NMDPRA advocates use of Gas for industrial growth, clean environment
Jack Acheme, Kano
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has called on the industrial consumers of heavy duty oil (diesel) to embrace the use of gas as it is a cheaper source of power for industrial growth.
The NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed made the call at a one-day Stakeholders Engagement on Gas Utilisation in Nigeria held at the Bristol Palace Hotel in Kano state north Western Nigeria.
Ahmed said, “There was the urgent need for large consumers of diesel to embrace the use of gas which has been designated as Nigeria’s transition fuel.
“The Federal Government has put in place various initiatives and policy framework including the natural gas expansion programme and the decade gas expansion programme.
“The Petroleum Industty Act is poised to enable the growth of the industry. The twelve regulations recently gazetted unlocked the golden opportunities and signpost the pathway to energy security,” he said.
He said the engagement of stakeholders at the event would create the necessary awareness and make the compelling case for industry operators to foster a compliance culture which alone guarantees safer and sustainable facilities in the sector.
Gas is also identified as friendly source of power as it enhances cleaner environment due to low carbon emissions.
Ahmed was represented by the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Mr. Ogbugo K. Ukoha.
The NMDPRA Northwest Regional Coordinator, Alhaji Shu’aibu Samuel explained that, the event was designed to encourage industry operators to shift from the use of diesel to gas in view of the fact that gas is not only cheaper but it’s clean to the environment and has less carbon emission.
“One of the biggest challenge of industries is the supply of power and because of the challenge in the generation of electricity, companies have to rely on the use of generators to power their plants.
“Because of the deregulated environment, the cost of production has increased. So, bringing in gas will help them (industries) stabilize to reduce their cost of production so that we can compete with products in other countries,” he said.
