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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
USAID CONTRIBUTES $1.5 MILLION TOWARD WEST AFRICA GAS PIPELINE
Public-Private Partnership Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PRESS RELEASE
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-4320#99-94
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gabrielle Bushman
Wednesday, August 11, 1999The U.S. Agency for International Development today contributed $1.5 million toward the development of the West Africa Gas Pipeline, which will bring the benefits of natural gas to West Africa. A major benefit of natural gas is that it is a significantly cleaner-burning fuel, which contributes to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The $1.5 million USAID contribution will assist ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) by providing training and technical assistance to the four countries on regulatory, legal, fiscal and environmental issues relating to the pipeline.
"USAID is proud to be a part of this public-private partnership which will eliminate waste and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while providing economic benefit to Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana," said J. Brady Anderson, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development.
The West Africa Gas Pipeline involves sending gas, which would otherwise be burned, to points in Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana, where it will be used primarily for power generation. The pipeline itself is entirely private-sector funded by a consortium headed by Chevron USA and Royal Dutch Shell and the national gas companies from each of the four participating countries. Gas is expected to begin flowing in 2002.
The pipeline was conceived in the early 1980s as a way to reduce wasted gas from Nigeria's old fields, and to use it for economic benefit. In 1995, increased energy demand combined with drought conditions, which caused energy shortages, resulted in an agreement to pursue the pipeline's construction.
Today's agreements mark the beginning of the development phase of the pipeline. Memoranda of understanding were signed in Cotonou, Benin by representatives of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the energy ministers of Nigeria, Ghana, Togo and Benin, and the private-sector partners.
This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
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Last Updated on: July 12, 2001 |
