Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo has assured that the target of federal government to provide the demand on Gas to Power by June this year will be met.
He also vowed to meet up the President’s directive of appreciable improvement in electricity nationwide by June.
Nebo made these known yesterday when he met with chief executives of power firms at the headquarters of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC in Abuja.
According to him, “Mr. President’s Word is a Bound, we must generate more power, and we are prepared to assist all our agencies in making sure that the ball keeps rolling. We can’t afford to fail in our duties”. Speaking in the same vein, on the issue of Gas to power,
Chairman NERC Dr Sam Amadi assured Nigerians that much work has been done to make gas available to our power plants. He said, “In a few weeks time, the major pipelines will be able to make enough gas available for use by our plants”.
Speaking on the cost of Gas in the country, he said gas-to-power price may rise from its current $1.5 to $2m mbtu, and this he said may affect the tariffs on electricity. According to him, “Private investors are also interested in producing gas too, but they are saying that if they can be assured of even $2 as opposed to $1.5, they will be able to develop their gas and make sure that it get to our Gencos.
The minister who was on over-sight visit at the NERC headquarters said that the agency as a flagship in the new electricity regime must provide the lead in revamping the Rural Electrification policy framework that would allow private sector to participate.
He challenged NERC to devise a mechanism that would open-up communities that are far flung from the grid system through rural electrification means that would include renewable energy sources.
Nebo said that there is a firm commitment from the Minister of Petroleum, Diezani Allison Madueke that gas would be available and must ensure synergy in all operations. He assured that the three electricity value chain must be integrated including customers to achieve a seamless power supply.
“She has even assured on gas for power, and that if need be, she will order that gas meant for export is diverted to power” he stated.
On the issue of over-lapping function with sister agencies in the sector, the minister assured NERC of support in tackling this problem but was quick to add that the ministry will leave no stone unturned in filling any gap that is noticed.
“If there are areas we see that there are obvious gaps, we must close those gaps” he said.
The post FG assures on June deadline for gas to power appeared first on Nigeria pilot.