Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has inaugurated the committee on Gas Sector-wide Review of the domestic Gas pricing framework.
The committee is charged with evaluating and reviewing the price of gas in the country.
Speaking on the occasion held virtually, Sylva emphasised the need for an appropriate price system, which would be of great advantage to the manufacturing industry, the Nigerian populace and certainly boost the gas industry, home and abroad.
The minister said, “Without appropriate pricing, we can’t have it right. We have to ensure that gas becomes affordable. That is the only way our country can strive. It is sad to note that we sell gas cheaply to investors while the price is high in the domestic sector to the extent that some Nigerians say diesel is cheaper than gas.
“Once we solve the issue of gas in Nigeria, we would have solved a lot of problems in Nigeria. Luckily for us, gas is something we have in abundance.”
Sylva added that the committee was structured to accommodate different people with different opinions.
“I think it is for a good reason that this committee is as large as it is. Members of the committee have been chosen, bearing in mind the need for diverse opinions, commitment and dedication,” he said.
Members of the committee are to review domestic gas price and benchmark, make recommendations for appropriate gas price for the respective gas sectors, make evaluations and technical suggestions with a turnaround time of thirty days, the minister said.
Sylva also announced that the inauguration of the AKK Pipeline Construction had been slated for 30 June, 2020 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Chairman of the committee and Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Yusuf Usman, expressed delight at the honour while pledging to deliver to taste.
“I thank the Honourable Minister and all members of the House for this privilege. We will do it with vigour. We recognise this is an enormous task before us. We assure the Honourable Minister that we will look into it and evaluate the price of gas in comparison with global standards and we will discharge our duties with passion, and we will drive to fruition the aims of the committee,” he said.