BENJAMIN KALU HAILS PROPOSED 400KM SOUTH EAST GAS PIPELINE, SAYS PROJECT WILL BOOST INDUSTRIAL GROWTH
Yesterday, I had the honour of representing His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the South East Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Investment Ceremony, hosted by the South East Development Commission (SEDC) at Hotel Presidential in Enugu.
This is indeed a big moment for our region, a significant step towards unlocking our economic potential. With reliable gas network, industries get cheaper, more dependable energy, and rely less on expensive alternatives. That means more investment, more factories running, and more jobs for our people.
The proposed 400-kilometre gas pipeline network, connecting the ANOH Gas Processing Plant in Imo State to major commercial and industrial centres across the five South East states, represents a strategic investment in our region’s industrial future.
For us as a region, this project is far more than gas infrastructure. It means more competitive manufacturing in Aba, stronger industrial clusters in Nnewi and Onitsha, new investments and productive enterprises in Enugu, greater opportunities for agro-processing and manufacturing in Ebonyi, and a stronger connection between Imo State’s gas resources and the wider regional economy.
These are not five separate economies; they are interconnected parts of one regional economic system.
I commend the Board and Management of SEDC, led by Mr. Mark Okoye, for thinking ahead and choosing projects that speak directly to our region's needs, and for building the partnerships that will make them happen.
My gratitude goes to the President for his attention to the development of the South East and his support for development commissions across the country through interventions that create opportunities for economic growth.
I also appreciate the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, for the warm hospitality and to the Commission, ensuring that the SEDC succeeds in delivering on its mandate for the benefit of the entire South East.
The task before us is to turn our region’s enormous economic potential into tangible progress for our people and I am confident that with strategic infrastructure, effective partnerships and sustained commitment, we can build a South East where industries thrive, businesses grow and prosperity reaches more communities.
