Nigeria’s quest to expand its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) market into Europe received a boost on Thursday as a visiting German trade delegation indicated their country’s desire for Nigeria’s gas supply.
Leading a contingent of German business concerns on a visit to Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu in Abuja, the vice minister for economic affairs and energy and a member of the German Parliament, Mr Uwe Beckmeyer, said that Gernamy was seeking to develop business relationships with Nigeria to accelerate the supply of LNG, especially in the country’s ship building industry.
He said Nigeria’s LNG would come in handy as the country and other European industrial powers seek to cut down drastically on carbon dioxide emissions arising from heavy industrial operations since the LNG is friendlier to the environment, a statement by the NNPC spokesman Ohi Alegbe, reads in part.
“We have a lot of interest in the LNG and I think this is one special thing we should develop in the next few years. I think there is increasing demand in Europe, especially as we seek to reduce emissions. It is useful for both sides to develop this special business relationship,” Beckmeyer stated.
Kachikwu in his response said that Nigeria was ready to embrace the interest for improved business relationship expressed by the delegation, noting that the government is working with other relevant stakeholders to ensure the activation of the LNG Train 7 which would help accommodate potential off-takers from new markets.
In another development, the Federal Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Japan to the tune of ¥1.317 billion, about $11 million, for an emergency improvement of electricity supply facilities in Abuja.
The project will see Japan supporting Nigeria in building two electrical sub-stations and the installation of capacity banks in Abuja and Nasarawa State to decrease the transmission loss and stabilise power supply to over 7,000 households.
At the signing of the MoU for the grant in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and National Planning Udoma Udo Udoma, said that the project is aimed at supporting Nigeria to promote socio-economic and infrastructural development.
