By Kazeem waris
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, has said President Bola Tinubu is determined to ensure that Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources translate into improved living conditions and economic opportunities for citizens.
Ekpo stated this on Tuesday in Kano during the commissioning of two Liquefied Compressed Natural Gas (LCNG) facilities developed by Rolling Energy with support from the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF).
He said the projects reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to moving beyond policy formulation to delivering critical infrastructure that would expand access to domestic gas across the country.
“The President has been unequivocal that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources must translate into real improvements in the lives of our people,” the minister said.
According to Ekpo, the newly commissioned facilities would strengthen gas supply in Kano and neighbouring areas, provide cleaner energy alternatives, support businesses and transportation, and create employment and investment opportunities.
He explained that the Tamburawa distribution hub was equipped with LNG storage, regasification and CNG distribution facilities, while the retail outlets would improve access to gas for consumers.
The minister emphasised that private sector participation remained essential to unlocking the country’s gas potential, noting that government policies must be backed by investments and infrastructure capable of delivering tangible benefits.
“Government cannot stop at formulating good policies. We must catalyse the private capital and infrastructure required to translate those policies into benefits that Nigerians can see, use and feel,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG), Ismaeel Ahmed, said expanding CNG refuelling infrastructure would make affordable and cleaner transportation more accessible to Nigerians.
Ahmed, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Technical Training and Capacity Building, Omoh Imoukhede, stressed that the expansion of gas infrastructure must be accompanied by increased vehicle conversion programmes.
He said Nigerians needed to experience the benefits of the country’s gas resources through accessible infrastructure and affordable energy alternatives.
“The conversation about energy transition cannot remain about what Nigeria can do with its enormous gas resources. Nigerians must begin to see the infrastructure, use the infrastructure and experience the benefits in their lives every day,” he said.
Ahmed identified Kano as a strategic location for CNG expansion, citing its large transportation sector and commercial activities.
He noted that additional refuelling stations would encourage more drivers and transport operators to embrace CNG as an alternative fuel.
“Conversion without refuelling infrastructure will not deliver the transition we want. The two must grow together,” he added.
He commended the MDGIF, Rolling Energy and the Kano State Government for supporting the development of the facilities, while urging stakeholders to prioritise affordability, availability and safety in the expansion of CNG infrastructure.
In his remarks, the Kano State Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Sani Gaddafi Shehu, who represented Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to partner with private investors to expand gas infrastructure.
Shehu said increasing adoption of CNG in Kano had placed additional pressure on existing refuelling stations, making further investments necessary.
“Most of the existing stations are not accommodating transporters and users of CNG. So, there is a need for more collaboration and intervention to build this kind of infrastructure in Kano,” he said.
He described Kano as an attractive destination for gas investments, citing its estimated population of about 20 million and its commercial connections with neighbouring states and other African countries.
The commissioner assured prospective investors that the state government was prepared to provide the necessary approvals and support for the establishment of additional gas infrastructure.
