Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja Urges Immediate Action On Gas Pipeline Infrastructure For Southeast
The Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja has called for urgent action to address the exclusion of the Southeast region from Nigeria’s high-pressure gas pipeline infrastructure. In a statement issued by its President, Chidiebere Nwabueze Udekwe, the Igbo lawyers’ association congratulated the newly inaugurated Board Members of the South-East Development Commission and commended President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for their inauguration.
The group particularly acknowledged the Commission’s Chairman, Dr. Emeka Nworgu, for highlighting the need for pipeline infrastructure in the region. It stressed that this should be a top priority for the Board, as the absence of a well-connected gas network has long hindered industrialization, economic growth, and investment opportunities in the Southeast.
Call for Urgent Action
Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja urged the Board to take immediate steps to ensure the Southeast is included in national pipeline projects. The group also called on the Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company, a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to expedite the commissioning and construction of gas pipelines through the region.
“The Southeast is endowed with vast natural gas reserves, yet it remains the only region without a high-pressure gas transmission pipeline,” Udekwe stated. “This has resulted in restricted access to affordable and reliable energy, stifling economic growth and making it difficult for businesses to operate efficiently.”
The association noted that while projects like the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipeline have received significant investment, the Southeast has been largely sidelined. It also referenced the Nigerian Gas Master Plan of 2007, which initially proposed a pipeline from Aba to key cities in the region but was later altered to divert gas away from the Southeast, depriving the region of critical benefits such as power generation, industrial growth, and job creation.
Economic and Environmental Benefits
Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja emphasized that developing gas pipeline infrastructure would unlock significant economic opportunities, attract investments, and boost local industries. It noted that lower energy costs would increase disposable income for businesses and households, contributing to overall economic vibrancy. The group also highlighted the environmental benefits of natural gas as a cleaner alternative to oil, aligning with national and global sustainability goals.
Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Advocacy
The association called on the Southeast Caucus of the National Assembly, Southeast Governors, and relevant stakeholders—including the NNPC and Nigerian Gas Infrastructure Company—to address this critical infrastructure gap. It recommended commissioning a feasibility study to assess the technical and economic viability of extending gas pipelines through the region and urged proactive engagement with federal ministries and regulatory bodies to organize a stakeholder forum on implementation strategies.
“The exclusion of the Southeast from the national gas pipeline network is a significant oversight that must be corrected,” Udekwe stated. “Ensuring equitable distribution of infrastructure will unlock the region’s full economic potential and contribute to Nigeria’s overall development.”
Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja urged all relevant parties to prioritize this initiative and work collaboratively towards achieving a robust and comprehensive gas pipeline infrastructure in the Southeast.
