Benue Links GM hails NGEP, says economic benefits are multiple

The General Manager, Benue Links Nigeria Limited, Comrade Alexander Fanafa, is praising the Natural Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) as a viable programme with multiple economic benefits.

In August 2023, President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of the Presidential Committee on Natural Gas Initiative.

Now, a five-day Benue State National Gas Expansion Programme Stakeholders Consultative Forum, put together by NGEP and the Benue State Government is underway in Makurdi, under the theme: Providing gas – based solutions. The idea is to domesticate the project in the Nigeria’s Food Basket State (Benue).

The State Governor, His Excellency Rev Fr. Hyacinth Alia, presented gas cylinders to lucky winners of the raffle draw conducted at the opening ceremony of the forum at Ibrahim Babangida Square Makurdi.

Comrade Fanafa says the people of the state “stand to benefit from the gas solutions as an alternative to PMS (Premium Motor Spirit).”

“This is a proactive step by His Excellency Rev Fr Dr Hyacinth Iormem Alia-led government to ensure real energy solution to the good people of Benue State,” he adds.

Benue Links Nig Ltd Makurdi will be used as the project take off point to enable it spread across the state, Transport and Energy Commissioner in Benue State, Barr. Omale Omale told TNT.

Describing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as more environmentally friendly and cheaper, Barr. Omale says the state government is in talks with the Presidential Committee on Natural Gas Initiative committee, with view to linking the gas line from Kogi State to Benue State.

“This transition seeks among other things achievement of cheaper and cleaner energy source. The cost variation is not less than 45 per cent from what we already have (fossil fuel),” says the commissioner. He adds that technicians will be trained on the conversion of regular automobiles to CNG.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on International Investments, Sir Alex Addingi, is urging the people of the state to brace for the change, which impact he says include among other things, achievement of a more sustainable environment.