The Honourable Minister of State Gas, Petroleum Resources, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, has said that the hardship currently experienced in Nigeria will soon be over as the country is now fully prepared to take advantage of its energy reserves which have been lying dormant over the years.
The Minister made this known yesterday in Abuja immediately after the swearing-in ceremony performed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He noted that the ingenuity of Mr. President in creating the ministry of Gas Resources which has about two hundred and eighty trillion standard cubit feet, translating into $800BN, is an indication that the President is poised to exploring other Nigeria’s rich resources to the benefit of the nation’s economy beyond crude oil.
The former national lawmaker observed that his study on the sector shows that only a paltry 1.7% have been utilised from the Gas reserve of the nation and called on critical stakeholders to partner with his ministry for the full utilisation of the Gas, Petroleum sector.
He said: “Let me thank Mr. President for this recognition and thank him again for his ingenuity in creating the ministry of Gas Resources that has been lying dormant for years untapped. The resources that have been unutilised in this sector is one that can change the economic fortunes of Nigeria forever.
“This ministry is all about Gas, which is part of petroleum resources. As a country, we are sitting on Gas and the Gas deposit from our study, is about two hundred and eighty trillion standard cubit feet, which translates to over Eight hundred billion dollars. And when this is fully harnessed, it will impact on our economy directly. At the moment, we have only accessed just a paltry 1.7% and this shows we are still yet to fully take advantage of this sector.
“We are going to be very intentional about the ministry and ensure we attract foreign investors to come into Nigeria and take part in the Gas revolution that we are going to create and the result will help ameliorate the economic hardships Nigerians are experiencing, to the extent that businesses will be created, employment opportunities will be available for Nigerians, energy will be available and of course, the benefits will be enormous for all”.
The Honourable Minister called on Nigerians to exercise a little more patient with the leadership of the country noting that the blue print of the President is geared towards the upliftment and prosperity of Nigerians.
“What is required now is a bit of patience with the leadership of the country. Mr. President is very determined to ensure the country is up and running. We have seen this through the young and vibrant people he has appointed as ministers to help interpret his vision. We are on the right path as a country. This administration is poised to restore Nigeria to its rightful place.
“For my people in Akwa Ibom State, this appointment is a unification of our state and our people. It is a sure indication that the best is about to happen, having worked together as a people to bring this government to power, we will ensure that all your efforts are rewarded. All we require from our people is their prayers, support and steadfastness. With Chief Godswill Akpabio as the Senate President and your son as the Minister of Gas, Petroleum Resources, your support for APC over the years will be rewarded adequately”.
Speaking, the President of the Nigerian Senate, Chief Godswill Akpabio, said the country has been ignoring the huge opportunities that are embedded in the Gas sector and concentrating so much on crude oil. He opined that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having recognised the huge resources that is in the Gas sector, created the ministry and handed it to a man who will best interpret the vision of Mr. President.
“Let me thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for recognising Akwa Ibom State as an Oil and Gas producing state. Petroleum simply means, Oil and Gas. And for the fact that we have concentrated so much on crude oil over the years, we tend to ignore the huge opportunity that are embedded in the Gas reserve. Mr. President having recognised that we have well over eight hundred billion dollars to tap from in the Gas sector, created this ministry to report directly to him. And just like the crude oil gave us huge foreign exchange, I want to say that the future is Gas.
“The global community is now focusing on Gas. The new thinking of world powers like US, Russia, Ukraine, UK and many others, is Gas exploration and Nigeria can not be left out. We are now expecting more investors to come into the Gas sector. The Honourable Minister, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo has already started in an impressive manner; putting together a team of professionals with huge experience in the Oil and Gas sector as advisers. One of his advisers had been a Managing Director of Haliburton, as well as other top personalities. I think this is a step in the right direction.
Akpabio promised that the national assembly will continue to give President Tinubu the needed support to ensure that his vision and promises for Nigerians are realised.
“The 10th National Assembly will continue to support Mr. President in all his efforts in attracting foreign investors to Nigeria, creating employment and generating revenue for the country for the betterment of all”.
Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in company of Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and other top dignitaries, sworn-in 45 Ministers who will superintend over the ministeries of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony, President Tinubu charged the newly sworn-in ministers to see themselves as Ministers of Nigeria and not Ministers of a region of the country, and work towards the upliftment and development of Nigeria, while ensuring safety and security for all Nigerians.
“In line with the constitutional obligations of our dear country, the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has screened and confirmed 45 ministers who will superintend over the ministeries of the Federal Government of this administration of renewed hope.
“The men and women who have today been sworn-in by me, were carefully selected as a result of their track records of excellence and achievements in both the public and private sectors. This indeed reflects the diversity of Nigeria and bring to their new role an assortment of experience and expertise to help guide the nation’s affairs.
“The challenges we are facing today as a nation are enormous. However, amidst these challenges facing us, we have an opportunity today of rewriting history by working together to improve the economic fortunes of the country and ensure peace, safety and prosperity for our people. These were the agenda that underpinned the selection of these great Nigerians as Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
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