Ms. Olu Verheijen, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Energy, emphasized on Wednesday that the development of gas would be a priority for the Tinubu administration. Speaking at the opening of the “Decade of Gas” secretariat in Abuja, Verheijen highlighted the significance of gas in Nigeria’s industrialization and emphasized the President’s commitment to maximizing its utilization.
The “Decade of Gas” program, set to be achieved between 2021 and 2030, aims to promote the supply and distribution of gas as the primary source of energy for both power and gas-based industries on commercial grounds. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), stated that Nigeria is striving to become a gas-based country for local consumption and export, aligning with the goal of empowering the nation’s gas utilization.
As part of the program, the project coordinator, Mr. Ed Ebong, highlighted that they are already working on 15 different projects within the industry in the short term. These projects will play a crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s future, provided the right policy framework is in place. The initiatives include gas supply, addressing outstanding debts owed by gas companies, constructing physical and virtual pipelines, and building capacity within the gas sector.
The establishment of the “Decade of Gas” secretariat, hosted by the NMDPRA, marks a step forward in coordinating and advancing gas-related initiatives. It reflects the government’s determination to prioritize gas as a key driver of economic growth, industrialization, and energy transformation in Nigeria.
