Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo
In her welcome address, as the Nigeria Gas Association (NGA) President, Mrs. Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, spoke at virtual conference and emphasised that though the combination of low crude oil prices and falling crude oil exports due to the coronavirus pandemic has weakened Nigeria’s fiscal position, the country must immediately harness its vast domestic Gas potential to cushion the economy and boost industrialisation.
The special presentation from the 8th President of the International Gas Union (IGU), Mr. Joe Kang, stressed that Natural Gas remains key to meeting nine out of the 17 United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as they relate to Africa: elimination of poverty, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, affordable clean energy, economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable communities, and the cities.
Mr. Kang posited that with increasing global energy demand, hydrocarbons would continue to be critical to powering heavy global industrial production even in the face of the energy transition, with Gas being the frontrunner.
In his keynote address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, whose presentation was delivered by his Senior Technical Adviser on Gas, Mr. Justice Derefaka, identified Natural Gas as the most acceptable alternative as the world transitions from fossils to renewable energy.
He reiterated the Federal Government’s policy position of dedicating this decade to ensure that Natural Gas plays a vital role in the nation’s energy agenda. He added that these programmes would transit the domestic market from reliance on refined petroleum products to cleaner, more sustainable, and affordable energy options for broader applications. He stated that Nigeria must continue to reposition its vast Natural Gas resources to better serve its energy needs in line with global best practices. He added that this would drive economic recovery and improve air quality in places where Natural Gas replaces liquid fuel options.
He said this direction would lead the government’s energy programme for industrial and transportation markets in addition to the existing Gas-to-power initiatives. He pointed out that Gas would be the dominant fuel for power generation in Africa in the medium to long term. The Minister stated that the government’s National Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme would attract investments, end flaring, and bridge the Country’s energy production deficit. He also identified the government’s National Gas Transportation Network Code as part of the initiative to stimulate multiplier effects of Gas in the domestic economy and engender long-term energy security.
Chief Sylva added that the Petroleum Industry Bill would be anchored on the principles of clarity, dynamism, neutrality, and open access fiscal rules that would unlock several midstream Gas opportunities for an enhanced domestic Gas market.
The Special Guest, the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu declared his administration’s readiness to partner with proponents of the Gas industry to realise its aspirations in Lagos State – Nigeria’s most advanced economic hub. He said Natural Gas has remained critical to the State’s vision in providing environmentally efficient fuel options in driving development and providing social services to over 20 million people in the State.
He explained that part of the objectives is to provide the right incentives for Natural Gas distributors through swift creation and allocation of right-of-way along designated industrial corridors already mapped out with the collaboration between the State’s Ministries of Physical Planning and Energy, respectively.
Governor Sanwo-Olu said the State is mirroring the Federal Government’s National Gas Expansion Project (NGEP) to make LPG accessible to Lagos residents and convert over 1000 Lagos mass transit buses to run on Compressed Natural Gas or Liquefied Petroleum Gas in line with the Federal Government’s Autogas programme.
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