By Emmanuella Anokam
An Oil and Gas Expert, Mr Olabode Sowunmi, has called for continuity and consistency on the Nigeria Gas Master Plan to ensure infrastructure development and availability of gas in the country.
The expert called for continuity in projects that matter, for example the on-going construction of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Natural Gas Pipeline (AKK), Trans Saharan Gas Pipeline (TSGP) and West African Gas Pipeline.
Sowunmi, Senior Legislative Aid to the Senate President on Gas and Power made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.
NAN reports that the AAK project which spans a length of 614km is being developed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) to transport natural gas from Ajaokuta, Kogi through states and urban centres in Nigeria.
The project, which is expected to be completed the first quarter of 2023, is a segment of the Trans-Nigeria Gas Pipeline (TNGP) and the Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline projects.
The AKK, when completed would provide enough gas for both domestic and export purposes, revive industries along the AKK corridor.
Speaking on the Nigerias attainment to 62nd independence, he said that consistency on the projects should be considered greatly to fast track completion and energy sufficiency.
Governance is a continual thing and the real things that matter sometimes take decades or half a century to be achieved.
So one government must do it well and pass on to another government which will equally do it well till we get to the end, the expert advised.
Sowunmi said the projects would ensure that the power sector became the major consumer of gas while there would be availability of gas to industries like the methanol plants and fertiliser plants.
He further said the AKK and the Trans Saharan gas pipelines projects were birthed by the policies of the gas master plan.
He said that the only way the EU would get alternative gas supply to EU countries from Nigeria would be through the Trans Saharan Gas pipeline.
According to him, EU could as well become ultimate beneficiary through the support in the building of the pipeline.
The oil and gas industry, particularly the gas sector offers Nigeria a very clear road to a genuine industrialisation in every Local Government we should take advantage of this, he said.
The expert however expressed satisfaction that some reforms have started in the industry in view of the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 (PIA). (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
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Edited by Isaac Aregbesola
Source: NAN News