UTMFLNG Ltd Pays Working Visit to Honourable Minister of Statee for Industry
Oru Leonard
The Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh, has described the UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (UTMFLNG) Project as a “pride to Nigeria and a demonstration of national ingenuity,” commending the company for championing the country’s first-ever Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility.
The Minister made the remark when he received the management team of UTMFLNG Limited yesterday, led by its Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Julius Rone, OFR, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja. The visit formed part of the company’s strategic engagements with key government stakeholders to introduce its flagship project and explore areas of industrial collaboration.
Mr. Rone explained that the UTMFLNG Project seeks to develop Nigeria’s first FLNG facility, aimed at monetising the nation’s vast but stranded offshore gas resources by converting them into liquefied natural gas for both domestic use and export. He noted that with a projected production capacity of 2.8 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), a Return on Investment (ROI) of 28.8%, and a Net Present Value (NPV) of approximately USD 2.9 billion, the project represents a major leap in the country’s gas industrialisation drive.
He further disclosed that the company is working closely with relevant regulatory agencies, including the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), to ensure a seamless and transparent project implementation process.
Mr. Rone also requested the Minister’s consideration for the designation of UTMFLNG’s operations across Nigeria’s oil and gas free trade zones, stressing that such recognition would support efficient project execution and position Nigeria as a competitive gas-exporting hub in Africa.
Responding, Senator Enoh lauded the initiative as “a natural industrial courage” that aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “People-First” Policy, which prioritises energy sufficiency and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the project’s innovative approach underscores the crucial link between industry and energy in addressing the power needs of Nigeria’s manufacturing clusters.
“This project is not only a pride to Nigeria but also a reflection of our industrial ambition and resilience. I see in it a bridge between our gas endowment and the energy needs of our industries. My office remains open to fostering the necessary synergy to ensure that gas truly powers our industrial zones,” Enoh added.
The Minister commended UTMFLNG’s choice of Calabar, Cross River State as the site for the project, describing it as a step that would stimulate economic activities, create jobs, and position the region as a strategic industrial hub. He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborate with UTMFLNG in re-engineering Nigeria’s gas sector and supporting its integration into the country’s industrial value chain.
The UTMFLNG Project, when completed, is expected to accelerate Nigeria’s gas monetisation efforts, boost export earnings, and provide reliable energy to manufacturing zones and industrial parks nationwide, advancing the nation’s ambition to become Africa’s energy and industrial powerhouse.
*©️Media Unit, Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment*
*22/October/2025*
