By Onu Okorie
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), Adeleye Falade, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for support in tackling ease-of-doing-business challenges confronting the company, particularly the burden of multiple taxes, levies and regulatory demands from various tiers and agencies of government.
Falade made the appeal on Thursday while leading an NLNG delegation to the State House to brief the President on the progress of the Train 7 project and the company’s role in Nigeria’s gas development agenda.
He noted that overlapping and sometimes conflicting fiscal and regulatory obligations were driving up operating costs, creating uncertainty, and posing a threat to both existing operations and future investment. He assured the President, however, that NLNG remained ready to deepen its alignment with the administration’s development priorities and explore fresh areas of partnership with the Federal Government.
With Train 7 now more than 90 percent complete, President Tinubu described the project’s successful delivery as central to Nigeria’s push to build a stronger gas economy, grow exports, create jobs, deepen local capacity, and boost investor confidence.
The discussion also touched on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) pricing and accessibility, LPG haulage along the Bonny-Bodo Road corridor, NLNG’s contributions to public revenue, its investment in infrastructure and social projects, and the broader need for a friendlier business environment.
Congratulating Falade on his appointment, President Tinubu said he was stepping into the role at a pivotal moment for both the company and the nation’s gas ambitions. He said NLNG had a duty to help translate the country’s gas reserves into jobs, exports and industrial growth.
The President praised the strides made on Train 7, calling it a benchmark for delivery, partnership and Nigerian content, and pledged continued government efforts to improve the investment climate and clear obstacles facing major oil and gas projects. He stressed that Nigeria was open for business, but insisted such business must generate value at home, strengthen communities and protect the environment.
In response, Falade thanked the President for his backing and reaffirmed NLNG’s commitment to completing Train 7 safely and to the required standard, while preparing the plant for long-term, reliable operations. He said the project would boost Nigeria’s LNG output, support export growth, and create opportunities for local workers and businesses.
On LPG, Falade called for coordinated action among government, regulators and industry players to expand supply, improve storage and distribution infrastructure, and cut avoidable costs, in order to make cooking gas more affordable for Nigerian households.
The meeting closed with both sides pledging to sustain momentum on Train 7 as it nears completion and to strengthen the long-term partnership between the Federal Government and NLNG.
