Enugu State revives Nigergas after 30 years of inactivity
Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, has unveiled the revamped Nigergas Company Limited facility, bringing the state-owned enterprise back to life after more than three decades of dormancy.
According to the state government, the revival marks another step in Mbah’s drive to rehabilitate moribund assets and turn them into productive ventures. Established in 1962 by Michael Okpara, former premier of Eastern Nigeria, Nigergas had been inactive for over 30 years before the recent overhaul.
“What we have revived and unveiled today is not simply metal and a network of pipes; it is the restoration of purpose, dignity and productivity to a site that once symbolised Eastern Nigeria’s industrial promise,” Mbah said during the unveiling on Thursday.
The governor noted that the facility has already created more than 100 direct jobs and is projected to generate an additional 5,000 indirect jobs across distribution, fabrication, transport, and supply chains.
“When we speak of the goal to grow our GDP from $4.4bn to $30bn, it is not mere posturing. It is rooted in the conviction that Enugu can become a truly diversified, self-reliant economy, if we muster the will to do things differently to launch us to the future we dream of,” he added.
The upgraded plant now has the capacity to produce 100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour, with plans to introduce nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide, and CNG stations.
“These improvements ripple outward: increased industrial activity strengthens our revenue base and deepens opportunities for MSMEs,” the governor said.
Mbah commended the Enugu State Investment Authority, Ten Gas Development Ltd, and community leaders of Emene for their roles in resurrecting the facility. ”
Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has, over the last two years, spearheaded a remarkable revival of moribund industries, infrastructure, and public services, transforming the state into a hub of economic activity and modern governance.
One of the administration’s landmark projects is the 9th Mile 24/7 Water Scheme, commissioned in November 2023. The facility now produces 70 million litres of water daily, significantly easing a two-decade-long shortage, with the Oji River water project further boosting daily output to 120 million litres.
In the industrial sector, Mbah revived Sunrise Flour Mills in October 2024 through a ₦40 billion public-private partnership, restoring operations and ensuring local food production while retaining a strategic state stake in the enterprise.
The International Conference Centre (ICC), completed and commissioned in January 2025, alongside a planned 5-star hotel, is set to position Enugu as a key business and convention hub. The foundation stone for the hotel was laid in May 2024, with completion scheduled within 11 months.
Infrastructure development has also been a priority. By May 2025, over 800 km of roads were completed, accompanied by five ultra-modern transport terminals across the state, including Holy Ghost Terminals 1 & 2, Gariki, Abakpa, and Nsukka.
Security infrastructure was significantly upgraded with the establishment of a Command & Control Centre, operational by May 2025. Equipped with AI-enabled surveillance, thermal cameras, and a Distress Response Squad, the centre enhances public safety and rapid response.
Governor Mbah’s approach .reviving dormant assets, modernising infrastructure, and ensuring fiscal accountability sets him apart from many predecessors, signalling a new era of industrialisation, investment, and public service efficiency in Enugu State
