By Emmanuel Kwada
The Honorable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo undertook a working visit to the Togolese Republic and to the Republic of Ghana on February 7, 2025. The purpose of the visit was to discuss issues related to the amendment of the West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) Act by the four WAGP States, namely (Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana).
The visit is the Hon. Minister’s efforts at encouraging the States to effect the necessary amendments to the harmonized WAGP legal and fiscal regime as agreed to, by the parties and to facilitate traction and passage by the respective Parliaments.
He said the amendment is to further strengthen WAPCo’s operation, to ensure a more efficient and effective supply of gas to the countries and enhance their energy needs as well as integration of the subregion.
The WAGP is a critical component of the region’s energy infrastructure, supplying gas from Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana with a reverse flow from Takoradi to Tema in Ghana
In Togo, the Hon Minister met with his counterpart, Hon. Kofi Messan EKLO, the Togolese Minister of Energy and Mines Resources who briefed the Hon. Minister on the efforts being undertaken by Togo to see to the passage of the Act in a timely manner. On his part, Ghana’s Minister for Energy and Green Resources, Hon. John Abdulai GINAPOR stated in Accra that Ghana will reconsider the concerns expressed by Ghana under the fiscal regime for necessary action.
The Hon. Minister was accompanied to the meetings by a high powered delegation which included the Executive Vice President, NNPC Ltd, Gas, Power & New Energies and Chairman, WAPCo Board, Mr Olalekan Ogunleye; the Director General, West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) Hanawa Kanya Chafari; the Managing Director, West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo), Mitchel Burket; the Chief Executive Officer of N-Gas, Aliyu Aminu and other members of the Hon. Minister’s entourage
The Ministers also discussed gas availability and supply. The WAGP is a critical component of the region’s energy infrastructure, supplying gas from Nigeria to Benin, Togo, and Ghana with a reverse flow from Takoradi to Tema in Ghana.
As the region continues to pursue its energy goals, the working visit by the Nigerian Minister and his delegation serves as a testament to the commitment of the Nigerian government to supporting the WAGP Project and promoting regional cooperation.
