The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority (NMDPRA), has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP), to enhance gas production and domestic consumption in the country.
Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, made this known in Abuja when delegates of the NGEP led by its Chairman, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim paid him a courtesy visit.
Ahmed said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) provided opportunities for gas development in Nigeria and NGEP’s efforts in canvassing for gas utilisation and penetration would engender rapid growth in Nigeria’s economy.
He assured the NGEP team that the Authority would put required policies in place to spur growth in the industry that would ensure return on investment, increase production and domestic consumption of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
In his remarks, Ibrahim, said that the gas programme was introduced to make Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and LPG the fuel of choice for transportation, power generation and domestic purposes.
He said that developing the entire gas value chain would promote gas-based industries especially the petrochemicals like fertiliser and methanol.
According to him, it will enable the support of large industries such as agriculture, industrial applications and textile amongst others.
Ibrahim, however, frowned at the continuous flaring of gas in the country leading to loss of revenue.
According to Ibrahim, If 364 BCF of flared gas is saved, it could generate over 300,000 direct and indirect jobs, 300MW electricity generation in cities and give over 6 million households access to clean energy.
