In a significant milestone for Nigeria’s gas sector, Starzs Gas Limited, in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has officially broken ground for the construction of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Mother Station in Iwhreken, Ughelli South Local Government Area, Delta State. The event, held on Thursday, marked a powerful step forward in the nation’s push toward gas-powered industrialization and energy diversification.
A Boost to Nigeria’s Decade of Gas Vision
The groundbreaking aligns seamlessly with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative, which aims to enhance domestic gas utilization, reduce emissions, and create an enabling environment for industrial growth. Representing the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Mr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Esueme Dan Kikile, General Manager, Corporate Communications and Zonal Coordination, commended Starzs Gas for its bold entrance into the gas subsector and its commitment to sustainable development.
“Starzs Gas Limited is positioned as a veritable vehicle to drive industrialisation and expand Nigeria’s economy,” Ogbe said, noting the company’s full-spectrum services — from gas compression and fueling stations to vehicle conversion workshops, mobile distribution skids, and EPC solutions”.
The CNG Mother Station is slated for commissioning in Q1 2026 and will serve as a critical hub for clean energy distribution, with the potential to scale operations to meet growing demand.
Leadership, Vision, and a Generational Shift
In a symbolic moment of generational transition, Mr. Greg Ogbeifun, Chairman & CEO of Starzs Investments Company Limited — parent company of Starzs Gas — highlighted that the company’s venture into gas was inspired by the relentless drive of his daughter, Miss Iroghama Ogbeifun, Managing Director of Starzs Gas.
“This initiative signals a generational shift,” he said, announcing her promotion to Vice Chairman of the Starzs Group for her leadership in shaping the vision and execution of the gas business.”
Miss Ogbeifun, in her remarks, described the groundbreaking not just as the start of construction, but the beginning of cleaner energy, job creation, and industrial development in the host region and beyond.
“We are embarking on a journey that will drive industrial development,” she declared, noting NNPCL Gas Marketing Limited holds a 15% equity in the project — a strategic partnership aimed at ensuring robust technical and operational execution.”
Industry Leaders Endorse the Project
The event attracted top executives from the NNPCL, ND Western, Nigerian Gas Association, and NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, all of whom praised the project’s potential to:
- Strengthen Nigeria’s gas infrastructure
- Reduce carbon emissions
- Accelerate the nation’s energy transition
- Spur local economic development
Mr. Justin Ezeala, MD of NNPC Gas Marketing Limited, speaking on behalf of the Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) and NNPCL’s Group CEO, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s confidence in the vision and execution capabilities of Starzs Gas. He described the project as a “timely response” to the call for private sector investment in gas development.
The Road Ahead: A Scalable and Sustainable Vision
The upcoming CNG Compression Station, adjacent to the expansive NAZ 3 Gas Plant at Utorogu, will initially process 2 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd), with plans to scale to 5 mmscfd within 18 months. Future expansion into domestic LNG production is also in the pipeline, reinforcing Starzs Gas Limited’s commitment to long-term growth and innovation in Nigeria’s gas value chain.