Another milestone was recorded recently at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abuja, when the Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, received a high-level delegation of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) led by its National President, Hon. Bello Lawal.
The engagement centred on collaboration for the LPG Grassroots Penetration Programme.
In his remarks, ALGON National President thanked the Minister for the honour of receiving the delegation.
He stated that the meeting was convened to explore collaboration between the Ministry and ALGON in implementing the LPG value chain across the 774 Local Government Areas and Area Councils where the grassroots are domiciled.
Hon. Lawal commended the Minister for the successful launch of the programme and appreciated his openness and commitment to clean energy leadership.
He announced ALGON’s readiness to mobilise communities in support of equitable distribution of LPG cylinders and to facilitate monitoring mechanisms across rural areas.
To deepen implementation, he proposed the establishment of a joint technical committee, financial and technical support, collaboration on a nationwide sensitisation campaign, and a pilot scheme in selected LGAs, among other requests.
In his response, the Hon. Minister Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo thanked the delegation and acknowledged the political will of the Association under the leadership of Engr. Bello Lawal.
He commended ALGON for sustaining the existing relationship and noted that the Ministry has enjoyed a productive partnership with the Association through its Technical Working Group chaired by Senator Dr. Alphonsus Ubanesse Igbeke, Financial/Lead Consultant to ALGON. Rt. Hon. Ekpo stressed that Local Governments have the capacity to attract such lawful incentives and affirmed that the Ministry will provide support alongside private partners.
He called for the designation of desk officers to ensure timely feedbacks.
Reacting to the Minister’s recognition of Senator Igbeke and Dimeji Lamuren, an insight was quickly drawn for their contributions in the Technical Working Group (TWG), which the National President recalled regarding the TWG-ALGON gas programme.
The ALGON delegation comprised the Director General, Barr. Mrs. Evan Enekwe, Chief of Staff Shehu Jega, and Financial/Lead Consultant to ALGON, Senator Dr. Alphonsus Ubanesse Igbeke, alongside other key personalities.
Also in attendance were Dr. Ben Nkechika, ALGON Consultant on Health Matters; Dimeji Lamuren, Deputy Director, Planning, Research and Programmes; Alhaji Lawali Ibrahim, Deputy Director, Human Resources; Gloria Udoh, Secretary; and other senior Directors of the Ministry.
