Enugu: After more than three decades of silence, the iconic Nigergas Plant in Emene, Enugu, roars back to life—thanks to the bold intervention of Governor Peter Mbah.
Nigeria Gas Ltd was established by the late Dr Michael Okpara’s Administration in 1962 in partnership with an Italian firm, Siad Machine Impianti.
It produced acetylene, nitrogen, medical oxygen, and welding/process oxygen, and was later inherited by Enugu State after the redistribution of assets from the old East Central State.
Unveiling the plant at Emene in Enugu, Mbah said the Nigergas had so far created direct employment for over 100 skilled and semi-skilled workers.
According to him, the gas plant will create over 5,000 indirect jobs across distribution, fabrication, transportation, and the supply chain.
The governor added that the new plant had a capacity to produce 100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour.
He emphasised that the revival of the gas plant was further evidence of his administration’s commitment to revitalising state-owned moribund assets and expanding Enugu State’s economy 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.
“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,” he stated.
Mbah said the government approved a complete rehabilitation scheme and a management model that blended public ownership with private-sector performance discipline.
“The intention was clear: retain public ownership, but run the facility on modern, accountable and commercially viable lines.
“So, today, Nigergas returns to production with modernised equipment and clear technical specifications designed to meet immediate healthcare and industry needs”.
Mbah explained that the plant’s installed capacity had been upgraded to produce significant volumes of medical and industrial gases, ensuring a steady local supply and reducing dependence on distant and expensive suppliers.
“Crucially, the plant will supply liquid oxygen, medical and industrial oxygen, and acetylene gas to hospitals, welders, agro-processors and manufacturers, improving clinical outcomes and reducing production costs for businesses that are the backbone of local livelihoods.
“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 to save lives, on-demand industrial gases to lower operating costs, speed up turnaround, and keep workshops and factories running.
“These improvements ripple outward: increased industrial activity, strengthen our revenue base, and deepen 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-Nwobodo, as well as the engineering firm Ten Gas Development Ltd – a division of INDEV GROUP – for their roles.
Also speaking, Ogbu-Nwobodo stated that the gas plant had been abandoned for over three decades due to mismanagement, misappropriation of revenue, abuse of company resources, nepotism, and weak corporate governance.