East Horizon Gas Company Holds EIA Open Forum in Uyo, Calabar on Gas Pipeline Project to UNICEM Factory
East Horizon Gas Company, a subsidiary of Oando Gas & Power in conjunction with Nigeria Gas Company, (NGC) and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) recently conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Open Forum as part of its statutory requirements for the granting of an Oil Pipeline License (OPL) for a gas pipeline.
The 18 inches diameter pipeline will run from the existing NGC Valve Station in Akwa Ibom State and will terminate at the United Cement (UNICEM) factory which is presently under construction in Mfamosing, Cross Rivers State.
The EIA Open Forum, which was also a question and answer session, afforded the communities an opportunity to inquire about the East Horizon’s safety records, procedures and policies as well as their operational capabilities and ability to execute the project without any negative impact on the communities.
Assuring on EHGC’s high safety standards, Mr. Bolaji Osunsanya, Managing Director, Oando Gas & Power states, “We have successfully built a 98 kilometer gas pipeline in Lagos state which has been operational for over 6 years without any incident. We intend to replicate what was done in Lagos by our sister company, Gaslink Nigeria Limited, to ensure the safety of lives and property in the area.”
The following safety procedures, among others will be in place when laying the pipeline for the project:
Depth of Cover: the depth of cover for the pipeline will be 1.2m into the ground, thus ensuring that no accidental digging will lead to a rupturing of the pipeline.
Additional protection to the pipes will be provided via a 3-layer polythene protection
Pathway of the pipelines will be properly identified to ensure no unauthorized digging is done along the pipeline route.
Commenting further, Mr. Osunsanya adds, “Natural gas is the most efficient energy source in the world today and offers itself as a cheaper, cleaner and safer alternative, when compared to other forms of energy. It is also an energy source whose usage is increasing because of its unique qualities, in terms of safety, reliability, cost and environmental friendliness.”
The gas pipeline which is to be constructed is a 124km gas pipeline that will be used to power the United Cement Factory in Calabar. The factory is currently under construction and completion scheduled for 2008 and will be powered exclusively by Natural Gas supplied by East Horizon Gas Company.
In attendance during the EIA Open Forum were representatives from the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Community Leaders, Members of the various communities as well as officials from East Horizon Gas Company.
