NNPC forum creates ‘war room’ to tackle electricity challenge

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Hope of an accelerated solution to the power generation challenge in the country appeared on the horizon on Tuesday with the adoption of action plans by the stakeholders' forum on gas to power convened by the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with the intention of providing a breather to the power situation. 

Rising from the two-day forum in Lagos, the stakeholders who are key players in the nation's gas-power production and supply chain agreed to the establishment of a 'War Room' to fast-track the implementation of all the decisions reached at the parley without necessarily compromising due process and integrity. 

Briefing newsmen at the end of the engaging marathon session, Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo, group managing director of the NNPC, stated that the forum has re-strategised, re-aligned and identified quick win opportunities for gas supply to existing and ongoing power plants. 

He explained that the initiative would give vent to the generation of 1,440 million standard cubic feet of gas per day available for use in the thermal stations which is the equivalent of 4,750 megawatts by the end of 2010. This figure would augment the additional 1,500 megawatts expected to come from hydro stations in line with the aspirations of the 6,000 megawatts target.   The new synergy is expected among other objectives to achieve the following: accelerate pipeline construction that is required for attaining power generation and evacuation, ensure effective project management to facilitate target completion of gas supply and power plants, fast-track contract processes without compromising integrity and due process, repairing and securing the trans-Forcados pipeline to achieve power generation through use of technology, security and community. It would also review and revise the domestic gas obligation to ensure realistic delivery and sustainability. 

Throwing his weight behind the new initiative, Emmanuel Egbogah, presidential adviser on petroleum matters, described the approach as a realistic and concrete plan aimed at achieving government's power generation target. "This is a concrete plan to be able to meet the objective that could not be met last year. But thanks to all the stakeholders led by the NNPC, we are going to meet our target this year," Egbogah stated.   

Before now, the NNPC had launched a 'War Room' to tackle the persistent fuel supply and distribution challenge which had led to the emergence of queues in filling stations in some Nigerian cities a few months ago. It had the express mandate to eradicate the queues within 72 hours. Respite came the way of Nigerians days later as the task force took far-reaching steps to eliminate the fuel scarcity.   

The NNPC GMD explained that the new 'war room' on gas to power would be manned by representatives of all the key stakeholders in the gas production and supply chain.

NNPC forum creates 'war room' to tackle electricity challenge

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