By Thompson ABISOLA
Matrix Energy Ltd., says its investment in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Nigeria is targeted at minimising greenhouse gas emission.
Mrs Toyin Sowumi, the company’s Chief Marketing Manager and the Terminal Manager, Mr Raphael Biu, gave the assurance at a “Meet Your Customers Forum” in Warri.
Sowumi said Nigeria was one of the lowest LPG user in Africa and that about 66 per cent of domestic and industrial energy consumers still relied on the use of firewood in the country.
According to her, Matrix, which is fast becoming a major player in the downstream sector, currently supplies 30 per cent of LPG distribution across Nigeria.
“The forum was organised to encourage investors in the LPG business and to support the climate change campaign to ensure the reduction of effect of greenhouse emission, she said.
Quoting from the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics records, Sowumi said that 66 per cent of Nigeria population still use firewood which she said encouraged deforestation and increase in greenhouse emission.
“We want to make sure that while meeting our present needs, we do not jeopardise the livelihood of future generations and a way to do that is to promote and encourage the use of LPG.
“To achieve the target of taking the LPG consumption rate in Nigeria from about 600 metric tons per annum to about two million by the year 2025, Matrix currently supplies 30 per cent across Nigeria.
“Matrix has deployed 65 LPG trucks to deliver products to its customers in different parts of the country and planning to procure more for easy distribution of product.
“Matrix decided to invest in the LPG to assist the Federal Government by way of taking more Nigerians away from dirty and dangerous energies sources.
“It also raises awareness of energy consumers to cleaner and cheaper energy and minimise effect of global warming.
“In the last one year, we have increased the availability of the product within the region and the ease of getting it,” she said.
Also, Mr Ogieva Okunbo, the President, Nigerian Association of LPG Marketers (NALGAM), urged the Federal Government to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) on locally sourced LPG.
He said that such gesture would make things easier for the LPG terminal operators.
Okunbo, who spoke with journalists on the sidelines, urged the Federal Government to use part of the subsidy on the importation of kerosene to produce more gas cylinders.
He said that if government could inject about five million cylinders annually into the system, in the next five years, gas would be the most commonly used source of energy in Nigeria.
