Federal Government To Create 12 Million Jobs
The Federal government of Nigeria is targetting the creation of 12 million direct and indirect jobs in the country through the implementation of the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP).
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva disclosed this in a statement issued by his Technical Adviser on Gas Business and Policy Implementation, Mr Justice Derefaka.
According to the statement, Sylva, who revealed this at the recently concluded Ministerial Mandate Performance Scorecard Review Session stated that the NGEP will bring about human capacity development nationwide.
The Minister further revealed that he has surrendered his vehicles to the NGEP to convert all to dual fuel with use of either Auto Liquefied Petroleum Gas or Auto Condensed Natural Gas.
He said the move is a demonstration that the government meant it when it declared the year 2020 the Year of Gas.
Syva added that other programmes initiated to boost gas usage in the country include the Nigeria Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme and flag-off of the National Gas Transportation Network Code.
Also, Dr Abner Ishaku, the Technical Adviser, Downstream to the Petroleum Minister said the promotion of gas as a replacement for fuel will save the nation the much-needed Forex expended on imported fuels.
He added that it would provide alternatives to Premium Motor Spirit, Automotive Gas Oil and Dual Purpose Kerosene for Nigerians.
It was gathered that gas has a leading role as a key enabler to the diversification and growth of Nigeria’s broader economy.