Buhari pledges conversion of gas for easy export
Tobi Soniyi in Abuja

The economic meltdown in Nigeria is affecting neighbouring countries, the President of Benin Republic, Patrice Talon, has said.

Talon who is in Nigeria on a one-day visit spoke at a joint press briefing between him and his host, President Muhammadu Buhari.

He lamented that the economic downturn in Nigeria was gradually affecting his country and other nations in the West African sub region.

Describing Nigeria as the engine room of West Africa, Talon challenged Nigeria to begin to explore its non-oil potentials to boost the country’s revenue profile and its standing as a big brother in Africa.

Talon said he was looking forward to reactivatig the existing bilateral relationship between Benin and Nigeria especially in the areas of trade relations, economy, energy development and education.
He pledged to partner Nigeria in dealing with the problem of illicit trade affecting both countries.

Earlier, Buhari has said his administration was considering the possibility of using modern technology to transform gas into liquid form for easy export, especially to the West- African sub-region.

The president also said Nigeria is making efforts to ensure that the West African Gas Pipeline project becomes more efficient to stabilise the energy sectors across the West African sub-region.

Buhari said the government was doing everything possible to stabilise the gas pipelines to enhance electricity supply in Benin and other West African sub-region.

“The economy part of (our discussion) it is mainly energy, making sure that the West African Gas pipeline is made much more efficient. This government is making all the efforts it can to stabilise the situation because the resources are there.

“The world knows that Nigeria has plenty of gas, what we need to do is to stabilise the environment so that this gas can be regularly pumped to the sub-region through the infrastructure already in place.

“Also, the Nigerian energy mixed is not doing too badly as gas can now be converted into liquid form gas, the technology is now available, to transfers to Benin Republic to run their power stations.
“The sad and long standing problem is the question of using Benin as a transit camp to bring a lot of goods into Nigeria.

“Under ECOWAS agreement, all we have to do is to remind ourselves about our respective national commitments that other than reall ECOWAS-originated commodities, we should not allow it. If we get strict on that, I think Nigerian industries would benefit from ECOWAS agreements,’’ he said.

caprini1:
No kidding....I was in Ghana , Togo and Benin the better part of July and believe me it's no joke.....the CFA is now 1600 to 1000 naira....you can imagine what this means.Its better you buy everything you need in naija ,than buying a match box in any of these countries.

Beadex1:
I won't be forced To believe that The Niger delta AKA 5percent Is The resource base of The whole West Africa.............. Tell me this Is not true mbok

Beadex1:
I won't be forced To believe that The Niger delta AKA 5percent Is The resource base of The whole West Africa.............. Tell me this Is not true mbok

MadeInTokyo:
Buhari a.k.a General Cassandra is colossal failure and an Economic disaster to Nigeria and other Africa Countries, that need to be eradicated.



Only zombies and Abobaku still believe that the Nigerian Economy is improving.



The fall of the Nigerian Economy is affecting African Countries negatively.




Buhari is a burukutu drinking, gworo chewing Economic Disaster that neyed to be Eradicated.

egift:
Nigeria is a great country our coughing make others catch cold. Nigeria will overcome all its current economic challenges. God bless Nigeria.

temptnow:
No be lie o. I remember some oyinbo people in Cotonou were telling me we made mistake in voting buhari. That our bad economy is affecting their car business there. Cos na naija dey buy all the cars there.

AdaNri1:
Instead of them to blame the incompetent man they voted for they're excusing his crass cluelessness as if Nigeria is the only country that exports oil. Are we the only country with insurgence? Better call a spade a spade