– As WAPCo leadership changes
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to uninterrupted natural gas supply to West African nations, as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, met with both the outgoing and incoming Managing Directors of the West African Gas Pipeline Company, WAPCo.
In a statement on X, Ekpo, who also serves as Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the West African Gas Pipeline, lauded the leadership of outgoing Managing Director, Ms. Michelle Burkett, while welcoming her successor, Mr. Abiodun Bodunrin.
“I would like to sincerely thank Ms. Michelle Burkett, the outgoing Managing Director, for her visionary leadership and the numerous achievements recorded during her tenure,” Ekpo said.
“I would also like to welcome Mr. Abiodun Bodunrin, the new Managing Director, and assure him of my full support as he works to deliver a reliable and uninterrupted gas supply from Nigeria to consumers through the West African Gas Pipeline project.”
Ekpo reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to energy security in the subregion, describing natural gas supply to Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana as a “top priority” in the fight against energy poverty.
“Let me reiterate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to strengthening energy security in our subregion, with natural gas supply to Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana being a top priority to combat energy poverty and stimulate economic prosperity across West Africa,” the minister stated.
The West African Gas Pipeline is a critical regional infrastructure linking Nigeria’s gas reserves to neighbouring countries, with the goal of boosting industrialization, powering homes, and reducing dependence on more expensive and polluting energy sources.
The leadership change at WAPCo comes at a time when the project is under increasing pressure to ensure consistent supply, amidst growing regional energy demand and calls for sustainable development.
Industry observers say the renewed commitment by Nigeria’s government could help reinforce investor confidence and deepen cooperation among the four partner nations.
WAPCo, owned by a consortium of public and private sector entities, has been a key driver of regional energy integration since its commissioning, transporting Nigerian gas via a 678-kilometre pipeline to markets in West Africa.
