Tinubu at alert to avert Niger military obstructing 30bcm gas pipeline project to Europe

There are indications that President Bola Tinubu, Chairman of the Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS), may have been at alert to avert the obstruction of the the 30 billion cubic meters Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project from Nigeria through Morocco, Algeria to Spain, Italy and other parts of Europe.

Apparently, there are insinuations that the Nigerian President may have been under pressure to liquidate the military regime in Niger Republic that ousted President Mohamed Bazoum in a coup over the fear that the regime could hinder the 30 billion cubic meters Trans-Saharan gas pipeline project to Europe.

Trans Sahran gas Pipeline network

Investigation by National Daily Newspaper revealed that the $13 billion 5,600-kilometre pipeline was initiated to provide energy for 11 countries on the coast of Africa, en route Morocco in North Africa, then, link the energy system of Spain or Italy, and spread to other European countries.

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Moreno, the 30 billion cubic meters Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project was further reactivated following Russian cut of gas supplies to EU countries via Germany in the aftermath of sanctions and counter-sanctions that trailed the Ukraine crisis.

There has been apprehension since the military coup in Niger Republic that the $13 billion 5,600-kilometre initiative for the 30 billion cubic meters Trans-Saharan gas pipeline to connect Europe directly to the Niger Delta gas fields in Nigeria could be impaired by the emergent military regime led by  General Abdourahmane Tchiani, which has developed very close diplomatic ties with Russia.

General Abdourahmane Tchiani, Head of Niger military regime

There is the fear that Russia may instigate Niger to frustrate the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline Project from passing through its territory.

Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum was party to the agreement on the Trans Saharan Gas Pipeline Project to EU Countries in 2022 during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, after the eruption of the Russia/Ukriane crisis.

Ousted President Mohamed Bazoum

While ousted President Bazoum was known to be pro-West, the head of the military regime after the coup, General Abdourahmane Tchiani, former head of the Presidential Guard, has been perceived to align with Russia in search of support to sustain the regime and ward off threats of invasion by ECOWAS leaders.

Some stakeholders in the West African sub-region have argued: “this is the real reason President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria is under pressure to overthrow the emergent military regime in Niger Republic.

“It is not for the sake of democracy. Russia is aware and wants to stop it.”

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National Daily Newspaper gathered that the Trans Saharan gas pipeline would hook up supply source from Warri, Delta State, South-South Nigeria, to the Hassi R’Mel gas hub in Algeria, laying through Niger. The agreement for the project was sealed with the ousted president.

Energy ministers from Algeria, Nigeria and Niger were said to have consented to an agreement at a meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, in June 2022 to expedite the construction of the Trans-Saharan gas pipeline (TSGP), projected to convey 30 billion cubic meters  of gas exports, annually, from the Nigeria, Algeria and Niger to Europe.

The gas export is anticipated to boost revenue generation for the state parties to the project, and the temptation to watch the project frustrated is perceived to be high, and costly consequences.

However, there have been counter-pressures from certain stakeholders on President Tinubu to restrain from leading ECOWAS to war in Niger Republic. While the military regime had planned three years transition, ECOWAS wanted immediate exit and restoration of democratic regime in Niger. President Tinubu, however, after diplomatic shuttles and interventions by some non-state parties in the ECOWAS sub-region, had soft pedaled to the suggestion of 9 months transition.