The House of Representatives has demanded for the immediate implementation of the Nigerian Gas Policy to ensure availability and the actualization of the gains of the Nigerian Gas Policy as well as controlled pricing geared towards affordability for citizens.
This was sequel to a motion raised on Tuesday during plenary by Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye, member representing Kosofe Federal Constituency Lagos.
Agunsoye explained that Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) otherwise known as cooking gas is the cleanest and cheapest means for everyday cooking in households.
According to him, Nigeria has the largest natural gas reserve in Africa and holds the 9th position in the world adding that a nationwide sensitization and campaign for the adoption and expansion of the use of cooking gas has been planned by the Federal Government.
“The Nigerian Gas Policy is fashioned to boost the oil and gas sector and enhance the economy of the nation as well as boost the domestic market for LPG.
“The Nigerian Gas Policy aims at moving Nigeria from being a crude oil export-based economy to an attractive oil and gas-based industrial economy.
“A proper harnessing of LPG could lead Nigeria to become a gas-based industrial nation while satisfying local demands”,he said.
Disturbed by the recent surge in the price of cooking gas in the open market as cooking gas which cost only
about N4,000 in July 2021 now costs about N8,000 with an all-time high of about N9,000 during 2021
yuletide season, standing at over 100% increase within one year, the lawmaker expressed concern that the implementation of the gas policy will not only increase the domestic use of cooking in more households but would have a greater economic scale which would reduce the price for more affordability.
To this end, the House without debate adopted the motion and mandated its Committee on Gas Resources to ensure compliance and report back within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.
The years 2020-2030 have been marked by the Federal Government as the “decade of gas” aimed to achieve actualization of gas for all in the country for use in homes, vehicles and industries.