Nigeria’s gas endowment enough to make West Africa energy self-sufficient — Sylva
By Uthman Salami
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva has said Nigeria’s gas endowment is enough to make the West African sub-region become energy self-sufficient.
He explained that the Nigerian government is working on a Roadmap to Gas-Powered Economy by 2030 which requires input by stakeholders in the sector.
The Minister stated this at the Decade of Gas Day session during the 5th Nigeria International Energy Summit on Thursday in Abuja.
According to him, “The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration is bent on accomplishing its gas revolution agenda. More than ever before, Nigeria is uniquely positioned to make a success story out of this mantra.
“I can bet that if planned and ongoing gas facilities and infrastructure are completed, gas would not only lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty, but the West African sub-region could become energy self-sufficient as a result of Nigeria’s gas revolution.
“We are on course to solving both domestic and sub-regional natural gas deficiencies.
“Like I said at this summit last year, the world expects so much from Nigeria’s gas sector and we need to match that expectation with action. It is time to awaken the giant.”
According to him, by the end of this year, the Year 2021 to Year 2030 Decade of Gas initiative would have hit the two-year mark.
He said this leaves the country with eight years to plan in order to achieve its target, stressing that the government was taking the initiative very seriously because of Nigeria’s huge gas potential.
“Our current natural gas reserves have risen to 206.53TCF, yet, we have not even scratched at the 600TCF potential.
“Nigeria has the largest proven gas reserves in sub-Saharan Africa, as well as enviable Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) infrastructure and export facilities.
“Interventions in the gas sector have a significant positive effect on power sector development.
“It has the ability to lift people out of energy poverty and foster economic development,” Sylva said.
The Minister noted that Natural gas was a highly competitive source of power and it could replace more expensive fuel sources, thus reducing the cost of energy.
He added that with lower energy prices, businesses could thrive and more people could have access to electricity.
Sylva said the entire gas value chain also offers rich investment opportunities for Nigerian companies and entrepreneurs.
He said this included the ability of not only powering current industries today but also generating entirely new industries tomorrow, which means additional millions of new jobs for Nigerians.
