Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has declared his administration’s intention to effectively utilize natural gas reserves in the state.
Uzodimma stated this at a sensitisation forum for stakeholders on the institutionalisation of diversification of the economy using natural gas, organised by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), in Owerri on Wednesday.
He said, “We remain committed to the utilisation of these resources for the betterment of our people”, he said.
The governor who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku, said in 2021, Nigeria posted nearly 300 cubic feet of natural gas reserves, ranking ninth in the world.
He noted that Imo holds the largest deposit of gas reserve amongst all Nigerian states, hence the need to harness the resource.
According to him, the effective utilisation of natural gas resources to improve the livelihood of Imo people is part of the mantra of Reconstruction Rehabilitation and Recovery.
He assured Imo people of his determination to fully harness the natural resources of the state with a view to improving the livelihood of the people.
“Imo State is blessed with abundant natural resources, part of which is the large deposit of natural gas reserves, Nigeria’s highest, yet untapped.
“By 2021, Nigeria posted nearly 300 cubic feet of natural gas reserves, ranking ninth in the world, with Imo holding the largest reserve amongst all Nigerian states.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Gas Monitoring Committee of the RMAFC, Mr Patrick Mbegbu, thanked the governor for providing the enabling environment for the activities of the RMAFC in the state.
He mentioned the major benefits of the state’s gas reserves to include an increase in revenue generation and job creation as well as a foreign exchange that can be generated from growing export business.
He added that gas has the capacity to transform the economy and assured Imo people that the RMAFC will ensure the commercialisation of gas resources in the state.
