Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has reaffirmed the transformative impact of the ANOH Gas Plant on the state’s economy, energy security, and social stability.
During a courtesy visit by the management of the ANOH Gas Processing Company (AGPC), led by the Managing Director Mr. Effiong Okon, the governor emphasised the plant’s critical role in powering the Orashi Special Energy Free Trade Zone (OSEFTZ) and fostering industrial development in the once-restive Ohaji/Egbema environ.
Located within the Orashi Energy Free Trade Zone, the $850 million ANOH Gas Plant is poised to become a cornerstone of Imo State’s industrialisation drive.
Uzodimma highlighted the plant’s significance in providing feedstock for the 380MW Egbema Power Plant, which relies on General Electric (GE) turbines requiring a steady gas supply. He said: ‘The presence of ANOH Gas means we will be among their pioneer clients,. This ensures uninterrupted electricity for industries in the Free Trade Zone and beyond, reducing reliance on erratic national grid power’.
The ANOH facility, a joint venture between Seplat and NNPC Limited, will process 300 million standard cubic feet of gas daily (MMscfd) in its first phase, with a future expansion to 600 MMscfd. Its output will not only fuel power generation but also support petrochemical plants, mini-LNG facilities, and a proposed 100,000-barrel-per-day refinery within OSEFTZ — projects aligned with the governor’s vision for a diversified energy hub.
The governor underscored how industrial investments like ANOH are pacifying historically volatile areas. ‘This region was once plagued by unrest, but job creation and economic opportunities are restoring peace’, he noted. The plant alone is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs, alongside skills development programmes for local youth — a key pillar of AGPC’s corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The Orashi Free Trade Zone, spanning Oguta, Ohaji/Egbema, and Ngor Okpala Local Government Areas, is set to leverage ANOH’s gas to attract further investments in manufacturing and logistics. Key projects include:
- Dredging of the Oguta Lake/Orashi River to enable vessel access and gas evacuation
- Methanol production using carbon-capture technology, positioning Imo as a leader in clean energy
- Expanded LPG distribution to replace polluting fuels like kerosene in households
The governor’s remarks dovetailed with his 2025 budget pledge of N807 billion (86% allocated to capital projects) to fast-track infrastructure, including the Orashi Free Trade Zone’s ancillary developments. He urged AGPC and other investors to maintain momentum, assuring them of state support. ‘Imo is open for business, and we will ensure a win-win partnership for sustainable growth’, he said.
