Jonathan asks gas association to support government

The vice president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, has challenged members of the Nigerian Gas Association to offer technical advice to the federal government in order to drive sustainable development in the gas sector.

He also charged the association to articulate a comprehensive contribution for inclusion in the National Gas Bill, considering the best interest of the country.

Mr. Jonathan, who spoke on Monday in Abuja while receiving the association's executive members in his office, argued that for Nigeria to achieve full gas utilisation, there is need for the country's experts to contribute to policies and plans for the sector.

The petroleum resources minister, Rilwanu Lukman, who was present during the visit, called for the review of the Gas Master Plan for better performance and effectiveness, as well as the provision of necessary legislation that would be flexible enough to drive the development in the sector.

Mr. Lukman noted that the revenue from gas, which could be earned by the country in the long term, far exceeds that from oil, explaining that Nigeria probably has far larger gas reserves than crude oil.

According to Lukman, there is the need to invest more into gas infrastructure and development, not only to reduce gas flaring and its negative effect on the environment, but to actualise the nation's target of exporting gas based products and encourage the growth of other gas dependent industries.

Earlier, the president of the association, Charles Osezua, assured Mr. Jonathan of the association's preparedness to partner with the federal government in the development of the gas sector, as well as offer the expertise and experience of its members to all stakeholders.

Mr. Osezua also appealed to the government to involve the association in issues concerning the gas industry and policy formulation, as such would foster the national dialogue on gas utilisation, and promote consensus amongst all stakeholders.

He stated that the association was prepared to collaborate with the government in the area of joint organisation and planning of gas industry programmes that can bring convergence and resolve gas development issues.

He called for the government's collaboration and support for the association in the International Gas Union activities to promote Nigeria's position in the global gas industry.