The Federal Government says it has spent about one billion dollars in the last one year on the development of gas infrastructure meant to fast-track the economic development of the country. Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, said this in Abuja on Tuesday at the 2012 Ministerial Platform organised by the Ministry of Information.

“In the last year, we have made significant progress in gas infrastructure, gas supply growth and stimulation of gas industrialisation. Specifically, in this time frame, we have invested close to a billion dollars in almost 1000km of gas pipeline development.

The investment, which is the most expensive in the last 30 years, is aimed at developing the sector; create job opportunities and make Nigeria the regional hub for gas-based industries.’’

Allison-Madueke said the ministry was embarking on a massive expansion of the gas pipelines and facilities so as to achieve the gas-to-power initiative. “The 130km, 24-inch Oben-Geregu gas pipeline has been completed and commissioned and this will open up gas access to the Geregu Independent Power Plant (IPP) and Dangote Obajana cement plant.

The 50km Ipe Annang-Calabar Pipeline will also open up the Calabar axis to gas and other industries.”  She said there were other ongoing projects across the country that would ensure adequate power supply when completed.

“The 104km, 24-inch Escravos-Warri pipeline doubling capacity to 600mm cf/d that will provide immediate access to 80mm cf/d of gas is nearing completion. Production has continued to grow steadily, attaining a peak production rate of 2.5 million barrels per day. This has been underpinned by major new projects, including the USAN project which was commissioned in April with a production of 180,000 barrels per day.’’

Allison-Madueke explained that the ministry was developing the country’s gas and hydrocarbon potential in other inland basins in addition to reserves in the Niger Delta and offshore basins. “With the dredging of the River Niger, we will be able to move Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) around the country, bringing gas to the east, west and northern parts of the country.” She said the government was committed to stimulating economic growth through the development of the oil and gas sector.

Alison-Madueke said the ministry was on course in the implementation of the Gas Master Plan that would attract over $30billion investment in gas infrastructure and the development of gas based industries.