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HEADLINES:President urges Nigeria gas production SCRIPT: Nigeria is endowed with huge gas resources which experts say are in excess of the nation’s oil reserves. However, it is very embarrassing to everyone including President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to note that till date a high percentage of Nigeria’s gas is still being wasted through flaring while countries like Trinidad and Tobago according to the vice president of the country’s energy cooperation have turned their country into the biggest gas producing sector in the world. Soundbite:President Umaru Musa Yaradua speaking (ENGLISH): “It is therefore essential that we develop appropriate mechanisms that allow this resource bases to be actively and efficiently exploited in a manner that adds integrity value to the national economy.” He points at the gas master plan already in place and solicits the support of all partners to ensure optimal development of the gas sector. The minister of state for energy,gas described the forum as in furtherance of this administration’s cardinal agenda that of energy security for economy growth in Nigeria. Minister of State for Energy Speaking (ENGLISH): “The present structure of the industry is essentially export focused,while the recent growth in domestic market has been interesting” Soundbite:President Umaru Musa Yaradua speaking(ENGLISH): “While the power and non-power sector demand has grown steadily, growth in domestic supply is lacking behind” Goodwill messages came from the chairman senate committee on gas Mr Osita Ezunaso who promised to give legislative backbone to the gas master plan of the administration. Soundbite:Osita Ezunaso Speaking(ENGLISH): “No specific effort has been mentioned about developing gas infrastructure in Nigeria,i believe all the forms that are taking place today should be sent to the national assembly for proper legislative scrutiny.” The first gas development forum in Nigeria enters its technical session with brain storming topics aimed at the development of a sustainable gas sector. For most observers, this is perhaps the beginning of the journey into making Nigeria a gas nation.