By Archibong Jeremiah And Obeten Godfery
The Cross River State Commissioner for Gas Resources, Barrister Chris Njar has disclosed that the proposed Calabar Gas City project the State Government is embarking on will create over 3000 jobs if completed.
Barrister Njar disclosed this when he spoke to CrossRiverWatch concerning the mandate of the Ministry.
The Commissioner disclosed that the mandate of the Ministry is to source for and engage the services of competent gas investors for effective exploration, development, management, and utilization of the gas resources of the State in line with the Nigerian gas master plan and associated gas master frame work agreement.
Mr. Chris said that the activities concerning gas are quite expensive, but his Ministry is taking its time to lay down a solid foundation for proper take off.
“We have done a lot of placements, and have taken into consideration the fact that people lack the LPG Gas plant (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) which is the domestic gas for domestic consumption.
“We are currently putting up the visibility studies and designs so that construction can take place; we want to build a gas terminal in Cross River State, specifically at the Calabar Water front, It is quite expensive, but the Government is determined to do it.” He said.
On the issue of funding for the project, the Commissioner said the Government will employ Public Private Partnership (PPP) for the execution of the project. He also said the project will cost over fifteen million dollars, which the private partners will come in with.
He added that the State Government will do its own bit by providing the land at the Water front, take over the initial preliminary design, give equity contributions to the investors to come in and execute their job.
He further revealed that “the State has gotten one investor, Green Ocean and Partners,” but that it is yet to make the agreement concrete.
The Commissioner however, didn’t state the exact timeline for the completion of the project, stating that there could be constraints and unforeseen circumstances, but the most important of all these is that the project must be executed.
“Gas projects are not easy to run into, it may even take up to a year trying to put things together. Sometimes, there could be other constraints and unforeseen circumstances in the course of execution of the project, but the most important thing is that it must be achieved.” He said.
Continuing, he disclosed that his Ministry is working out an arrangement with the Nigerian Gas Marketing Company (NGMC) to pipe and supply gas from NNPC spur and reticulate.
Maintaining that the State chose to power its power plants with gas over other options because gas is cheaper, clean, green and easy, and also for stable and constant power.
Secondly, because it is environmentally friendly.