 would have the technical and economic studies concluded early 2024.
“The objective of this project is not to transport gas only but also to offer some opportunities for development of the countries between Nigeria and Morocco for supplying of energy,’’ he said.
The pipeline’s journey begins at Brass Island in Nigeria and extends to the northern region of Morocco. There, it will connect with the existing Maghreb European Pipeline originating from Algeria and extending to Spain.
The Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project is a critical infrastructure that spans across 5,600 kilometres, cutting through 13 African countries: Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco.
Once completed, it will transport gas from Nigeria to various West African nations, linking through Morocco and extending to Europe.
