Minister of state for petroleum resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has expressed federal government determination to drive its Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Penetration Initiative to achieve 40% target switch to LPG, otherwise known as cooking gas by 2025.
Speaking at the just concluded OTL Africa Summit in Lagos, the minister said the LPG expansion programs with the intention of making it the first choice of energy for domestic and industrial purposes is ongoing. This, he said, is being pursued through the LPG Penetration Initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. “The framework is designed to achieve at least 40% fuel switch to LPG by 2025, attainment of 5MM MT domestic utilization of LPG and the creation of an estimated 500,000 job opportunities within the next 5 years,” he said
He explained that the recently launched ‘Operation White’ has been strategically developed to eradicate the smuggling of PMS across Nigerian borders. According to him, government will not relent on the sustenance of the programme, pointing out that a team of 89 persons drawn from five key agencies have been mandated to ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution of petroleum products across the country.
“In addition, they will authenticate actual volumes of products imported and consumed, ensure the nation attains energy security, reduce diversion of PMS and stop financial hemorrhage and improve downstream operations and create commercial opportunities. Tracking of products and clean-up of illegal stations shall continue and even adequately supported with modern technology.
“Working with private sector to aggressively increase domestic refinery capacity shall be paramount. Refurbishment of the existing refineries to achieve full capacity operations shall be fast-tracked: (PH ongoing, others to follow by Q1 & Q2 2020). We will actively collaborate with the private sector to create a large number of well-paying jobs for Nigerian youths. These and various others are the policy direction aimed at repositioning the downstream sector of the Petroleum industry in Nigeria,” he said.
Chibisi Ohakah
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