Three finished gas-fuelled power stations are unable to generate electricity because Nigeria has sold all its gas for export, the president said.
These deals with international oil companies would have to be renegotiated over seven years, he added.
“It is only now that the nation realises the critical importance of gas to the national economy,” the president said.
All the multibillion dollar power projects initiated under former president Obasanjo’s integrated power project would need natural gas to work. Even if they are all completed by this year – which will be a wishful thinking – they will not be functional until 2015!
The only alternative is to increase production of natural gas, or export. Both options are not really feasible.
Even though very few things make sense in Nigeria, this tops the list!
So are Nigerians going to fold theirs arms for the next seven years, and remain contended living in darkness?
There must be other workable options – like converting biomass and domestic waste to energy. A nation of 140 million must be generating tons of refuse – we should use it! There are Nigerians who know how to make it happen!