By Shedrack Frank
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing the nation’s gas resources for economic prosperity.
Ekpo made the expression during a tour of some projects being implemented by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Yenagoa yesterday.
He said that gas resource development remained one of the surest paths to the nation’s economic prosperity.
“Nigeria is endowed with vast natural gas resources with about 209 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves. This natural endorsement must be effectively harnessed to drive economic development,” he said.
The Minister said that the President Bola Tinubu-led government had a strong resolve to develop the gas sector.
“The government’s gas development initiative extends to the entire value chain, especially gas development, distribution, and penetration.
“Federal Government’s drive is geared towards lowering the cost of transportation, cost of living, and to generally impact positively on the people,” he said.
He said that the current administration was already investing in critical gas infrastructure development to support the transportation and distribution of natural gas.
“We are also promoting domestic gas utilisation for power generation, industrial applications, and transportation.
“Steps are proactively being taken to strengthen NCDMB’s operational capacity. The gas-to-power initiative is also being vigorously pursued,” he said.
Ekpo said that Nigeria’s gas sector could generate huge revenue, and position the nation as a key player in the global gas market.
The Minister who said that 60 per cent of NCDMB’s investments were gas-based, urged the agency to focus more on Compressed Natural Gas because of its direct impact on transportation and cost of living.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Mr Felix Ogbe, thanked the Minister for the visit and assured him of the agency’s commitment towards realising Federal Government’s gas resources advancement policies.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that earlier, the minister visited the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa, Mr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Speaking during the visit, Ewhrudjakpo, urged the Federal Government to consider siting a gas processing facility in the state.
He also called for the accelerated development of the Brass Methanol Project, saying that it will support the economic development of the state.
