Connect with us

General

Ekpo Laments Slow Progress in Decade of Gas Initiative

Published

on

Decade of Gas Initiative

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Ekperikpe Ekpo, has expressed his frustration towards the partial progress in Nigeria’s flagship Decade of Gas Initiative, advocating that it must now be aggressively accelerated.

Launched by the late former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, the scheme is a national policy drive declaring 2021–2030 as the country’s “Decade of Gas.” with the goal of transforming Nigeria from an oil-dependent economy into a gas-powered industrial nation, using its vast natural gas reserves (one of the largest in Africa) for economic growth.

However,  speaking recently at the 14th Practical Nigerian Content (PNC) Forum in Yenagoa, Mr Ekpo said the policy has delivered some gains in LPG penetration, CNG rollout, and gas commercialisation, but “not at the scale Nigeria urgently requires.”

“We have made progress, but not enough,” the minister admitted. “The pace has been slower than expected, and we must move with far greater urgency.”

He cited persistent infrastructure gaps, gas supply volatility, funding constraints, and delayed policy execution as major setbacks.

“Critical pipelines are behind schedule. Feedstock shortages still hamper power and industries,” he said. “These challenges have limited the full realisation of the Decade of Gas vision.”

The minister, however, outlined a renewed push to accelerate delivery through tighter regulatory coordination and investment incentives.

“We are strengthening inter-agency alignment to remove approval bottlenecks,” Ekpo said. “The PIA gives us the fiscal tools to unlock more capital into midstream and domestic gas programmes.”

He noted measurable progress in domestic LPG consumption, clean cooking expansion, and flare gas commercialisation, calling them “strong foundations that must now be scaled up.”

“Our goal remains clear: affordable gas for power, households, industries and transport,” he said. “We are not abandoning the Decade of Gas; we are intensifying it.”

Mr Ekpo said the government will prioritise early delivery of key projects such as OB3, AKK, NLNG Train 7, Brass Fertiliser, and several gas-based industrial hubs.

“These projects will determine whether the Decade of Gas becomes a transformative legacy or a missed opportunity,” he warned.

The minister urged industry players, financiers and host communities to recommit to the national gas agenda.

“We need every stakeholder on board,” he said. “Nigeria cannot afford to slow down at a time when global markets are shifting and opportunities are emerging.”

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

General

Power Supply Has Improved in Two Weeks as Promised—Adelabu

Published

on

adebayo adelabu two weeks

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, says that electricity generation has improved between March 28 and April 10, 2026, following increased gas supply to thermal power plants.

In a statement via his Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Mr Bolaji Tunji, the Minister said the improvement fulfilled his pledge at the Power Sector Working Group that electricity supply would improve within two weeks.

He said data from the period showed that actual power generation rose from about 3,951 megawatts on March 28 to over 4,300 MW on April 10.

He added that gas supply to thermal power plants increased from approximately 605 million standard cubic feet per day to over 704 million standard cubic feet per day within the same timeframe.

He also stated that mechanical availability remained stable, peaking at over 7,796MW in early April, while operational availability rose from about 4,208MW to a peak of over 4,694MW.

“Despite minor fluctuations recorded on some days, the overall trajectory points to a gradual recovery in the power sector, driven largely by improved gas supply and better coordination among critical stakeholders,” Mr Tunji said.

The spokesperson added that the correlation between gas availability and generation output underscored the need for sustained interventions in the gas-to-power value chain.

He disclosed that the minister recently inaugurated a Gas-to-Power Monitoring Committee to ensure improved coordination, real-time monitoring, and sustained gas supply to generating companies.

“The committee is expected to address bottlenecks in gas delivery, enhance synergy between gas producers and power generation companies, and ultimately guarantee a more stable and reliable electricity supply across the country.

“The Honourable Minister remains committed to ensuring that the modest gains recorded are not only sustained but significantly improved upon in the coming weeks,” Mr Tunji added.

The Minister assured Nigerians that ongoing reforms and targeted interventions in the sector would continue to yield measurable improvements, saying, “We are not there yet, but we will continue to ensure measurable improvements.”

Adelabu urged the new management of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to improve its internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on government appropriation.

He also called for the establishment of more meter testing centres across the country and reiterated the need for collaboration between the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NPTIN) and NEMSA to address manpower shortages.

Continue Reading

General

NAF Launches Probe into Civilian Casualties During Jilli Market Operation

Published

on

Jilli Market Operation Air Force

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) is investigating the reported fatal civilian casualties during airstrikes while pursuing Islamist militants around Jilli Market, around the Borno-Yobe border near Fuchimiram village in the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

In a statement on Sunday, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said it “treats all reports of possible civilian harm with the utmost seriousness and empathy.”

According to eye witnesses and local government official accounts, at least 200 people are feared dead after Nigerian military jets struck the village market.

“In line with this commitment, the CAS has directed an immediate activation of the Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to immediately proceed to the location on a fact-finding mission on the allegation,” the statement read.

NAF maintained that it remained “firmly committed to professionalism, accountability, and transparency in the conduct of its missions.”

In an earlier statement, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed mop-up air strikes in the Jilli axis, but did not state whether any civilian casualties were recorded.

“Coming amid intensified efforts to track and neutralise terrorist elements responsible for recent attacks on security forces within the wider theatre, the follow-on strikes were aimed at fleeing remnants and regrouping cells seeking to exploit the difficult terrain,” NAF said.

However, Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, a military adviser to the Yobe state government, said, “Some people from Geidam LGA (local government area) bordering Gubio LGA in Borno state who went to the Jilli weekly market were affected.”

Several persons were feared killed and others wounded after the suspected accidental airstrikes at Jilli Market in the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Jilli, a border community with Damasak in Borno State, is located over 200 kilometres from Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, the councillor and traditional head of Fuchimeram ward in Yobe’s Geidam district, told Reuters that those injured were being taken to hospitals in Yobe and Borno.

“It’s a very devastating incident at Jilli Market. As I’m speaking to you, over 200 ​people have lost their lives ​from the air strike ⁠at the market,” he told Reuters.

Continue Reading

General

Waka TV Delivers Best Premium Streaming Experience

Published

on

Waka TV

Waka TV delivers the best premium streaming experience, access to 20,000+ live channels in Full HD & 4K, 140,000+ movies and series, and follow live sports from around the world.

It is compatible with all your devices. Enjoy smooth, buffer-free streaming with zero interruptions and 24/7 support.

Waka TV installs in just a few clicks on all your devices, Smart TV, smartphone, tablet or PC. Your access is activated within 10 minutes, and streaming starts immediately with zero hassle.

Waka TV offers a service focused on quality, reliability and the best value for money. Rugby, Basketball, Cricket, Tennis, Football, and all live sports are included in your premium IPTV subscription.

Continue Reading

Trending