Ekpo's Appointment Signals New Dawn For Nigeria's Gas Sector

Gas expert, Engr Owolabi Ajibade has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the appointment of Ekperikpo Ekpo as Minister Of State for Gas, saying with his appointment and capacity, Nigeria is set to witness a new dawn in the gas sector.

Ajibade said natural gas has become critical in driving industrial activities in both developed and developing countries, adding that the global demand for has grown rapidly, particularly in the past couple of decades.

“This increasing global demand for natural gas has also spurred commercialization of the resource, particularly in the developing countries, where some of the largest gas reserves are located.

He said President Tinubu’s interest in the gas sector indicate Nigeria’s readiness to harness this untapped potential for economic growth.

“This bold shift saw the separation of the gas and petroleum ministries and heralded a venture into a prior uncharted territory in the oil and gas sector. For a man well known for having a keen eye for talent, the subsequent appointment of Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo as the new Minister of State for Gas Resources to midwife this vision is another laudable masterstroke.

“Being Africa’s largest gas producer and placing ninth in the world, this moment in history, which may well turnout to be a very defining one in Nigeria’s history, as it signals the journey to cementing a sustainable alternative to the extant fossil-fuel-driven economy.

He gave the assurance that Ekpo will cause a “gas revolution” that will grow businesses, create employment opportunities and provide energy to help ameliorate hardship in Nigeria.

Ajibade further said, being a former legislator between 2007 and 2011, Ekpo is not new to the challenges of the Nigerian state, and that knowing the urgency of the task at hand, he will expand energy accessibility to improve the nation’s revenue stream.

“With his appointment as Minister of State for Gas, an evolutionary era beckons given his palpable preparedness to drive the vision of power and revenue generation, job-creation and a substantial GDP boost through a much-needed diversification of the economy,” he concluded.

Ekpo who was a former lawmaker, was the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Industry. He also served in the Customs Service, National Security and Intelligence, Power, and Niger Delta Affairs Committees of the House.