Senate Probe:’ NNPCL Not Responsible for AKK Gas Pipeline Project Delay’ 

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

One of the contractors for the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project, Brentex CPP Limited (BCL), has refuted media reports blaming the delay of the project on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). 

The company affirmed that it has received substantial support from NNPCL in delivering its segment of the AKK Gas Pipeline Project.

Brentex gave the clarification following its appearance at a Senate Committee on Local Content hearing, chaired by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday. 

Some reports had claimed that Chairman of Brentex CPP Limited, Sani Abubakar,  informed the committee of attempts by NNPCL to descope the $1.27 billion station component of the contract.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Brentex absolved NNPCL of any wrongdoing mentioned in those reports. 

The company clarified that the committee had requested BCL to confirm its commitment to deliver its segment (318 km x 40” Segment 2) of the project by the first quarter of 2025.

Brentex responded by stating that it has completed over 80% of the actual pipeline construction work, including crossings. 

The company added that it is collaborating with NNPCL to deliver all the stations by the first quarter of 2025, except for two Terminal Gas Stations (TGS), which are currently under descope discussions between NNPCL and BCL.

The company also clarified that the $1.27 billion mentioned in some reports pertains to the entire value of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) Segment 2 contract, not the value of the two TGS.

It also said the two TGS stations represent only about 10 per cent of  their  contract value.

The statement said: “We are one of the two contractors, and there are two segments of the project. BCL is only the contractor for segment 2 of the AKK project-Sarkin Pawa in Niger State to Tamburawa in Kano State. 

“For the purpose of emphasis, BCL wishes to add that it is very proud with the progress of its work.

“The company said that any check will confirm that BCL’s performance is easily the best in the history of government-funded pipeline construction projects in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, BCL has always recognised the support it receives from the leadership of the NNPCL, without which we may have had no magic to deliver on this project.”