Abuja — Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, and Minister of Power, Lanre Babalola, have summoned the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) Steering Council to convene a national meeting on gas.

The meeting is to create a forum for gas companies and other relevant stakeholders in the industry to meet, deliberate and thereafter find lasting solutions to the various challenges bedevilling smooth supply of gas to sectors requiring its use in the country.

Babalola, who disclosed this after a meeting of the NIPP Steering Council, with the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who presided in Abuja, observed two basic problems with gas supply, the first he identified as the challenges with the pipelines.

He said: "The pipelines have been compromised from time to time, even the ones evacuating condensate, which is the byproduct of trying to get dry gas." The second, he noted is inadequate gas supply.

Responding to the question relating to the drop of power supply from over 3,000 mega watts in December 2009 to 2,400 mega watts at the moment, Babalola affirmed that until all the challenges militating against smooth supply of the product to power stations are addressed, the problems of power will persist.

"Unless all the problems militating against the supply of gas to power stations are addressed, government cannot deliver more power to Nigerians."

According to him, the Ministry is discussing with the concerned Ministries and agencies, including that of Petroleum Resources and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to expedite their inputs to ultimately remedy the unfortunate situation.

As a way of adding some inputs to facilitate quick realisation of this objective, the Governor of Kaduna State, Namadi Sambo, has reiterated the commitment of the Steering Council towards speedy completion of the NIPP projects, which include power stations, transmission lines and distribution network.

Attributing the delays currently being experienced to community who do not allow contractors discharge their duties effectively and forge ahead with the work, he therefore urged Nigerians to be more patriotic and endeavour to ensure total security of these pipelines against vandalism and stealing of condensate.

He said: "Every Nigerian has a responsibility to protect our collective infrastructure."

The NIPP Steering Council was established by President Yar'Adua in February 2009 to ensure speedy completion of the NIPP power projects, which are being funded by the three tiers of government. On completion, they are expected to add about 5,000 mega watts to the national grid.