By Special Correspondent

… Plant to create 5,000 jobs, produce 100 cubic metres of oxygen, 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour

… Nitrogen, argon gas; carbon dioxide, CNG Stations in the pipeline

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Thursday, unveiled Nigergas Company Limited, revamped and upgraded by his administration after over three decades of dormancy.

Mbah said Nigergas had so far created direct employment for over one hundred skilled and semi-skilled workers, and would further create over 5,000 indirect jobs across distribution, fabrication, transport and supplies chain.

He stressed that the revival of Nigergas company, which was established in 1962 as part of Dr. Michael Okpara’s after decades of abandonment, was another proof of his administration’s commitment to reviving state-owned moribund assets and grow Enugu State’s economy from $4.4bn to $30bn.

“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,” he stated.

On Nigergas’ rehabilitation model, capacity, and expansion plan, Mbah said, “we approved a full rehabilitation scheme and a management model that blends public ownership with private-sector 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.

“The plant’s installed capacity has been upgraded to produce significant volumes of medical and industrial gases, ensuring steady local supply and reducing dependence on distant, expensive suppliers.

“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.

“The new plant has a capacity to produce 100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour; and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour.

“We will soon bring on stream these additional products: nitrogen; argon gas; carbon dioxide; and CNG stations,” he said.

He maintained that Nigergas’ revival would guarantee access to reliable medical oxygen saves lives, on-demand industrial gases to lower operating costs, speeds turnaround and keeps workshops and factories turning.

“These improvements ripple outward: increased industrial activity strengthens our revenue base, and deepens opportunities for MSMEs,” he said.

He commended the Managing Director of the Enugu State Investment Authority, and the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobod; the engineering firm, Ten Gas Development Ltd (a division of INDEV GROUP and the community leaders of Emene for their roles in resurrecting Nigergas.

speaking, Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo expressed joy that 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 had restored the lost dreams.

The Managing Director, Ten Gas Development Ltd., Chief Chike Madueke, noted that the restored Nigergas would provide training and thousands of employments for the youths of the state.

The Chairman, 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 a businessman, Engr. George Ndubeze Ugwu, also commended Mbah for not only breathing life into dead state-owned assets, but for also building infrastructure that make lives better and enable businesses to thrive.

“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,” Dr. Uduji said.

Speaking, Nollywood veteran actor and movie produce, Kanayo O. Kanayo, said, “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.”