By Israel Umoh’
The Federal Government plans to establish gas mother stations in Akwa Ibom State.
Announcing this during a telephone interview with Straightnews publisher on Thursday, October 24, the Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo said ‘‘We will also establish gas mother stations in the state.’’
Commenting on if Federal Government has plans to establish Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) depots in Akwa Ibom State, he said ‘‘I have to do that in consultation with Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) and Akwa Ibom State Government. The discussion is ongoing.’’
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The Minister, who survived President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet rejig on Wednesday, has come with robust plans to assist Tinubu administration using gas sector in line with the Renewed Hope agenda.
According to him, ‘‘It is our plan to reinforce what we have put on ground. The President has set up a Presidential Committee on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). It is for the good of the nation to save our environment. It is safer, cheaper and available. CNG is good for the country. It is processed in the country. We have sufficient gas deposits in our country.’’
The Akwa Ibom-born politician remarked ‘‘And the production is on the increase. Everyday, we are bringing in new investors to invest in the gas sector. In energy transmission we are talking about, gas is the fuel for today and for tomorrow. The effort will be trying to establish mother and daughter stations across the country so that Nigerians could take advantage of the CNG that is available.
‘‘Our President means well for our country, so that we do not continue to waste energy and time on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which is expensive and is not environmental friendly. But, gas saves the environment.
‘‘The global trend focuses on gas. We can export the crude to make foreign exchange, utilize the gas deposits and then export to other countries of the world. I am sure you know that Nigeria exports CNG to other countries. It is our duty to preach the gospel of gas,’’ the former member of House of Representatives hinted.
He recalled ‘‘It is like what happened in Jigawa State. I am sure you know that if the explosion was caused by gas, it would not have caused much damage and caused the death of that number of people. CNG is lighter than the air and disappears with minimal damage. We need to talk to Nigerians to bear with Mr. President as we are trying to put the gas infrastructure to all parts of the country. We are working gradually.’’
