Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, has reiterated the resolve of her ministry to pursue an aggressive and robust implementation of the various initiatives designed to accelerate the provision of adequate gas supply for power generation in line with the federal government Transformation Agenda for the power sector.
While announcing the N213bn inter-agency initiative to facilitate the liquidation of legacy gas debts in the power sector, the minister stated that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), alongside its Joint Venture Partners, are 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 in Ihovbor/OriorOsemwende communities near Benin City, whose foundation laying ceremony was performed by President Goodluck Jonathan over the weekend, Mrs. Alison-Madueke 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 PLC, Joint Venture from its new gas processing facilities at the Oben Gas Plant.
To develop and deliver gas to the project, the minister said the Joint venture would be investing over $200m. “The Nigerian Gas Company would be providing gas transportation to the power plant using the 50 km stretch of the Escravos Lagos Pipeline Spectrum, ’’ she said.
She further stated that Azura and Seplat exemplify the success stories of this administration in the power and oil and gas sectors.
The Minister pledged to sustain the existing unprecedented synergy among the Ministry 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.
