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• September 3, 2025
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Motorists, commuters laud Ogun govt as Abeokuta-Sango-Ota-Lagos Expressway wears new look

As construction work continues on the Abeokuta-Ifo-Sango-Ota-Lagos expressway, motorists and commuters have expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work done so far on the ever-busy road. It will be recalled that the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on the 23rd of August last year, flagged off the reconstruction of the expressway with an
Motorists, commuters laud Ogun govt as Abeokuta-Sango-Ota-Lagos Expressway wears new look

As construction work continues on the Abeokuta-Ifo-Sango-Ota-Lagos expressway, motorists and commuters have expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work done so far on the ever-busy road.

It will be recalled that the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on the 23rd of August last year, flagged off the reconstruction of the expressway with an 18-month completion timeline.

Five gangs are working simultaneously at Olomore, Midgad/Metroxide, Papanlanto Junction, Owode, and the Toll Gate axis, where earthwork, stone base, and drainage have been completed while asphalt is being laid.

The failed portions at Brewery, Obada, and Itori Junction up to Lafarge Cement Factory, Ewekoro have been repaired and opened for motorists.

The Olu of Itori, Oba Abdul Fatai Akorede Akamo, while fielding questions from newsmen, noted that the road had been in deplorable condition for a long time due to abandonment by both the federal and previous state governments.

He said: “This road has been abandoned for so many years, and I thank God that Governor Dapo Abiodun took the bull by the horns and committed to doing the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta road.

“Though it is a federal road, Governor Abiodun said he would complete the road, and he has started it. Our governor is a man of his word, and his word is his bond.

“I have never witnessed such a governor in the state since my enthronement who says something and achieves it. We will tell our stories by ourselves; the giant stride of the governor on this road is still unbelievable.

“Governor Dapo Abiodun is a man of the people; he feels the people’s pain, and the governor is doing fine because he has someone at his back. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been our governor’s pillar of support.

“What he met on the ground when he became the governor was so sad, but today, we thank God that God has revealed Himself.”

A transporter, Opeyemi Akindele, who plies the Abeokuta-Papalanto route, commended the contractor handling the project for a job well done, adding that with the construction, the rate of accidents has reduced, while traffic bottlenecks are now a thing of the past.

“What I can say about this road is that we drove one-way because the road was in terrible condition before now. Some portions of this road used to be like swimming pools, but the current government of Governor Dapo Abiodun has done very well by fixing this road.

“There have been some governors before Governor Abiodun who did not do anything on this road, but Governor Abiodun is working on it now. We can’t say he is not doing anything; he is doing very well with this road.

“The movement of vehicles along this axis is now very smooth compared to before. In the past, we used to have constant breakdowns of our vehicles because of the state of the road,” he said.

He, however, called for the provision of a trailer park between Papalanto Junction and Lafarge Cement Plant so that articulated vehicles would not block the road.

Also speaking on the current state of the road, a resident of Papalanto, Ololade Anjolaoluwa, said: “The road was very bad before now; the traffic around here was huge in the past, but now, we thank God that the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun has come to our aid.”

Another resident, Akande Michael, appreciated the current state of the road, calling on the contractor to redouble their efforts and deliver the job on time.

“There are a lot of changes on this road, even though work is still ongoing.

“I can testify that accidents have ceased to happen on this road because the Ogun State Government commenced reconstruction. We are very happy and appreciate the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration.

“From Itori to Papalanto, they are doing a fantastic job there, and I commend them,” he added. Ali Adoyi

Motorists, commuters laud Ogun govt as Abeokuta-Sango-Ota-Lagos Expressway wears new look

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• September 3, 2025
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NMDPRA holds publich hearing with three states to be linked by gas pipeline

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has held a public hearing in Abia State on the application submitted by a company to construct and operate a major gas pipeline that will link Delta, Imo, Abia and Akwa Ibom States. Kwale Pipeline Limited is seeking licenses for three pipeline projects: 24-inch by 249
NMDPRA holds publich hearing with three states to be linked by gas pipeline

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has held a public hearing in Abia State on the application submitted by a company to construct and operate a major gas pipeline that will link Delta, Imo, Abia and Akwa Ibom States.

Kwale Pipeline Limited is seeking licenses for three pipeline projects: 24-inch by 249 km gas pipeline from Kwale Gas Processing Plant in Delta State to Aja Energy FZE at the SPFL Gas and Petrochemicals Free Zone in Akwa Ibom State.

It is also seeking to build 34-inch by 150 km gas pipeline from Uguali facility in Imo State to Aja Energy FZE in Akwa Ibom State, and a 10-inch by 249 km gas pipeline from Kwale Gas Processing Plant in Delta State to Aja Energy FZE in Akwa Ibom State.

The hearing which took place in Umuahia, brought together community leaders where the pipeline would pass, security agencies, government officials and company representatives.

The Special Assistant to Governor Alex Otti on Lands, Okorugo Aji who spoke on behalf of Abia State Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Chaka Chukwumerije, said the initiative would open up economic development of Abia State.

In their own speeches, representatives of Kwale Pipeline Limited, Mrs Nwobodo Oluchi and Mr Anthony Asuka pledged that local communities would benefit from surveillance contracts, employment, and compensation in line with Nigerian laws.

NMDPRA’s representative, Eze Ordu, noted that the project could attract the establishment of a gas substation in Ukwa, potentially creating hundreds of jobs for local youth.

Traditional leader of Umunteke autonomous community, Eze Jackson Ibe and Eze Tony Nwagbara of Ohambele autonomous community, commended Governor Alex Otti for his achievements and called for accelerated development of Ukwa land through her rich petrogas resources.

NMDPRA holds publich hearing with three states to be linked by gas pipeline

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• September 3, 2025
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NUPRC: Investors not swayed by slogans but respond to clarity, fairness’ – CEPAI

The signing of Production Sharing Contracts, PSCs, for two offshore oil blocks between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, and the TotalEnergies–Sapetro consortium has been described by stakeholders as a clear sign of renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector. Under the supervision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, the process, which
NUPRC: Investors not swayed by slogans but respond to clarity, fairness’ – CEPAI

The signing of Production Sharing Contracts, PSCs, for two offshore oil blocks between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC, and the TotalEnergies–Sapetro consortium has been described by stakeholders as a clear sign of renewed investor confidence in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

Under the supervision of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, the process, which began in December 2024 with a competitive bid round, involved blocks spanning about 2,000 square kilometres in the prolific Niger Delta Basin.

The process involving Petroleum Prospecting Licences (PPLs) 2000 and 2001, was finalised in Abuja on Tuesday.

Speaking on the development, the Executive Director of the Centre for Energy, Policy and Investment, CEPAI, Dr Chika Patrick, said the decision of long-established operators such as TotalEnergies and Sapetro to commit fresh capital into deep water exploration was a vote of confidence in the reforms championed by NUPRC Chief Executive, Gbenga Komolafe.

“Investors are not swayed by slogans; they respond to clarity, predictability, and fairness. The presence of companies with decades of operations in Nigeria stepping forward to take on new frontier assets reflects the trust they now place in the regulatory and governance environment crafted by NUPRC under Komolafe’s stewardship,” Dr Patrick explained.

He added that the PSC framework under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had repositioned Nigeria’s oil sector by embedding obligations on royalties, profit oil sharing, host community development, environmental safeguards, and decommissioning plans.

Dr Patrick said the commission under the leadership of Gbenga Komolafe had brought renewed vigour and credibility to Nigeria’s upstream oil and gas sector, particularly by strengthening transparency, competitiveness, and fiscal discipline.

“The successful conclusion of the Production Sharing Contracts for PPLs 2000 and 2001 underscores the profound changes that have taken root in Nigeria’s oil industry under the NUPRC. What we are witnessing is the fruit of deliberate reforms that prioritise transparency, investor confidence, and national interest,” Dr Patrick said.

He further noted that the commission’s role goes beyond supervising transactions, stressing that its oversight of licensing terms, cost recovery structures, host community obligations, and environmental safeguards positions Nigeria as a competitive and responsible player in the global energy landscape.

“What this means for Nigeria is more than just oil. It translates to improved reserves, stronger energy security, new jobs, and deeper local content.

“The framework ensures value to the federation through signature bonuses, royalties, production milestones, and profit oil sharing, while also placing firm obligations on investors to develop host communities, comply with environmental remediation standards, and plan responsibly for decommissioning. These are the hallmarks of a regulator that is not only forward-looking but also uncompromising in protecting national interest,” he said.

Dr Patrick also recalled the growing recognition Komolafe has attracted internationally and within Nigeria for his reformist leadership, citing the Servicom Distinguished Trailblazer Award, the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Award for Driving Energy Policy Reforms, and the prestigious recognition bestowed at the 2025 Africa Energies Summit in London.

“These awards are not ceremonial; they are testimonies of impact. They validate the transformational journey Nigeria’s upstream sector has embarked upon. Under Komolafe, NUPRC has become not just an industry regulator, but a symbol of how bold reforms and strong institutions can rewrite the story of an entire sector,” Dr Patrick noted.

He added that the benefits of the new PSCs extend beyond the oil companies, as the contracts would create space for the growth of indigenous service firms, encourage technology transfer, and accelerate the country’s decarbonisation commitments.

NUPRC: Investors not swayed by slogans but respond to clarity, fairness’ – CEPAI