The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a steady gas supply from Nigeria to Togo, Benin Republic, and Ghana in a bid to tackle energy poverty and promote economic prosperity in the West African sub-region.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with the outgoing and incoming Managing Directors of the West African Gas Pipeline Company.
In a statement by the minister’s spokesman, Louis Ibah, Ekpo said, “The Tinubu-led Federal Government is very committed to ensuring steady gas supply to neighbouring countries, including the Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana, to combat energy poverty and foster economic prosperity.”
As Chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the West African Gas Pipeline, the minister noted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made “significant strides in advancing the gas sector over the past two years, marked by notable progress in developing gas infrastructure, reducing gas flaring, and increasing gas availability for both export and domestic consumption.”
He further stressed, “President Tinubu is committed to extinguishing issues of energy poverty in Nigeria, the West African subregion, and indeed the whole of Africa, with key policies and projects. Gas supply within the West African subregion is a top priority for the Federal Government, especially supplies to Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana, to fuel energy and stem energy poverty as a key imperative for economic prosperity in the sub-region.”
Ekpo also expressed appreciation to the outgoing WAPCo Managing Director, Ms Michelle Burkett, for what he described as her “visionary leadership and tireless efforts in driving the company to achieve success during her tenure.”
He pledged the Federal Government’s support for the new Managing Director, Mr Abiodun Bodunrin, to excel in his assignment.
In his remarks, Bodunrin sought the minister’s backing to realise his vision to elevate the company’s performance. He said his priority would be “ensuring a reliable and uninterrupted gas supply from Nigeria for onward distribution to regional consumers.”
