NNPC surpasses Gas Obligation to Power Plants -Engr. Oniwon
Austen Oniwon, GMD NNPC
In consonance with the Federal Government aspiration on stable electricity supply to Nigerians, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has revealed that current domestic gas supply to the power plants are adequate and proactive measures are being taken to ensure sufficient supply to the other new ones under construction upon completion.
The Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Engr. Austen Oniwon made this known in an interview in his office with newsmen.
Engr. Oniwon stated that the NNPC has more than enough gas that the power plants can consume and revealed that the Corporation was recently commended for surpassing the domestic gas needs for the power plants across the country.
“Gas supply to power is presently more than the power plants can carry and this has contributed immensely in bolstering electricity stability in Nigeria. The Presidential Task Force on power has recently commended NNPC and other Oil Companies for delivering sufficient gas to the power plants in line with Federal government aspiration,” Engr. Oniwon stated.
He explained that the development being recorded in the area of gas will expedite the establishment of agro-allied industries and petrochemical plants across the country which will generate wealth creation for Nigerians.
Engr.Oniwon informed that the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, a subsidiary of the NNPC has grown its asset base in three fold preparatory to becoming a big player in the upstream sector adding that very shortly the NPDC will re-enter the Ogoni oil field to commence oil exploration and production in line with its mandate of 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day in 2015.
On the Greenfield Refinery project, Engr. Oniwon maintained that as soon as the project is completed, Nigeria will join the league of exporters of premium motor spirit in the energy market saying that the Greenfield project is being pursued vigorously by the Corporation going by the central role it will play in the economy.
Engr. Oniwon commended the President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani-Alison Madueke for providing the right leadership and the conducive environment for the Corporation to achieve the milestone of stable supply of petroleum products during the yuletide and assured Nigerians of its sustenance.
He maintained that in the last nine months of the Dr.Goodluck Jonathan presidency, the oil and gas industry has recorded tremendous growth and stability, adding that the Country presently meet its daily OPEC quota.
He noted that Nigeria currently produce an average of 2.4 million barrels a day including condensate. He also praised the Federal Government for its commitment to the amnesty programme saying the amnesty has contributed immensely in boosting oil and gas production in the country.
The NNPC GMD lauded all the unions, stakeholders and Nigerians for their collaboration and support to the Corporation and assured that the NNPC will redouble its effort to ensure that the hydrocarbon resources in the country remain a blessing to the people.