Sylva assures gas expansion programme will impact generally on economy

The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the National Gas Expanded Programme (NGEP) would impact generally the economy and well-being of the people as full-scale implementation begins.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who stated this during the opening ceremony of the NGEP’s two-day consultative forum in Owerri, said that the programme, which was launched in 2020, had the same year as its awareness creation period, while 2021 would be devoted to programme implementation.

Meanwhile, Sylva has directed the Chairman of the NGEP, Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, to carry out a detailed infrastructural assessment in the state to facilitate the implementation of harnessing gas resource towards the production of products, including automobile petrol, textiles and others.

He said he was committed to ensuring that the programme is tailored towards industrialising the country through gas, automotive and other applications, stressing that natural gas is a catalyst for industrial and economic growth.

Governor Hope Uzodimma, represented by the Imo State House of Assembly Speaker, Paul Emeziem, said the state government was impressed by the enormous positive effects of the programme towards job creation, sustainability of progress, among other benefits.

He said: “There is hope for employment for future youths. I want to advise the people to embrace the programme and its benefits as expected.”

In his speech, the Commissioner for Power, Chief Enyinnaya Onuegbu, said with the establishment of the ministry by the governor, and subsequently appointed him as the pioneer commissioner, the intention of bringing the programme manifested in the state, disclosing that the state is blessed with gas reserves.

In his welcome address, Special Adviser to Imo State Governor and Co-ordinator of Oil and Gas, Nana Goodluck Opia, expressed joy that the state was endowed with oil and gas, noting that the state remained peaceful, needing attention to address unemployment and under-development matters.

Also, a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, Mrs. Chioma Njoku, said gas flaring and gas utilisation would be addressed by the reason of the programme.

In his presentation, the chairman of NGEP said the programme showcases available conversion issues and training of Nigerians on the gas utilisation programme.