By Stephen Adeleye.
Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi has inaugurated an ultra-modern 180 metric tons Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant at Ganaja village along Lokoja-Ajaokuta Road, Kogi.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the plant was established by Eegoja Trading and Investments Ltd. for the benefit of the people of the state.
Bello at the inauguration, commended the company for the initiative, saying it was in line with his administration’s vision in changing the economic narrative of the state.
“Our vision as government is to change the narrative of Kogi from being the civil servants state to an industrialised state; that is our vision.
“When we see people that are helping us to carry out this vision, we are happy and excited.
“We want to sincerely appreciate you for being an instrument to carrying out the vision of this government in industrialising our state,” he said.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Afolashade Ayoade, reaffirmed the commitment of his government to boosting the state economy and the welfare of the people.
He commended the company for patronising the indigenous engineers who constructed the plant, assuring them of the government’s continuous support.
“We appreciate you for the confidence that you have in our indigenous engineers; thank you for believing in Kogi State and for making us proud with this great company,” he said.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Eegoja Trading and Investments Ltd., Mr Paul Ekele, said an ultra-modern 10 metric tons LPG was established on Jan 28, 2015, to bring cooking gas closer to users under safe and most competitive price.
Ekele said that the high demand of the product necessitated the upgrading of the 10 metric tons plant storage to 180 metric tons, being inaugurated on Friday.
He noted that the design and construction of the civil works were handled by engineers and technicians from Kogi.
“The facility would not only augment the supply of LPG cooking gas within the state but also to the entire North central region of Nigeria, all from the Confluence State as a base.
“The potential value chain of this venture cannot be quantified; from employment generation for our teaming youths, increase revenue to the state and economic empowerment to the small scale investor, among others are just but few to mention,” he said.
The managing director thanked the governor for providing the enabling environment particularly for the state Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs) to thrive in the state.
He, however, expressed concern that one of the biggest challenges of SMEs in the state was the difficulty in accessing capital funds.
He appealed to the governor to help fast track the process of obtaining certificate of occupancy (C of O) to enable the company’s owners to access funds from banks.
“We would also appreciate if we can enjoy tax holiday to enable us recoup and also encourage us to do more investment to grow the state commercially.
“Eegoja Gas is open to partnership; we use this opportunity to sincerely invite all Kogites, old and young, home and abroad to join hands with the government to develop Kogi.
“To our esteemed customers, Eegoja Gas is more than ever prepared to serve you better in terms of effective service delivery, cost of goods and safety enlightenment,” Ekele said.
On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Energy and Power, Mr Otayitie Emenifo, said the gesture was a culmination of the Governor’s efforts over the past three years to tackle insecurity, thereby creating an enabling environment for private investment.
“This shows that people are responding positively to the governor’s vision and his commitment to ensuring adequate security in the state; safe for investors,” he said.
Also speaking, the company’s General Manager, Mr Gideon Ekele, noted that they had established several LPG skid plants in strategic places of Kogi.
He said the company had also inaugurated LPG plant in Suleja, Niger, in 2018.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company also inaugurated a world class fire pump machine to be used in the event of fire outbreak at the plant.
(NAN)
