Cooking Gas: NLPGA celebrates as Nigeria exceeds One Million Metric Tonnes Consumption per year
By Eyo Nsima
The Nigeria LPGas Association, NLPGA, has rolled out its drums to celebrate as Nigeria exceeds One Million Metric Tonnes of the Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, consumption per year.
The association disclosed that, “The year 2020 will be remembered for so many things, least of all, a once in a century global pandemic. But, within this year also, Nigeria’s LPG sector achieved a major milestone with the laudable achievement of exceeding the 1 million metric tonnes per annum mark for gas consumption.”
In a statement obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, the association, stated: “As at December 30th 2020, LPG coastal supplies broke the 1 million tonnes barrier for the first time in Nigeria’s history and Nigeria being the first country to hit this mark in West Africa sub region! Added to this are additional milestones such as incremental volumes from inland producers, as well as the commissioning of two major inland production plants. These are significant achievements in spite of a Covid-19 ravaged economy, global economic downturn and numerous business environment bottlenecks.
“Congratulations to industry operators and the relentless efforts of private sector led ruggedness of members of the Nigeria LP Gas Association (NLPGA), the umbrella body for all stakeholders of the Nigeria’s LPG sector.
“The NLPGA remains committed to the sectoral growth and development of gas, market penetration and the multiplier effect of expanded gas utilization as can be gleaned from the initiatives and policy direction of Government.
“The declaration of 2020 as the ‘Year of Gas by the Honorable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, HMoSPR, was no fluke; the recent pronouncement of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, that 2021-2030 is Nigeria’s next ‘decade of Gas Development’ is a clear wake up call for massive growth and investment from both local and foreign investors to take advantage of the ever dynamic and the fast-growing LPG market segment in Nigeria.”
It also stated: “Notably contributing to this feat are the positive and forward thinking policies of the Federal Government (more required), the support from the office of the Vice President and it’s National LPG Expansion Plan (NLEP). “Equally appreciated are the initiatives of the National Gas Expansion Program (NGEP) of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources. We recognize the continued support and enforcement efforts of Government agencies such as the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in conjunction with the Joint Working Committee (JWC) in promoting, educating and ensuring the safe use and handling of LPG in Nigeria.
“In our strive to achieve additional 1 million tonnes in the next 2 years, the NLPGA continues to advocate for international best practices, investment unlocking policies and incentives, safe switch to gas from other dirty fuels, and the famous ease of doing business initiatives devoid of counter-productive and unpopular levies to further catalyze sectoral growth for the consequent public health safety and macro economic advantages to Nigerians in particular and the nation’s economic wellbeing in general.”
It also added: “Congratulations once again to Nigerians for demonstrating through increasing demand for LPG as clean cooking fuel and that we do understand the benefits and overall imperatives for an accelerated switch to gas from use of dirty fuels. And well done to Nigeria’s LPG sector players for ensuring that the market was not starved of sustained supplies. Congratulations to the industry and please continue to stay safe.”
