Nigergas
…Plant to create 5,000 jobs, produce 100 cubic metres of oxygen, 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour
…Nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide and CNG stations in the pipeline
…Dr. Uduji: “Mbah, Nehemiah of our time, rebuilding broken walls”
…Kanayo O. Kanayo: “Security is working in Enugu”
Enugu State, Nigeria – In a bold move to reindustrialize the South-East and position Enugu as a major hub in Africa’s energy and healthcare economy, Governor Peter Mbah on Thursday unveiled the newly revamped Nigergas Company Limited – a facility that had been abandoned for over three decades.
Governor Mbah revealed that the rebirth of Nigergas has already created direct employment for more than 100 skilled and semi-skilled workers and is projected to generate over 5,000 indirect jobs across distribution, transport, fabrication, and supply chains.
The company, originally established in 1962 during the premiership of the late Dr. Michael Okpara, is now central to Mbah’s ambitious plan to grow Enugu State’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
“What we have revived and unveiled today is not simply metal and a network of pipes; it is the restoration of purpose, dignity and productivity to a site that once symbolised Eastern Nigeria’s industrial promise.
“When we speak of the goal to grow our GDP from $4.4bn to $30bn, it is not mere posturing. It is rooted in the conviction that Enugu can become a truly diversified, self-reliant economy, if we muster the will to do things differently to launch us to the future we dream of,” Governor Mbah said.
Revamped for Global Standards
HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu, Chairman, Enugu State Traditional Rulers
Mbah explained that Nigergas now operates under a modern rehabilitation model that combines public ownership with private-sector efficiency and performance discipline.
“The intention was clear: retain public ownership, but run the facility on modern, accountable, commercially viable lines.
So, today, Nigergas returns to production with modernised equipment and clear technical specifications designed to meet immediate healthcare and industry needs,” he stated.
The upgraded facility boasts an installed capacity of 100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour, ensuring reliable supply for hospitals, welders, agro-processors, and manufacturers across Nigeria. Plans are also underway for the production of nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide, and CNG stations to further diversify output.
“Crucially, the plant will supply liquid oxygen, medical and industrial oxygen, and acetylene gas to our hospitals, welders, agro-processors and manufacturers, improving clinical outcomes and reducing production costs for businesses that are the backbone of local livelihoods,” Mbah emphasized.
Economic Transformation with Human Impact
Governor Mbah noted that beyond its industrial significance, the revival of Nigergas will strengthen healthcare systems, reduce the high cost of importing medical oxygen, and provide affordable industrial gases to small and medium-scale businesses.
“These improvements ripple outward: increased industrial activity strengthens our revenue base, and deepens opportunities for MSMEs,” he said.
He commended the Enugu State Investment Authority, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, engineering firm Ten Gas Development Ltd (INDEV GROUP division) and the Emene community leaders for their role in the revival.
Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo hailed Governor Mbah for restoring what decades of corruption and mismanagement had destroyed:
“Although the firm established by Dr. Okpara Administration in partnership with Siad Machine Impianti was abandoned for over three decades due to mismanagement, misappropriation of revenue, abuse of company resources, nepotism, and weak corporate governance, Governor Mbah has restored the lost dreams.”
Chief Chike Madueke, Managing Director of Ten Gas Development Ltd., added:
“The restored Nigergas will provide training and thousands of employments for the youths of the state.”
Voices of Commendation
The Chairman of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu; community leader and health consultant, Dr. Joy Uduji; Chairman of Enugu East LGA, Pastor Beloved Dan Anike; and businessman Engr. George Ndubeze Ugwu all praised Mbah’s foresight in bringing dead assets back to life.
Dr. Uduji captured the sentiment in biblical terms:
“You are the Nehemiah of our time. Like Nehemiah, who came and supervised the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem, you have also come to rebuild Enugu State.”
Nollywood icon, Kanayo O. Kanayo, also highlighted a different but crucial aspect – the improving security in the state:
“It is not praise-singing, security is working here because when I come to make movies here, we usually stay out late into the night at Nike, and we are safe.”
Global Significance
With this milestone, Enugu joins the ranks of regions reviving industrial gas production for medical and industrial use, aligning with Africa’s push for self-sufficiency in healthcare and manufacturing inputs.
Kanayo O Kanayo
The new Nigergas plant positions Enugu not just as a Nigerian success story, but as a potential industrial gas hub for West Africa, supporting sustainable development, job creation, and regional trade integration. GMTNewsng
