Mbah Revives Nigergas After 30 Years, to Create 5,000 Jobs

Governor Peter Mbah has revived Nigergas Company Limited in Enugu State, restoring life to a plant abandoned for over three decades.

He said the facility, established in 1962 under Dr. Michael Okpara, is now fully modernised and has already created more than 100 direct jobs.

Over 5,000 indirect jobs are also expected across supply chains, fabrication, distribution and transport.

“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,” the governor declared.

A Plant Reborn with Bigger Promise

Governor Mbah explained that Nigergas has been upgraded to meet healthcare and industrial needs. The plant now produces “100 cubic metres of oxygen per hour, and 45 cubic metres of acetylene per hour.”

He said the rehabilitation followed a blended ownership model: “retain public ownership, but run the facility on modern, accountable, commercially viable lines.”

The governor added that Nigergas will soon expand to nitrogen, argon gas, carbon dioxide and CNG stations. This, he said, will cut business costs, create steady oxygen supply for hospitals, and strengthen local industries.

“These improvements ripple outward: increased industrial activity strengthens our revenue base, and deepens opportunities for MSMEs,” Mbah said.

Praise From Stakeholders

Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, head of the Enugu State Investment Authority, said the revival restored a dream abandoned due to “mismanagement, misappropriation of revenue, nepotism, and weak corporate governance.”

Chief Chike Madueke, Managing Director of Ten Gas Development Ltd, noted the project will also train youths and create thousands of jobs.

Traditional rulers, business leaders and community voices hailed the development, likening Mbah to a modern-day “Nehemiah” rebuilding Enugu.

Nollywood veteran Kanayo O. Kanayo added his voice: “It is not praise-singing. Security is working here because when I come to make movies, we usually stay out late into the night at Nike, and we are safe.”

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