NGCC To Enhance Transparency, Unlock Investment In Gas Sector – Ekpo

The Federal Government has set up a Steering Committee and a Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) to facilitate the creation of the National Gas Infrastructure Command Centre (NGCC), a centralized digital system designed to enhance transparency, collaboration, and operational effectiveness throughout Nigeria’s gas value chain.

Endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and enabled by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, this initiative is intended to deliver immediate oversight of Nigeria’s national gas infrastructure. It is seen as a key reform in maximizing the potential of Nigeria’s extensive gas resources in response to the Presidential mandate that aims to increase natural gas production to 12Bscfd by 2030, along with improving regulatory clarity and fostering investor trust.

The NGCC will be formed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework led by the private sector, with regulatory oversight provided by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), ensuring no financial risk to the Federal Government. Engineering Automation Technology Ltd. (EATL), a local company and project champion, will oversee system design and the acquisition of funding, in collaboration with its Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

During the launch, the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, emphasized the command centre’s importance as a vital facilitator of Nigeria’s gas-to-power goals and broader industrial development within the Decade of Gas Initiative.

He indicated that the Steering Committee would offer strategic guidance, ensure policy consistency, and enhance cooperation among agencies while overseeing gradual implementation. He further explained that the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) would create the technical framework for the centre, which will include system design, data standards, operational procedures, and risk management strategies essential for a unified national command facility.

“The NGCC is a valuable national resource that necessitates collective effort and an emphasis on outcomes advantageous to all Nigerians. The government anticipates clear deliverables, actionable recommendations, and ongoing progress updates,” he stated.

Dr. Emmanuel Okon, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of EATL, referred to the initiative as a national strategic platform for real-time oversight, operational coordination, emergency management, and the enhancement of Nigeria’s natural gas infrastructure network.

He stated that the NGCC would facilitate real-time surveillance and collaboration throughout the whole gas infrastructure system, encompassing all operators to improve safety, efficiency, and the reliability of the system. He added that the platform would promote optimization and transparency across pipelines, processing facilities, and gas commercialization to enhance usage.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Patience Oyekunle, characterized the NGCC as an essential national resource that will enhance automation and coordination in the country’s gas infrastructure. She highlighted that, in addition to improving infrastructure management, the project is projected to generate job opportunities for Nigerians and foster wider industry development.

Additionally, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, the Director-General of the ICRC, emphasized the significant relevance of the NGCC, identifying it as both a transformative governance tool for the gas sector and a national security asset. He assured stakeholders that the commission would guarantee strict compliance with all regulatory standards and due diligence in carrying out the project.
In his statements, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, the Executive Vice President of Gas, Power and New Energy at NNPC Ltd, conveyed the willingness of the government-owned energy firm to engage with investors like EATL to achieve the goals set by the Federal Government for the gas industry.

The NGCC Steering Committee is led by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) as the Chair, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources serving as the Alternate Chair. Its members include representatives from the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), and the project sponsor, Engineering Automation Technology Limited (EATL).

The membership of the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) consists of delegates from EATL acting as Technical and Funding Lead, along with members from the Department of Gas and the Legal Division of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Office of the Minister of State (Gas), NMDPRA, NNPC Ltd., Gas Aggregator Company Nigeria Ltd./Gas Transmission and Expansion (GACN), and the Decade of Gas Secretariat