In a landmark move aimed at revitalising industrial activity and boosting economic growth in Eastern Nigeria, the Enugu State Government officially unveiled the fully revamped Nigergas Company Limited earlier today. After over three decades of dormancy, the once-iconic plant has returned to full operation, creating a renewed sense of purpose and opportunity in the region.
The revival of Nigergas is already making an immediate impact. The facility has created more than 100 direct jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers, while projections indicate over 5,000 indirect jobs will be generated across distribution, fabrication, transportation, and the broader supply chain. Beyond steel and pipes, the reopening signals the restoration of dignity, productivity, and the promise of a diversified economy for Enugu State.
Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah emphasized the broader vision behind the revival. “When we speak of raising Enugu’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion, it is not empty rhetoric. It is grounded in the conviction that Enugu can build a self-reliant economy if we muster the will to do things differently and boldly embrace the future,” he stated.
The government approved a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for Nigergas, adopting a management model that blends public ownership with private-sector performance discipline. While ownership remains public, operations now follow modern, commercially viable principles with full accountability.
The upgraded plant is now equipped with modern machinery and enhanced technical capacity. It currently produces 100 cubic metres of medical oxygen per hour and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour, with plans to add nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide, and compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in the near future. This expansion will ensure a steady local supply of critical medical oxygen, reducing dependence on distant and expensive sources, while also providing reliable industrial gases to welders, agro-processors, and manufacturers.
The economic ripple effect of the reopening is expected to be significant. By lowering production costs, improving turnaround times, and enhancing local revenue generation, the plant’s operation is poised to create new opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and invigorate the industrial sector.
Governor Mbah praised the collaborative effort that made the revival possible, acknowledging the Managing Director of the Enugu State Investment Authority and Commissioner for Trade, Investment, and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo; the engineering firm Ten Gas Development Ltd; and the community leaders of Emene for their critical roles.
“Nigergas now stands as a symbol of industrial resurgence and a hub of opportunity for Enugu State,” Governor Mbah noted. “Tomorrow is here.”
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