National president of Natural Gas and Auto Electrical Equipment Dealers Association of Nigeria NAGEDAN, Owelle Oliver Ezeike has urged the federal government to leverage on the war in Ukraine to stamp their foot as the largest supplier of Natural gas to Europe.
Speaking to newsmen after an emergency executive meeting of the Association on Friday in Enugu, Chief Ezeike pointed out that the visit of the European community on Natural gas request is an avenue that cannot be neglected.
The European delegates led by Baldwin Mathew visited the Petroleum minister, Timipre Sylva, and officially requested for Nigeria to begin the supply of natural gas to the whole Europe.
Owelle Ezeike also pointed out that at the Nigeria and Portugal summit held in Lisbon Portugal in June, the Portuguese prime minister Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa disclosed that Portugal purchased the total of $1b worth of natural gas from Nigeria in only the first quarter of 2022.
He went futher to say that the second quarter which has not come to an end, the total purchase has surpassed $2b and still counting.
One can then imagine how much we can make when Germany, Italy and the rest of European countries starts getting their gas from Nigeria. “It would be enormous.”
Owelle therefore urged the federal government to facilitate efforts in completing the Trans Sahara gas pipe line TSGP project which currently stopped in Ghana, to be able supply the natural gas to Europe, before they diverts their attention to a more serious middle east.
“The worries is that the European countries needs these gas as a matter of urgency. Winter is approaching, and Russia has shut down gas pipeline Nord Stream 2 that supply gas to Europe.
“So the unnecessary bottle neck/ fraudulent delays to extort, would not be tolerated. There are lots of other countries out there waiting to pounce on Nigerian’s lackadaisical attitude and offer their gas to Europe. We have these Natural gas in large quantity. Even the supply for national consumption still needs to improve.
“Over 60% of Nigerians are yet to embrace cooking gas in their kitchens, because of its high cost. Even at this, imported gas still finds its way into Nigeria market. Nigeria has a population of over 220 million people. This is almost one third of the entire europe population, and more than the population of the rest of West African countries added together.
“So the market in Nigeria alone is enough. But here we are counting our feet, while the opportunity is slipping away. Now is the opportunity to get Nigeria back on track.
Owelle Ezeike futher said that the meeting was centered on the forthcoming AGM in October.
He finally urged the federal government to channel more effort towards the gas sector, rather than killing private businesses in the country with unreasonable tax laws, that doesn’t make much sense.
He lamented the cries of various entrepreneurs in the country on their experiences in tax payments. “Double and even triple taxations are everywhere. Taxes apart from VAT are supposed to be paid from profits, but the tax officers would make sure you pay even from your capital.
“With the high cost of diesel and lack of necessary infrastructure in the country, a lot of private establishments are shutting down, yet the tax authorities are out there helping more to go down.
“Various laws in the finance act are actually made with malice against businesses men in this country.”
He further cautioned the federal government to carefully look into the present tax regime and device ways of cushioning the effects on the private sector.
Also speaking, another top member of the association comrade Fidelis Ogili on his own part said that coordinators have been appointed to various states to mobilise more members for the association.
He noted that Ndubuisi Egbogota has been appointed as the coordinator for Anambra state, Ugochukwu Uchegbu and Sunday Agabai are coordinators for Abia/ Imo states.
Fidelis Ogili and Dave Nnaji are in charge of Anambra while Muyiwa Oluwakeye is in incharge of Porthacourt.
Other state coordinators, he said, would be appointed at the AGM.
The coordinators were mandated to sensitise all the dealers in Natural gas value chain to embrace this opportunity and get registered with the association, to get a sense of belonging.
He further said that the association would provide security against government harassment and irregular tax regime.
