The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has expressed readiness to render its full contribution to the development of single gas pipeline project and to spare no effort to ensure its success.
The ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitization, Mr. Sédiko DOUKA, gave the assurance at the First Steering Committee Meeting and signing of Memoranda of Understanding between Nigeria, Morocco, Cote D’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin and Guinea related to the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline project at their Headquarters in Abuja.
“This first Steering Committee, which has been enlarged to include other stakeholders, is part of the dynamics of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the ECOWAS Commission, NNPC and ONHYM on September 15, 2022, in Rabat, Morocco, following a long process of exchanges between these three entities.
“Indeed, you will recall that ECOWAS was engaged further to the Instructions of the Heads of State and Government in the development of the West Africa Gas Pipeline Extension Project (WAGPEP), through a feasibility study approved in 2018. At the same time, Nigeria, and Morocco, through NNPC Ltd and ONHYM, have also agreed to initiate the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project (NMGP).
“The similarities between the two projects soon became apparent, and so, the need for synergy to pool efforts in order to achieve a single gas pipeline project.
“We can assure you that the ECOWAS member states are fully committed to this structuring Project. As proof, the statutory bodies of ECOWAS have ratified the decision to merge the projects into a single one; Memoranda of Understanding have already been signed between the project promoters and the National Oil Companies, and others will be signed today”, he stated.
Mr. Douka further disclosed that as part of the planning of ECOWAS’ regional power generation and transmission facilities up to 2033, indications emerged are that gas-fired power plants will account for 42 per cent of the region’s installed capacity.
He therefore stressed on the importance to swiftly initiate every necessary strategies that would guarantee efficient supply of natural gas across regions and thus meet the challenges of the future.
“The gas pipeline project is of paramount importance for our region, as it will help strengthen our electricity production/generation capacity, stimulate industrial and agricultural development, and contribute to the energy transition by using a source of energy that is cleaner than other fossil fuels”, he said.
Also speaking, the Director General of ONHYM, Amina Benkhadra said that the
gathering represents a progressive step in ensuring social and economic
development through energy security and accessibility geared towards attaining total development of Africa by Africans.
The Head of delegation for Ghana National Gas Company, General Manager, Commercial Legal Advisor, Ms. Sylvia Assimeng Archer, while commending the active involvement of the Government of Nigeria and the Kingdom of Morocco in the landmark agreement, called on participating parties to honour their commitments and seize the opportunities that lie therein and turn the MoUs into remarkable reality.
“Together, we will unlock the potential of this gas pipeline, ushering in an era of sustainable energy, economic growth and strengthened bond between our nations”, he affirmed.
In attendance were representatives from ECOWAS and national oil companies from Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana,Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco.
