The Benue National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) Stakeholders Forum 9th-13th Dec 2024:
A Post Mortem
– Samuel Agwa
(Convener, Benue Open Governance Society (BOGS). He can be reached with the contact
Email ssaidcbn@yahoo.com)
The National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) was rolled out by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2020 to make compressed Natural Gas (CNG) the fuel of choice for transportation, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), the fuel of choice for domestic cooking, captive power and small industrial complexes. The idea is to deepen the use of natural gas and make it a preferred form of cleaner, cheaper energy for both personal and industrial use.
It is envisioned that NGEP will lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty through the establishment of gas-related outlets that would serve the public when fully realized.
Research findings have it that, Nigeria has proven reserves of over 206 trillion cubic feet and prospects of an additional 600 trillion cubic feet, which indeed presents an advantage for the nation to use gas as a catalyst for its socio-economic resurgence.
His Excellency Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia hosted stakeholders in gas in Makurdi 9th-13th Dec 2024. Exhibitions, lectures, distribution of gas cylinders were topmost activities, in addition to a historic MoU between Akawe Torkula Polytechnic and Autogas Company Ltd.
Quite outstandingly in the week long event was the declaration by Governor Alia to explore the coalbed methane (CBM) gas Benue is richly endowed with as a comparatively advantageous resource clutch. Vast expanse of CBM exists in Konshisha, Agatu, Guma and other LGAs in the State.
The successful hosting of the national gas stakeholders in Makurdi clearly underscores beyond keying into the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, a response to challenges the Governor noted in his social contract to Benue of “depletion of forest reserves and threat to economic change” and “collapsed economic infrastructure”.
It should pointed out that, Governor Alia promised Benue people to ‘key into all federal government economic initiatives to facilitate the growth of agro-processing factories in the State’. The gas expansion programme is one such bold endeavour.
Technical issues at the event were lectures on the promotion of cleaner environment, increased awareness on reduction of reliance on polluting fuels, distribution of LPG cooking gas cylinders, and enlightenment on CNG gas conversion protocols and health concerns to stakeholders. Transporters, Keke Riders groups, Okada unions, equipment merchants, housewives, policy makers, and public institutions amongst others equally participated.
The event further unveiled Benue to gas conversion based teaching curriculum to train engineers, technologists, technicians and students in higher institutions across the state. It is hoped once stepped down the requisite skill-backbone for gas solutions will be raised and quickened in our science and technical schools.
In Benue State, the roll-out of the National Gas Expansion Programme is coming at the right time, especially in light of full deregulation of the local PMS market, and attendant difficulties citizens are faced with on a daily basis. Critically, as a fast expanding initiative, development of infrastructure and investment in same to drive the many benefits is crucial and Benue stands in good stead venturing.
Already within the comity of states in Nigeria Benue is indeed a forerunner. This was a clear statement made by the Chairman of NGEP, Prof Mohammed Ibrahim mni.
As part of State policy, the gas expansion programme fits entirely into all the 7 SACHIIP Pillars of Governor Alia’s strategic development plan for, security of lives and property, agriculture and rural development, commerce and industry, human capital and social development, infrastructure and environment, ICT, and political and economic governance.
It is interesting to see today trial-pioneering activities at the Benue State ministry of works mechanical Workshop project that structures and facilities to start expanding gas refill, and CNG conversion in Benue are steadily being activated. Kudos to commissioner Tiza Imojime.
As the food basket of the Nation, gas expansion will further crystallize towards gas based fertilizers and irrigation infrastructure enhancing agricultural tonnage in no small measure as currently cost of fuels to run even basic agricultural systems has made the cost of production and produce quite high.
Benue hospitals will be more efficient as incidences of power outages will be reduced by over 50%. Post harvest loses in agriculture will be reduced by use of more cost saving fuels, amongst others. Public institutions like schools, parks and government premises will experience significantly reduced costs of operations.
Increased expansion of the gas programme will also reduce extreme dependence on fire woods, thereby saving our forests which are significant natural resources that needs to be conserved.
It will be strategic for the Benue NGEP in the aftermath of the launch of NGEP in the State to work closely with local government councils towards at least 3 conversion centres in the state under appropriate joint venture memoranda before the end of 2025.
Similarly, the coalbed methane (CBM) the governor is considering exploration should be deepened and as many stakeholder partners be drafted to the table to fast track implementation. This will indeed be revolutionary and we urge the governor to ink up his red pen accordingly to back as appropriate upcoming PPP streams.
For the Benue youths in particular, Governor Alia is making again real his promise to “encourage Benue State indigenes to receive appropriate technical exposure and training for industrial employment and management”. This again is a youth centric endeavor from the Alia kitty to hit the ground running and we cannot contemplate any draw backs at all. Let the coalbeds be hit and heated for sustainable Benue home grown solutions.
