In a landmark move to bolster Nigeria’s industrial ambitions, Alpha Grip Management Company (AGMC), a subsidiary of the UAE-based Alpha Group, has entered into a strategic partnership with China National Chemical Engineering International Corporation Ltd. (CNCEC). This collaboration aims to develop, construct, and finance the $20 billion Ogidigben Gas Revolution Industrial Park in Delta State, Nigeria. The formal signing of this agreement took place on January 15 at CNCEC’s headquarters in China, marking a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s quest for economic transformation through industrial growth.
The ceremony was attended by key figures, including Hon. Joseph Tegbe, Director General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership (NCSP), alongside representatives from both AGMC and CNCEC. This partnership was catalyzed by discussions at the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), where leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, underscored the need to strengthen economic ties through projects that would catalyze industrialization and infrastructure development across Africa.
The Ogidigben project is designed to revolutionize Nigeria’s gas sector by creating a comprehensive industrial park that will include power plants, fertilizer and petrochemical facilities, and aluminum smelters. CNCEC President Li Zhenyu, during the event, emphasized Nigeria’s strategic value to CNCEC’s international strategy, citing their successful involvement in projects like the Dangote Petrochemical Refinery Complex as evidence of their capability and commitment to Nigeria’s development.
Hon. Joseph Tegbe highlighted the Nigerian government’s commitment to this initiative, aligning it with President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” aimed at fostering industrialization, job creation, and leveraging Nigeria’s natural resources for economic growth. “This partnership reflects Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with global players to unlock the potential of its abundant natural resources. The Ogidigben project is a national priority, and we are confident it will drive significant economic growth,” Tegbe remarked.
Sheikh Mohamed Bayorh, President of AGMC, expressed his gratitude towards both CNCEC and the Nigerian government for their roles in this significant venture. He lauded the reforms under President Tinubu for making Nigeria an attractive investment destination. “The Ogidigben Gas Industrial Park will be a game-changer for Africa’s energy and industrial sectors,” Bayorh stated, acknowledging the strategic efforts of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, and the leadership of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), including GCEO Mallam Mele Kolo Kyari and Executive Vice President of Gas, Power, and New Energy Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye for their support.
This project is anticipated to not only generate thousands of jobs but also position Ogidigben as Africa’s largest gas city, significantly altering the economic landscape of Nigeria. The consortium of global investors brought together by AGMC, with assets exceeding $100 billion, will collaborate with CNCEC to ensure the swift execution of this project. Both parties are optimistic about the outcomes, viewing the partnership as a cornerstone for accelerating Nigeria’s industrialization in the gas sector.
This collaboration not only underscores the growing strategic partnership between Nigeria and China but also serves as a model for future international cooperations aimed at achieving sustainable economic development in Nigeria. With this project, Nigeria steps closer to realizing its vision of becoming an industrial hub in Africa, leveraging its natural resources for national prosperity.
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