Work on the 500 million-dollar West African Gas Pipeline (WAGP) project is to start by March next year.

The 681-kilometre pipeline, which will supply natural gas for commercial and industrial use, will benefit four countries – Ghana, Nigeria, Togo and Benin.

It is forecast that 85 per cent of the gas will be used in power generation and 15 per cent by local industry.

Mr. Kofi Asante Okai, External Affairs Manager, WAGP, who disclosed this in Accra, said the first consignment of the gas delivery would take place by the middle of 2005.