The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, has asserted the Federal Government’s commitment to advancing Nigeria’s gas resources as a pathway to economic prosperity.
During a visit to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) facilities in Yenagoa, Ekpo highlighted Nigeria's natural gas reserves which is estimated at 209 trillion cubic feet, and emphasized the importance of effectively using these resources for economic growth.
Ekpo acknowledged President Tinubu’s unwavering support for the gas sector, which encompasses initiatives across the entire value chain, including development, distribution and penetration.
He stated that the government aims to reduce transportation costs and improve living standards nationwide.
The Minister outlined key initiatives from his ministry, such as investing in gas infrastructure, promoting domestic gas use for power generation and industrial applications, and enhancing NCDMB's capacity to enforce local content policies.
He also mentioned support for gas-to-power projects and efforts to expand Nigeria’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity.
Ekpo noted that 60% of NCDMB’s investments focus on gas and urged the agency to prioritize Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) projects due to their potential impact on transportation and living costs.
He praised NCDMB for its achievements in local content promotion and for constructing a new headquarters building.
The visit allowed Ekpo to engage with NCDMB management and staff, learn about their operations, and discuss ongoing local content development efforts.
He toured various facilities, including the Technology Innovation and Incubation Centre and the NCDMB gas hub.
