The South East Development Commission (SEDC) has launched a $100 million gas pipeline infrastructure project, an economic stride that will transport abundant resources to industrial end users, attract investment opportunities, and create jobs in the region.
The $100 million gas master plan pipeline project is designed to connect gas resources to industrial and commercial hubs across Enugu, Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi states, projected to serve about 150 potential customers, with projected demand of 254 million standard cubic feet of gas per day.
The 400-kilometre South-East Gas Infrastructure Investment and Project Development signing ceremony was held at Hotel Presidential, Enugu, on 27th October 2026, marking a significant step towards establishing a regional gas distribution hub in the region.
Speaking at the event, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, stated that the establishment of the infrastructure will not only unleash the great economic potential of the region but will also enable the ease of doing business, thereby attracting global investors and boosting the manufacturing of products at reduced cost.
“The Southeast’s entrepreneurial spirit is one of Nigeria’s greatest economic assets. I have always believed that the prosperity of the Southeast is inseparable from the prosperity of Nigeria,” the President said.
“Gas infrastructure must therefore serve industries and markets, not stop at political boundaries. That is the economic logic of regional integration,” he said.
He noted that the region is surrounded by major commercial cities such as Aba, Onitsha, Enugu and Nnewi, interconnected with the nation at large, and that the project will facilitate the production of agro–products, pharmaceuticals, fabrics and leather, noting that with gas availability the manufacturing of these products will be profitable and affordable.
He emphasized that the affordability of a gas-powered economy will enable existing industries to flourish while creating platforms for new industries to come on board, for other economic projects like industrial parks and investments that were delayed because of unreliable energy supply.
“Our ambition is not simply to deliver gas to existing factories. It is to make possible factories that do not yet exist, industrial parks yet to be developed, and investments that have remained on the drawing board because reliable energy was unavailable,” Tinubu said.
According to the President, the purpose of establishing the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) as a development institution will be judged by palpable results, and measured by the investments it attracted, infrastructure it enabled, opportunities it created and lives it improved.
In his remarks, SEDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mark Okoye said the commission conducted all necessary assessments, including technical, financial and legal due diligence before committing funds to the project, and received the governing board approvals.
On project funding, the commission is targeting aggregate regional investment participation of up to $30 million, including its initial $3 million commitment, as part of efforts to mobilise the private capital required to advance the project.
Giving further clarity, GasSync, the project promoter, represented by Callistus Mba, said the SEDC 400km gas pipeline network connecting five southeastern states will receive its gas offtake from the Ohaji area to Owerri in Imo State and traverse Aba in Abia State and Onitsha in Anambra State, with extensions to Enugu and Ebonyi.
Mba further disclosed the company’s operations plan for the project, stating that construction will start simultaneously at two points – the gas offtaking point in Imo State and the termination point in Ebonyi State - to accelerate delivery, following concerns raised by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah that constructing the entire network sequentially from Imo could delay gas supply to other states.
“We are going to start at Ohaji and Onitsha at the same time,” Mba said, explaining that the approach would allow construction towards Enugu and Ebonyi to progress alongside work on the Imo and Anambra sections.
Mba cited Geometric Power in Abia State among the companies with which engagement was already underway. He added that the pipeline would support efforts to revive moribund industries in Enugu and develop agro-processing facilities in Ebonyi.
Mba said project procurement has commenced, as funding has reached an advanced stage to settle all necessary financial obligations, and preparations for engineering, procurement, and construction are progressing.
