Date Published: 11/09/10

Gas Policies are being Aggressively Implemented -Mrs.Alison-Madueke

In a bid to ensure the successful implementation of the Federal Government’s aspiration on the Power Roadmap to guarantee stable power supply to Nigerians and the manufacturing sector, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke has stated that the various gas policies initiated by this administration are being aggressively pursued.

Delivering a keynote address titled ‘Strategies for the Successful Implementation of Gas Sector Policies’ at the Nigerian Gas Association 7 th International Gas Conference and Exhibition in Abuja on monday, Mrs. Alison-Madueke informed that the commercial framework of the new gas pricing regimes for gas to power and gas to the manufacturing industry has bolstered more investors into the gas sub-sector.

Represented by the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Engr. Austen Oniwon, the Minister reiterated the commitment of her Ministry to the full implementation of the policies in order to build confidence in prospective investors and to ensure sufficient supply of gas to the various power plants across the country.

She maintained that the harmonious gas policy framework initiated by this administration would minimize frictions and ensure that all operators comply to the policy as the Federal Government moves to provide uninterrupted power supply to Nigerians and the manufacturing sector.

Mrs. Alison-Madueke noted that the Petroleum Industry Bill currently before the National Assembly when passed would provide a robust framework that would jump start the gas sector to a level that the gross domestic product in the country would be enhanced.

Speaking during the conference, the Vice President Arch. Nemadi Sambo represented by the Minister of State for Power, Arch. Nuhu Wya lauded the NGA for the conference stressing that the significance of the hydrocarbon industry to the nation’s power quest was unequalled.

He maintained that gas was a major enabler to power stability and assured of the federal Government’s readiness to provide adequate power supply for industrial use and to Nigerians generally.

In his welcome address, the President of the Nigerian Gas Association, Engr. Charles Osezua submitted that the national aspiration to provide stable electricity has given a boost to the utilization of natural gas saying that power needs gas and gas needs power.

He stressed that the world has witnessed significant changes in the energy market dynamics and opined that gas is the fuel for the future.

The theme of the NGA 2010 International Conference is ‘Gas and Power: A Perfect Partnership for Development’.