Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Thursday commissioned the revived Nigergas Company Limited, restored and upgraded by his administration after more than 30 years of inactivity.
Speaking at the unveiling in Emene, Mbah said the facility had already created over 100 direct jobs for skilled and semi-skilled workers, with projections of more than 5,000 indirect jobs across distribution, fabrication, transport, and supply chains.
He noted that the revival of Nigergas, originally established in 1962 under the administration of Dr. Michael Okpara, was a key part of his economic transformation agenda to expand Enugu’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.
“This is not just the restoration of metal and pipes, but the restoration of purpose, dignity, and productivity to a site that once symbolised Eastern Nigeria’s industrial promise,” Mbah said.
According to him, the rehabilitation followed a model of retaining public ownership while introducing private-sector performance standards to ensure sustainability and commercial viability.
The governor disclosed that the plant, now equipped with modern machinery, has an installed capacity of producing 100 cubic metres of oxygen and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour. It will supply medical and industrial gases, including liquid oxygen, to hospitals, welders, agro-processors, and manufacturers, with plans to expand into nitrogen, argon, carbon dioxide, and compressed natural gas (CNG).
Mbah said the project would not only guarantee reliable medical oxygen supply for hospitals but also reduce production costs for local industries, stimulate micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and strengthen the state’s revenue base.
He commended the Enugu State Investment Authority led by Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, engineering firm Ten Gas Development Ltd (a subsidiary of INDEV Group), and Emene community leaders for their roles in the project.
Ogbu-Nwobodo described the revival as the restoration of a long-abandoned dream, while Managing Director of Ten Gas Development Ltd., Chief Chike Madueke, said the plant would provide training and employment opportunities for youths.
Traditional rulers, community leaders, business stakeholders, and Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, who attended the event, praised the governor for revitalising moribund state assets and improving security in the state.
“You are the Nehemiah of our time. Like Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem, you are rebuilding Enugu State,” said Dr. Joy Uduji, a community leader and health consultant.
