Tracing the roots of the domestic gas supply framework, the NUPRC boss recalled that discussions around the Domestic Gas (DomGas) solution began in 2008 and crystalised in 2009 as part of efforts to address persistent gas-to-power supply challenges. “We segregated part of our budget for domestic gas.
And it was mainly focused on power,” she said. “We segregated for several years. The needle did not move. We’ve been working in silos.” According to the CCE, the disconnect between upstream producers, infrastructure developers and electricity distribution companies has undermined progress for decades.
“The upstream working, infrastructure not moving along with upstream supply. And you have the power distribution companies, not even moving at all with anybody,” she stated. Eyesan noted that Nigeria’s current gas reserves of 215 trillion cubic feet (TCF) should have positioned the country as a major regional energy supplier rather than struggling to satisfy domestic demand.
“Today, we shouldn’t be talking about meeting domestic needs. Today, what we should have been really describing is how to meet regional needs,” the CCE said. She further criticised institutional rigidity and policy “grandstanding,” warning that excessive bureaucracy and narrow interpretations of government directives continue to stall practical solutions.
“If we continue to grand stand, we won’t make progress. The country will suffer, the continent will suffer,” she warned. On the global energy transition debate, Eyesan said Africa initially suffered declining oil and gas investments until gas was recognised as a transition fuel.