The Ghana National Gas Company (GNGC) has, over the last eight years, saved the country in excess of US$250 million after the company transitioned from using expatriates to local exper­tise, the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Dr. Benjamin Asante, has disclosed.

He said in 2017, management took the decision to transition the management of all its engineering platforms from the Chinese firm Sinopec and its engineers to wholly Ghanaian engineers.

The decision according to Dr. As­ante continued to save the company in excess of $3million every month for the last eight years.

Dr. Asante, who was taking his turn at the Sunday edition of the Minister’s Press Briefing organised by the Ministry of Information, said the company had remained committed for the past eight years to build­ing local expertise in the mid and downstream gas sector.

“In April 2017, Ghana Gas fully indigenised the operations and maintenance of its Gas Processing Plant (GPP) and associated pipelines, and this initiative has also led to the creation of about 1000 jobs, includ­ing both permanent and contract positions,” he emphasised.

He said the local engineers, since taking over, had achieved a lot of milestones, including effective main­tenance and certification.

“Post-indigenisation, we have completed three major shutdowns and maintenance projects and achieved ISO 45001: 2018 certifi­cation for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems,” the CEO added.

Dr. Asante said the GNGC was also advancing towards the attain­ment of ISO 14001 certification for environmental management systems.

He said the company’s supply net­work had been pivotal for industrial growth and power generation with industrial clients such as Wangkang Ceramic, Sentuo Refinery, and Twy­ford/Keda Ceramic.

“We enable the supply of gas for industrial heating and power, benefiting both Eastern and Western industrial enclaves,” he stated.

The CEO mentioned that the construction of the Anokyi Mainline Compressor Station has increased compression capacity and ensured efficient gas transmission from Atua­bo to Kumasi and beyond.

“This project enhances opera­tional flexibility and ensures a steady power supply to Ghanaian house­holds and industries,” he added.

He highlighted the contribution of the 10-kilometre gas pipeline project from Takoradi Distribution Station to the Karpowership at Sekondi Naval Base contributes significantly to Ghana’s electricity supply, meeting 20 per cent of the nation’s energy requirements.

“This infrastructure supports 26 per cent of Ghana’s electricity needs, reducing fuel costs significantly,” the CEO of Ghana Gas highlighted.