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The gas is coming!
Tema, Nov. 20, Ghanadot/GNA- Natural Gas is expected to
start flowing through the West Africa Gas pipeline project
from Nigeria to Ghana from December 23 this year.
Mr Aderemi Oladapo, General Manager in charge of Operations
of the West African Gas Pipeline Company Limited (WAGPCo),
dropped the hint in Tema on Tuesday.
He said it would take four days for the gas to flow through
the lines before reaching Ghana.
This follows the completion of the installation of the
offshore segment of the gas pipeline by WAGPCo, which is
currently conducting safety awareness campaigns across the
sub-region in readiness for its take-off.
Mr Oladapo was making a presentation at a day's forum
organised by the WAGPCo for stakeholders in the maritime
industry to sensitize them on the need to ensure that the
lines were not damaged by their activities at sea.
He explained that a burst on the pipeline in Benin, Cotonou
contributed to the delay of the completion of the project,
but this has been rectified and was optimistic that gas
would definitely flow through the line soon. The project
cost about 600 million US dollars
The General Manager pointed out that a colossal amount was
used in repairing the lines and urged the participants to
educate their staff to ensure that, at sea they observe
safety measures and ensure compliance with identified safety
precautions.
According to him WAGPCo would periodically organise series
of such forums in the sub-region to remind stakeholders of
the need to protect the lines.
Mr Opare Addo Nketsia, Technician Operator said WAGPCo
conducted risk assessments posed by shipping and the
collected data within the sub-region showed that fishermen
were the worse offenders in the destruction of the
equipment.
He mentioned possible causes of pipeline damage as the Ship
Anchor Drag, illegal fishing method such as using dynamites,
bottom trawling by inshore fishing boats as well as
sabotage.
He advised officials in the maritime industry to be cautious
and careful in their operations to prolong the lifespan of
the pipelines.
Mr Nketsia said there was the need for the Naval Personnel
to monitor the coastline to ensure that fishing activities
do not damage the pipelines.
Mr E. Oseni, Operations Supervisor warned that any damage to
the pipelines would create socio-economic set back to the
nation and the region and cautioned that disasters could
occur through fire and loss of buoyancy.
To ensure absolute safety, Mr Oseni entreated maritime
officials to strictly adhere to the regulations and not to
operate close to the boundary areas, which is between 42 and
72 meters depth and two to four nautical miles away from the
line.
Participating countries operating the Gas Pipeline Project
are Nigeria, which is the source, Cotonou, Togo and Ghana.
Participating stakeholders included Fire personnel,
officials from the fishing companies and the National
Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO)
GNA
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