FEC approves national gas policy

The Federal Executive Council has approved a national gas policy aimed at reducing Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil by increasing gas exploration and facilities.

According to a statement by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources on Wednesday, the nation will need to implement far-reaching reforms to drive the new policy thrust.

The 100-page policy document, titled the “National Gas Policy,” which was given final approval on Wednesday after it passed through a series of inputs by all the relevant agences at previous FEC meetings, is to set up a single independent petroleum regulator, in line with ongoing reforms in the sector.

Read also: Senate probes alleged $3bn dredging fraud in NPA

For decades, Nigeria has relied mainly on sale of oil to international buyers with minimal dependence on gas for its overall economic growth, said officials of the ministry.

For the transitional period, the policy will seek to further divide the Nigeria Gas company making it separate from various marketing companies as to achieve market-led gas pricing result.

Nigeria has the world’s ninth largest proven gas reserves, at 187 trillion cubic feet.

The move is to use gas revenue and to reduce the drain on foreign exchange by reducing importation of refined oil products in Nigeria.

If the policy succeeds, it could lead to improved energy, reducing the frequency of power outage in the country.

 

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Click here to download the Ripples Nigeria App for latest updates

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now