By Edem Ekpo
Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe, representing Cross River North, has reaffirmed the Senate’s commitment to driving reforms that will unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s gas industry.
Speaking at the National LPG Conference and Exhibition in Lagos, the lawmaker assured stakeholders that the National Assembly is prepared to provide the legislative support and oversight necessary to strengthen the sector.
. The two-day event, held at the Balmoral Convention Center, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, was themed “Navigating the Future of LPG: Challenges, Opportunities and Collaboration.”
Senator Jarigbe, who chairs the Senate Committee on Gas, praised the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) for convening the conference at a time when Nigeria is prioritizing cleaner energy solutions. He lamented that despite Nigeria’s proven 209 trillion cubic feet of natural gas reserves, domestic LPG usage remains among the lowest in sub-Saharan Africa.
He emphasized that LPG provides a clean and affordable energy alternative capable of reducing deforestation, improving public health, and lowering household and industrial costs.
While identifying major obstacles including weak infrastructure, regulatory bottlenecks, overdependence on imports, and safety concerns, he stressed that opportunities also exist. These, he said, include legislative interventions, private sector financing, local utilization, wider access, and human capital development.
Jarigbe called for stronger collaboration among lawmakers, regulators, industry players, and development partners to build a gas-driven economy that will support Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
He further assured that the National Assembly will push for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), especially the provisions on gas commercialization and infrastructure expansion.