By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has secured a commitment from Jindal Group to offtake about 450 million metric standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) of natural gas to support a $4 billion investment in a 10 million tonnes per annum Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) Steel Plant.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, who noted that the plant will be located at Ibom Solutions Hub Industrial Park (ISHIP), a free zone facility in Akwa Ibom State.
According to a statement, this project is expected to create thousands of jobs and position Nigeria as a regional powerhouse for industrialization and high-grade steel production.
The agreement was sealed after a meeting in New Delhi, India between Mr Ekpo and Jindal Group Chairman, Mr Naveen Jindal, with discussions underway to finalize the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) for the supply of natural gas to the Indian firm.
As part of the agreement, ISHIP and Jindal have agreed to lease 300 hectares in the ISHIP for the project. ISHIP is a joint venture of NNPC Limited focused on housing heavy manufacturing companies in industries such as fertilizer, metal manufacturing, and petrochemicals.
During the meeting, Jindal expressed his company’s interest in investing in Nigeria due to the long history of cooperation between the two nations and his desire to support Nigeria’s drive for industrialization and economic growth.
He said Jindal Group’s interest in Nigeria stems from the country’s strategic position in Africa and its vast natural gas reserves, which are essential for producing high-quality steel using new technology.
Mr Ekpo, on his part, informed Jindal Group of the Federal Government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investors, including significant incentives to encourage and protect investments in the gas industry.
The Gas Minister assured Jindal Group of the safety and security of their investment, highlighting Nigeria’s conducive business environment and the government’s dedication to supporting the project’s successful takeoff and implementation.
Mr Ekpo also said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria’s gas industry, even as he emphasized the need for open and constructive dialogue to attract more investments and secure a thriving future for the sector.