In furtherance of its sustained efforts to promote environment-friendly energy supplies nationwide, the Federal Government is exploring gas reticulation systems with the inauguration of a Technical Working Group(TWG) saddled with the responsibility of developing a policy for safe and efficient distribution to urban dwellers.
Gas reticulation entails linking a network of pipes to supply gas directly to urban buildings and it has been used in most developed countries for efficient energy delivery to end users.
The latest initiative, which is being championed by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, is designed to improve urban gas distribution with primary focus on energy efficiency and safety.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Ambassador Nicholas Ella, while inaugurating the TWG, which is a collaborative initiative between the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP) and the Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), highlighted that a key tool in achieving such cities is adherence to the National Building Code, which provided guidelines for building design construction, and post-construction stages.
Specifically, the TWG is responsible for designing a comprehensive policy to establish best practices for gas distribution using the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Piped Natural Gas (PNG), and Bio-Gas in the nation’s building sector.
Some of its tasks include reviewing the National Building Code, assessing global standards, and recommending quality standards for materials used in gas installations.
The TWG is expected to submit its report on November 15 this year.
He said: “Most modern cities in developed countries have evolved to energy smart cities where energy, especially gas and other utilities are piped to districts and estates.
“However, one of the key tools in creating energy smart city is the National Building Code which, in essence, sets the guidelines on Building Pre-design , designs, constructions and post-construction stages”, Ella added.
While highlighting the benefits of reticulated gas systems, he pointed out that apart from the environmental benefits, they allow for metered gas supply, thereby eliminating the logistics associated with manual refills.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary explained that the systems remained dependable in terms of safety by using buried pipes and advanced safety equipment.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of CORBON, Engr. Samson Opaliwah, assured the council’s readiness to collaborate with the TWG partners in order to achieve its mandate, adding that their efforts will help in preparing standardized guidelines for safe and efficient gas systems in the country.
