President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday commissioned a gas processing facility at Uquo, constructed under a public private partnership arrangement between Septa Energy and the Government of Akwa Ibom.

The President stressed the need for an expansion of the nation oil and gas sector.

He said: “The nation’s gas known to be of much quantity than oil, when maximally utilised, will not only boost the economy and create employment, but will to a very large extent, reduce cases of gas flaring to its barest minimum by 2020.”

He spoke in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, after performing the commissioning ceremony of the Uqua Gas plant, Seven Energy Frontier Oil gas processing facility and the Accugas Limited in conjunction with the Akwa Ibom State Government in Esit Eket.

Jonathan, at the event in Akwa Ibom, commended the State Government for partnering the private sector in the promotion and development of infrastructures in the state.

The president stated that apart from reducing unemployment, the gas plant will encourage investment in other non oil sector.

The president also commended Chief Jim Ovia, Chairman Zenith Bank Group for the partnership, adding that the industrialisation effort which was worthy of encouragement will also complement his administration’s transformation agenda.