The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), a national, non-profit organisation promoting the progress of the gas industry says it will continue to deliver consistent and progressive advocacy drive as it celebrated its 20th anniversary.
Over the last twenty years, the NGA, a chartered member of the International Gas Union (IGU), has influenced several industry-changing gas policies, viable gas projects and transnational deals thus reinforcing Natural Gas as one unique resource that Nigeria can leverage to create transformative change across various sectors and spheres of industry.
The association is now largest gas-focused umbrella Association and voice of the Gas industry, the group said. “In its 20 years of existence, the association has accomplished several notable feats in the natural gas industry.
The NGA said some of its notable achievements include engaging the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) over pioneer status and tax waivers for deserved members of its value chain, dramatic improvement in growth of the industry increasing natural gas exploration and protection, increase in local consumption/utilisation of natural gas, especially in derivatives manufacturing for Natural Gas Based Industries (NGBI), the increased volume of natural gas export and recognition of the Nigerian natural gas industry as a key market by local and international investors, increased Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country and increased revenue generation.
Founded in 1999 by a few industry giants at the time, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Chevron Nigeria Limited, the Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), Elf Petroleum(now Total E&P Nigeria Limited), Mobil Producing Nigeria, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and Conoco Energy Nigeria Limited, the Nigerian Gas Association has evolved to a more diverse yet formidable body of over 124 corporate members and 2125 individual members working with a vision to improve the nation’s economy through the optimal maximization of its abounding Natural Gas reserves.
“Natural Gas is that one singular resource Nigeria can leverage to create transformative change across various sectors and spheres of industry. As the NGA, we have worked resolutely over the past twenty years to foster a legal, regulatory and policy landscape for gas that is attractive to participants and investors, with the attendant multiplier benefits to the nation at large.” Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo President, Nigerian Gas Association.
“With over two decades of consistent and progressive advocacy drive, NGA has earned the pride of place as the flagship voice in the gas industry, worthy of celebration,” says Violin Antaih, publicity secretary, Nigerian Gas Association.
Since inception, the Nigerian Gas Association has carried on its commitment to effectively champion the competitiveness and effective utilization of Natural Gas by promoting sound policy development, capacity development and best practices towards optimising the economics of the entire gas chain while emphasizing environmental protection and safety.
At a landmark commemorative event which held at the Eko Convention Centre on Friday, November 1st, 2019, the industry’s most valued players and stakeholders gathered for an exclusive dinner and gala ceremony, while celebrating industry stakeholders and organisations with milestone awards for their decades of volunteering and support for the NGA, in its role as the voice of the Natural Gas industry.
Among the high profile awards of the night was the conferment of a Lifetime Achievement Award on Jackson Gaius Obaseki, the Founding President of the Association, for his remarkable role in driving and implementing the vision of the NGA. Late Adeyemi Akinlawon received a Posthumous award for his exemplary service in various capacities to the association.
Recipients under the corporate category include NLNG, Shell companies in Nigeria – Shell Nigeria Gas (SNG), Shell Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) and the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) – Axxela Limited, Anoh Gas Processing Company, Aiteo Group, Nigerian Gas Company (NGC), Falcon Corporation, Frontier Oil Limited, Clarke Energy, Energia Limited, Frontier Oil, The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Power Gas Africa Limited, Shoreline, Total E& P, WAGPCo, OilServ Limited, Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Honeywell Group, Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority Nigeria (OGFZA), Oando PLC, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Gaius-Obaseki, Ibrahim Dahiru Waziri, Egbert Imomoh, Andrew Jamieson, Emmanuel Abayomi Olukoga, Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, Mr Charles Osezua, Engr. Chima Ibeneche, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, Mr Bolaji Osunsanya and Engr. Dada Thomas were all awarded for their Excellence in Leadership during their respective tenures as Presidents of the Nigerian Gas Association.
Also awarded for Exemplary Stewardship were Aka Nwokedi, Ayorinde Adedoyin, Chindinma Obi, Emeka Ene, Ike Oguine, Nath Oyatogun, Shaba Hassan and Yetunde Taiwo who had all distinguished themselves in service, under the Association.
Those who graced the occasion include the President of the Association; Mrs Audrey Joe-Ezigbo; the Lagos State Governor, who represented by the Honourable Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr Olalere Odusote, Chief executives within the industry and prominent leaders from other sectors of the economy.
Mrs Joe-Ezigbo elucidated the journey of the association and its significant growth over the decades.”It has been twenty years of impactful advocacy. Not without its challenges, but we have so much to celebrate. Today, the NGA has a very diverse membership made up of over 127 corporate organisations; drawn from the upstream, midstream and the downstream sectors of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Today NGA has over 2,000 professional members that include robust student representation”, she said.
While commending the association for 20 years of notable influence in the Natural Gas Value Chain, Lere Odusote stated thus; “Lagos state has been opened and will continue to be opened for business. We will welcome the engagement with the sector; we will welcome suggestions, we will welcome ideas, participation and partnership.”
According to recent statistics shared by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation research department, Nigeria’s proven Natural Gas reserve went up to 202 trillion cubic feet (tcf) from the initial figures in the past decades, steadily elevating the country’s capacity reserves to those of countries like Iran, Qatar, and Russia.
Through its many corporate member organisations in Nigeria, NGA covers all aspects of the Nigerian gas industry. Continually promoting industry dialogue and information sharing on industry best practices and latest technological advances, the NGA has consistently organized biennial International Conferences and Exhibitions that position the organisation for continued impact and industry relevance.
