By Musa Adamu
Abuja
Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Allison-Madueke, has pledged for more aggressive and robust implementation of the various initiatives designed to accelerate the provision of adequate gas supply for power generation.
She said her resolved was in line with the federal government’s aspiration for the power sector.
The Minister, who recently announced the N213billion inter-agency initiative to facilitate the liquidation of legacy gas debts in the power sector, also stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) alongside its Joint Venture (JV) partners were determined to surpass its mandate of providing the required fuel gas as well as gas infrastructure for the smooth operation of power plants in the country.
On gas supply to the upcoming Azura-Edo power plant whose foundation laying ceremony was performed by President Goodluck Jonathan over the weekend, she informed that the 450mw IPP would be supplied with 120mmscuf/per day through the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) and the Seplat Petroleum Development Company (SPDC)PLC, JV from its new gas processing facilities at the Oben gas plant.
To develop and deliver gas to the project, the minister said the JV would be investing approximately $200 million.
“The Nigerian Gas Company (NGC) would be providing gas transportation to the power plant using the 50 km stretch of the Escravos Lagos Pipeline Spectrum,” she said.
She noted that the Azura-Edo power plant gas transaction was a pioneer in the two tier gas pricing arrangement as proposed in the gas master plan which envisions a willing buyer-willing seller pricing.
She further stated that Azura and Seplat exemplify the success stories of this administration in the power and oil and gas sectors.
The Minister further pledged to sustain the existing synergy among the ministries of petroleum resources, power and the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) in ensuring a strong alignment in power outputs and the requisite gas supply.
“It is our expectation that the aggressive implementation, progressively over the next few months would ensure that this particular collaboration brings continuous and sustainable improvement and stability in the power sector.‘’ the minister stated.
