NGA urges Federal Government parastatals to switch to gas-fired generators
The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) on Thursday urged Federal Government parastatals to switch to gas-fired generators in line with thé policy of using gas as transition energy amidst the quest for cleaner sources.
The NGA, a professional industry pressure group, made the position known in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mr Odianosen Masade, and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa.
According to the statement, Mr Ed Ubong, President of NGA expressed delight and optimism about the growing adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as an alternative source of energy across the nation.
The statement reported Ubong as making the observation during a panel session themed: “Harnessing Opportunities in the Nigerian Gas Sector” at the just concluded Nigerian Oil & Gas Conference in Abuja.
He noted that despite the gas scarcity being experienced by the country, progress was being made through ongoing work on decades of gas policy involving a holistic action plan by critical stakeholders in the country.
He assured that given the efforts being put in place, the narrative would soon change as the investment made by all would be expected to yield dividends soon.
The NGA president said the scarcity posed a massive challenge to the gas sector as they needed to accelerate the activation of initiatives in place, to ensure that not only the domestic gas needs were met but also unlock the export markets.
According to Ubong, these will undoubtedly boost the national economy as they will serve as a major source of revenue while reducing oil dependency.
He appealed to the government to fast-track clearing of the legacy gas supply debts in the power sector as it was an impediment to progress.
Ubong maintained that as soon as the government removed the obstacle then it could hold private stakeholders accountable for the promises that they have made to bolster the sector with more gas supply.
He noted that while members of NGA in tandem with the government were seeking innovative solutions for the sector, end-users also needed to adopt gas as a viable and clean source of energy during this decade of gas.
He commended the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for embracing gas generators to power its headquarters office in Bayelsa.
He further urged the Federal Government to institutionalise gas-powered generator usage for public parastatals and private entities that used generators of more than 250 KVA capacity.