The Executive Director of the Institute for Energy Security (IES), Nana Amoasi VII, says both political and personal interests are contributing factors to the damage of the power sector.

According to him, natural gas from our own fields is sometimes flared or rejected, which is a lost opportunity.

In an interview with Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Nana Amoasi VII indicated that, at times, the gas is available, but the transmitter may refuse to transmit it due to financial constraints in the sector.

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“So, because we are not getting much from our own domestic sources, and sometimes we could even have the gas, but the transmitter (WABCO) may refuse to transmit it. We saw a letter three days ago indicating that they want to undertake some pipeline cleaning and other activities. That becomes a restriction on gas flow,” he said on Monday, November 25.

Nana Amoasi VII added that they occasionally restrict the flow of gas by closing valves or resorting to false maintenance with the intention of forcing the government to pay.

He asserted that, at times, the government seems unconcerned because they believe they can rely on liquid fuel supply, which creates an opportunity for individuals to make money.

"I am sure the government sometimes doesn’t care because they believe they can resort to liquid fuel supply, which creates an opportunity for someone to make money,” he remarked.

Nana Amoasi VII also added that, despite the country having a domestic natural gas supply supported by Nigerian Gas, it is mismanaged by those in authority.

“It is still the same mismanagement we are talking about. Even though we have a domestic natural gas supply supported by Nigerian Gas, we still resort to liquid fuel because that is where the interest lies, and because we have not been sound and efficient in managing the financial space of the sector,” he said.