The Federal Government says it has concluded plans to enact a new regulatory instrument to ensure gas pipeline integrity, open access and common understanding on metering.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the government plans is contained in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) last quarter bulletin in 2014.

It said that the plan was part of government’s effort towards transparency and efficiency in the operation and management of pipelines nationwide.

According to it, the network code is a regulatory instrument geared at ensuring that only quality gas entered into the pipeline.

It said the code, moderated by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), was putting finishing touches in areas that would boost investment in the nation’s gas development.

It explained that the code was expected to be unveiled soon.

“As part of gas master plan, the gas network code is also being developed.

“When fully implemented, it presents a governance code for open access to the pipeline and other protocol which the NNPC and any other transporter of gas will abide by.”

It also said that the master plan, which was approved in February 2008, was designed to optimise the vast gas resources in the country.

The bulletin said that the movement, from the ground zero, was characterised by increasing unstable, thriving export.

The key strategies of the plan, it said, included stimulating the multiplier effect of gas in domestic economy; positioning Nigeria competitively in high value export markets, and guaranteeing long term energy security in the country.