NNPC renews commitment to gas development

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru has reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to the development of gas resources in Nigeria.

Baru who made this pledge while receiving a delegation of Nigeria Gas Association (NGA) led by its President, Bolaji Osunsanya, in Abuja said NNPC plans to achieve its objective of ensuring that the country derived maximum benefit from its huge gas resource base.

Baru noted that as the midwife of the nation’s premier gas association in 1999, the NNPC has a moral and strategic interest in ensuring the continuous existence and sustained growth of the Association.“The NGA is a reflection of the development of the gas industry in Nigeria and they have contributed to government in terms of advocacy and advice”, Baru said.

The NNPC boss said the theme of the upcoming NGA conference “Nigerian Gas Roadmap: Potential for Domestic, Regional and Global influence” is quite apt for this period especially with the country’s interests in the West Africa Gas Pipeline, Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited and the challenges in the power sector both in Nigeria and immediate vicinity.

Baru commended the members of the NGA for their advocacy in ensuring a review of the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) gas terms adding that the NNPC is working round the clock to ensure the maximization of the nation’s vast gas resources by incentivising all parts of the gas value chain.

“What I need from NGA is a lot of advocacy and advice on whatever the sector requires. We will look at it, evaluate and see how best to make good use of it and drive the gas sector forward,” he said.

Osunsanya said the purpose of the courtesy visit is to stimulate much-needed conversation on a range of important and diverse perspectives regarding natural gas development and its economic benefits to Nigeria and the support of NNPC for the upcoming conference.

“Nigeria is slowly turning to gas as a primary driver of the nation’s development. The NNPC, directly and in proxy, holds a significant position in the development of the sector, which is a further indication that the NNPC has a prominent role to play”, said Osunsanya.

The NGA President called for increased dialogue and cooperation between the association and the state oil company, adding that by aligning with each other, Nigeria’s huge natural gas resources could be explored as the viable option to crude oil in the face of present economic realities.

Osunsanya thanked the NNPC and Dr. Baru for the unflinching support for the association and pledged the readiness of members to work with the NNPC in this regard.

According to the NGA Publicity Secretary, Debo Fagbami, this year’s conference and exhibition holding between 30th October and 2nd November 2016, at Transcorp Hilton Abuja, is the 10th edition and will feature four unique sessions these include; Gas Policy Dialogue, Gas and Power , Gas Investment and Financial as well as Nigeria Content and Gas Opportunity Forums. More than 50 companies will be represented at the NGA 2016.