…Alh. Halilu (NCDMB), Uzoho (GACN) to serve as co-chairpersons on steering committee

… mobilize CNG facilities in Bayelsa to promote use of CNG as automobile fuel

Oredola Adeola

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Gas Aggregator Company Nigeria (GACN) Limited have formed a Joint Working Team (JWT) to create a roadmap and strategize new methods for collaboration and coordination among key stakeholders, aiming to effectively commercialize Nigeria’s gas resources, enhance market penetration, foster investment, and promote sustainable growth in the gas subsector.

The Joint Working Team (JWT) of NCDMB and GACN was inaugurated on Wednesday at the Board’s liaison office in Abuja.

Advisors Reports gathered that the terms of reference of the JWT cover three key activity areas, namely, Market Development Initiatives and Strategies, Collaborative Coordination of Industry Events, and Industrial and Innovative Park Development.

Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Secretary, NCDMB, speaking at the inauguration acknowledged the correlation between the mandates of the Board and GACN.

The ES who was represented by Alh. Abdulmalik Halilu, Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, noted that the collaboration would stimulate gas market expansion and sustainable development and monitoring of the midstream and downstream activities as related to the Nigerian oil and gas subsector through commercialisation opportunities.

He further announced that the aim of setting up the Team is to jointly develop a roadmap and strategise on new modalities for achieving collaboration and coordination among key stakeholders towards the effective commercialisation of Nigeria’s gas resources.

This, according to him, would thereby enhance market penetration, fostering investment, and promoting sustainable growth in the Nigerian gas subsector.

While highlighting the responsibilities to the newly inaugurated Joint Working Team, Engr. Ogbe further charged members to work harmoniously to revisit, review, and execute the Terms of Reference.

Mr. Chijioke Uzoho, Managing Director, Gas Aggregator Company Nigeria Limited, in his response, stated that the Federal Government’s declaration of “Decade of Gas” is focused on transforming Nigeria into a gas-powered economy by 2030, through a series of policy reforms, gas supply projects maturation, gas infrastructure expansion, capacity building and robust investment attraction strategies.

Uzoho assured that the JWT will initiate the mobilisation of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities in the host state that houses the Local Content Board, “to encourage the use of CNG as automobile fuel in Nigeria,”

He said, “We (GACN) need to develop favourable market-based policies and a natural gas transmission and distribution network; increase availability and access to CNG refueling stations and public awareness; begin with bi-fuel/dual-fuel automobiles in the state and country at large.”

Advisors Reports confirmed that Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu (NCDMB) and Mr. Chijioke Uzoho (GACN) will serve as co-chairpersons on the steering committee.

Other members from the NCDMB include Ms. Tassalla Tersugh, Mr. Adedamola Aderibigbe, Mr. Ibrahim Sule, and Mr. Brilliant Okon. Representatives from the GACN are Oche Agbese, Tari Mayor-Bright, Somkene Tassie, Muhammed Abdulhamid, Kufre Medo, and Ekene Ebenebe.