Tinubu directs ICRC to oversee PPP implementation of National gas command centre
By Queen Abayomi
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has instructed the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) to supervise the rollout of the Federal Government’s National Gas Infrastructure Command Centre (NGCC) under a strict Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
The directive makes it clear that the project will be entirely financed by private investors, with no public funds involved and no financial obligations placed on the Federal Government.
The Director-General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, made this known during the inaugural meeting of the Project Steering Committee set up for the NGCC. He explained that the Commission would ensure that every stage of the project complies fully with the President’s approval and established PPP guidelines.
According to Ewalefoh, the NGCC is envisioned as a critical national platform that will enable real-time monitoring and coordinated management of Nigeria’s gas infrastructure. However, he emphasized that despite its strategic importance, the project must remain fully privately funded without recourse to government guarantees or sovereign backing.
He noted that the President’s position demonstrates a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility, encouraging private-sector participation while safeguarding public resources.
“Automation and technology alone do not determine a project’s viability,” Ewalefoh stated. “Every proposal must undergo a comprehensive PPP assessment to evaluate feasibility, risk-sharing arrangements, affordability, and long-term sustainability before it proceeds.”
He further stressed that protecting public interest, ensuring value for money, maintaining financial discipline, and adhering strictly to regulatory standards will remain central throughout the process.
The NGCC, which has been approved as a PPP initiative, is designed to centralize operational oversight within Nigeria’s gas value chain. It is expected to enhance coordination, improve emergency response mechanisms, and promote greater transparency in gas infrastructure operations nationwide.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, formally inaugurated both the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and the Joint Technical Working Group (JTWG) to ensure smooth implementation in line with the President’s directive.
The PSC includes representatives from the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the ICRC, and the project promoter.
Meanwhile, the Joint Technical Working Group brings together legal, technical, and institutional experts from relevant agencies alongside the private proponent to advance preparatory activities in accordance with PPP regulatory requirements.
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(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, MARCH 3RD 2026)
