NIGERIA GAS ASSOCIATION AND NIPCO PLC SEEK MORE FOCUS ON GAS IN NATION’S ENERGY MIX
The Nigeria Gas Association [NGA], and Nipco plc, an indigenous downstream operators in the Oil and Gas industry have asserted that for Nigeria to effectively harness her endowed gas resources there is need for a special policy focus on gas sector in the nation’s energy mix.
Making the assertion during a courtesy visit by the President of the Nigerian Gas Association [NGA], Bolaji Osunsanya and some council members to Nipco Plc, the duo maintained that Nigeria will only be often referred to as gas heaven with low level of utilisation of the resource if pre-eminence is not accorded the sector.
The NGA President affirmed that there is need to give gas a new pride of place especially in the light of the nation’s economic predicament adding that gas development at the levels of exploration and utilisation needs new focus. The NGA President appreciated the concerns of Nipco boss in routing for attention to the gas sector at the highest level of governance to further galvanise all stakeholders with the Association pledge to support advocacy in this direction for the needed industry growth.
According to him, there is a sense in focussing on gas whether you do it by creating a special ministry or you make sure it has a special focus in policy initiatives. He counselled that in the interim, whatever ministry that supervises gas should make it a focussed area stressing that through such initiatives corporate bodies like Nipco to do even more in the sector.
Osunsanya acknowledged the splendid contribution of Nipco to the sector so far noting that the association is proud of its achievement.
The NGA President enjoined the planning committee of the forthcoming NGA Biennial Conference /Exhibition to ensure that primacy of place is given to the company to exhibit its gas powered vehicles at the event to further showcase the development.
He told his host that conscious effort should be made to bring at least one of the CNG converted vehicle to the event for practical demonstration of how it works and also informed reactions from those already using the automobiles. According to him ,it will not only be a good fora to do advocacy for more gas powered vehicles in the country but also let the populace see the inherent benefits of allowing your vehicles run on gas in comparism with white fuels.
He noted that making the sector well routed at the highest level of governance would give more time and focus for gas development in the overall growth of the industry and the economy in general. The NIPCO plc boss told the visiting gas stakeholders that a great future lies ahead for the country in the gas sector in the country not only in view of the abundance resource but also in terms of its utilisation either for power generation of for domestic uses and saving forex in fuel importation.
Venkataraman informed that NIPCO remains a key player in the sector both in the realms of gas usage as auto fuel and for domestic purposes across the country. In the area of Liquefied Petroleum Gas [LPG], he said the company had put in place massive gas storage facility with attendant distribution network through scores of gas trucks as well as inaugurating skid in some of its branded service stations.
He stated that in the realm of using natural gas as auto fuel and powering of machines, the company in a joint venture with Nigeria gas Company had inaugurated seven gas stations in the city of Benin and a compression plant at Ibafo, Ogun state to improve access by motorist and industrial concerns.
He however averred that slow response to enormous investment by private sector through conscious patronage is adversely affecting returns on investment in the sector.
Managing Director, Nipco plc ,Venkatapathy Venkataraman [R] in a warm handshake with President of Nigerian Gas Association[NGA],Bolaji Osunsanya during a courtesy visit of the Association to Nipco Plc in Lagos .
President of Nigerian Gas Association [NGA] ,Bolaji Osunsanya [R] viewing some of the facilities at Nipco while the company’s MD, Venkatapathy Venkataraman watches with admiration during a courtesy visit by the Association to Nipco Plc in Lagos .
Managing Director ,Nipco plc , Venkatapathy Venkataraman[[M] flanked by President Nigerian Gas Association [NGA] ,Bolaji Osunsanya[ R] and Secretary ,Adebola Martins during the Association courtesy visit to Nipco plc in Lagos .
13TH SEPTEMBER, 2016 – BUSINESSDAY NIGERIA