Proposed Kogi power plants critical for development – Natasha
The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited plans to establish five mini Liquefied Natural Gas plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, by 2025.
Akpoti-Uduaghan described the projects as pivotal for local development, stating, “This will be the largest concentration of such projects in one district in the entire country. It’s a remarkable step forward, not just for Ajaokuta but for Nigeria.”
Speaking at the 13th Annual Practical Nigerian Content Forum in Uyo, Akpoti-Uduaghan called for a paradigm shift in Nigerian content development, emphasising innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
She stated the need to redefine Nigerian content beyond the Oil and Gas sector.
According to her, the focus should expand to include sectors like ICT, renewable energy, and manufacturing to position the country for comprehensive development.
“For decades, Nigerian content has been synonymous with the development of local capacity in the Oil and Gas sector,” she said. “While this foundation is commendable, we must now embrace a broader perspective, encompassing innovation, sustainability, and market expansion to drive a holistic transformation across sectors,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan also lamented Nigeria’s dependence on foreign technologies and the underutilisation of local resources, stressing the economic benefits of localising production processes.
She pointed out the high costs of importing drilling rigs, which are primarily made of steel, and urged the country to invest in local manufacturing.
The senator proposed a framework prioritising policy refinement, competitive ecosystems, value chain optimisation, and global market integration.
