PANDEF Praises Tinubu Over Landmark Gas Deal for UTM FLNG

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his role in securing a landmark 15-year gas supply agreement for the UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project. This deal is expected to boost Nigeria's energy sector and drive economic transformation in the Niger Delta.

The agreement guarantees the supply of 200 million standard cubic feet of gas daily to the facility, clearing a critical hurdle for the development of Nigeria's first indigenous floating LNG plant. The Wet Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement between the NNPC/Seplat Energy Joint Venture and UTM FLNG Limited addresses one of the key requirements for the project's Final Investment Decision (FID).

PANDEF believes that this development will strengthen indigenous participation in the oil and gas industry, attract fresh investments, create thousands of jobs, and accelerate industrialization across the Niger Delta. The forum also notes that the project could significantly boost domestic gas utilization, reduce gas flaring, lower carbon emissions, and expand access to cleaner cooking fuel for millions of Nigerians.

The Group Managing Director of UTM FLNG, Julius Rone, attributed the breakthrough to President Tinubu's aggressive implementation of the Federal Government's 'Decade of Gas' initiative. PANDEF echoed this commendation, saying that the agreement reflects the administration's efforts to create an enabling environment for major investments in the Niger Delta.