Gas transmission/distribution challenges in Nigeria

Business Day

25 July 2011

Gas transmission/distribution challenges in Nigeria .

Godwin J. Igwe

Natural gas as a raw material is produced in abundance in oil and gas wells throughout Nigeria.  However, according to a U.S Geological study, Nigeria may now be considered more a gas producing country, as opposed to an oil producing country.  This conclusion is drawn from recent estimates indicating that the country’s gas reserves could be as high as 600 trillion cubic feet, which is three times more than the current conventional estimate of 187 trillion cubic feet.

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Let me quote, for our leaders, some memorable passages from the words of President Roosevelt at his Inaugural Address:

“More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.  Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. Recognition of the falsity of material wealth as the standard of success goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the false belief that public office and high political position are to be valued only by the standards of pride of place and personal profit”.

He goes on to say: “Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. It can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources.”