Nation
Make Downstream Sector Work Again, Stakeholders Task FG
Stakeholders in the oil and gas industry have challenged the Federal Government to immediately put necessary machinery in motion to ensure that the nation’s downstream sector of the oil and gas industry begins working again, in other to impact positively on the economy.
They gave the charge at the 5th International Conference on Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals organized by the Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals (CGRP), University of Port Harcourt, in collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE), held at the university campus in Port Harcourt, recently.
With the theme, “Towards A Robust Refining, Petrochemicals, And Gas Industry In Nigeria” the conference’s key objective was to proffer actionable solutions that could engender seamless operations of petroleum refining, petrochemicals and gas industry in Nigeria.
They insisted that policy makers’ and industry operators’ attention needed to be drawn towards making a paradigm shift from exporting crude to in-country processing, and also leaning more on gas and petrochemicals therefrom to drive industrialization in Nigeria.
In a communiqué at the end of the one-day international virtual conference, signed by the Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Stephen Okodudu; Chairman of Governing Board, CGRP, Engr. Anthony Ogbuigwe; National President, NSChE, Engr, Onochie Anyaoku; and Ag. Director, Centre for Gas, Refining and Petrochemicals, Dr Ipeghan Otaraku, they commended the Federal Government in its drive towards repositioning the oil and gas industry, particularly the downstream sector, and commitment to passing the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), lamenting that over $30billion was expended yearly on importation of petroleum products in Nigeria.
In their opening remarks, the Chief Host and Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Stephen Okodudu and the National President of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE), Engr. Onochie Azubuike Anyaoku, urged all stakeholders to join hands together to reposition the industry in order to add value to the nation’s economy.
The keynote address was presented by former GED Refining and Petrochemicals, NNPC and Chairman of CGRP Governing Board, Engr. Anthony Ogbuigwe.
In his paper presentation, titled, “The Gas Conundrum: The way out for Industrialization and Consumption in Nigeria”, the Managing Director, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Engr. Tony Attah, highlighted the role of gas in today’s energy mix, describing it as the bedrock of industrialization in Nigeria.
While the Executive Secretary, African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARA), Engr. Anibor Kragha presented a paper titled, “Getting the Petroleum Refineries back on stream: Sustainability and Socio-economic considerations”, the Group Chief Technical Officer, Notore Chemical Industries Limited, Engr. Bode Agagu, presented another paper titled, “Diversification of Petrochemicals Production in Nigeria: Overcoming the Challenges”.
No fewer than 292 participants, drawn from captains and operators of industry, including Nigerian Refining Companies, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Indorama, Notore), as well as academia, professionals, NGOs, and policy makers across the globe were in attendance.
Part of the communiqué reads, “Dependence on importation for our petroleum product needs is unacceptable and unsustainable because of its negative impact on scarce foreign exchange, the economy, loss of job creation opportunities.
“The advantages of local refining over importation of petroleum products are keys to improved security, saving of foreign exchange, industrial development, job creation, manpower development, industrial harmony and other environmental benefits.
“Privatization and Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) have proved to be excellent economic models as seen at Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited, Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited and Notore Chemical Industries Limited.
“Government policy inconsistency and adverse socio-economic considerations are some factors that militate against setting up of private refineries in Nigeria.
“Nigeria, like other African countries, has not given sufficient attention to targeted and sustainable financing of the downstream sector.
“The demand for crude oil and other fossil fuels as energy sources have been on a steady decline over the years because oil is losing its energy value due to stringent environmental policies of governments of various countries.
‘The concept of Triple Helix – close co-operation between Academia, Government, Industry and Professional Bodies was pinpointed as the appropriate route to drive desired change in the downstream sector.
“Also, the required future outcome in tertiary education can only be achieved via curriculum change so as to produce the smart industry input.
Industry and Community harmony is enhanced through equity participation of the community as has been experienced in Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited.
“The need for refinery upgrade and cleaner fuels infrastructure was fully highlighted. The demand for gas to produce more petrochemical products has been on the rise. Global climate change policies can impact on foreign direct investments (FDI’s) in gas, refining and petrochemicals operations.
“There is need for the harmonization of clean fuel specifications and tariffs across Africa to encourage inter-regional trade and address public health concerns. Gas has been described as the biggest opportunity in Nigeria for the future, and Hydrogen identified as the future of green energy.”
The conference further urged “the Presidency and the Ministry of Petroleum Resources to, as a matter of priority, discourage the importation of petroleum products. All efforts should be made to get the nation’s four refineries back on stream either through Public Private Partnership as in the NLNG model or privatization as in the Indorama and Notore models.
“The efforts of Dangote refinery are highly commended. Government should, therefore, offer every necessary assistance to facilitate its speedy completion and commissioning.
“Operators of the Downstream Industry should adopt reliability-centred maintenance practices (RCMP) as this will enhance their plants and operations for sustainable on-stream availability and high capacity utilisation.
“The Federal Government should ensure more private sector participation in the downstream sector to encourage effective harnessing of the nation’s gas and hydrocarbon potentials.
“The Federal Government should provide the enabling environment and policy initiatives for investors to engage in key infrastructural development that supports industrial growth in the Country.
“The Federal Government and the National Assembly should collaborate with International agencies, to pursue and implement Global Climate Change policies for clean fuels and renewable alternatives. Systematic and sustainable transition to cleaner fuels is an imperative to ensure public health.
“The Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) should collaborate with the Universities to change curriculum to inculcate big data, digitization and artificial intelligence in learning and research. This will produce the needed manpower of the future downstream sector of the Oil and Gas industry.
“Academia and Industry should work together to harness the synergy of the Town-and-Gown concept especially in proffering smart solutions to industrial challenges.
“The Federal Government, security agencies and host communities should ensure a robust security architecture that can create a secured environment for investors and industrial security.
“Government should make all efforts to facilitate the availability of enough Natural Gas to support Indorama’s and Notore’s production of petrochemicals (polymers) and fertilizers, which are the engine room of both the industrial and agricultural sectors of Nigeria.
“The National Assembly and the Federal Government should speed-up the passage, signing and implementation of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) so as to fast track growth of the oil and gas industry.
“The Federal Government should encourage foreign and local investors to achieve targeted financing of the downstream sector, especially the infrastructural development of the gas industry,” they added.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to enhancing the safety of the seafaring profession and upgrading maritime institutions to international standards.
Speaking at the 2025 World Seafarers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, organised by NIMASA, with the theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship.
He said that this year’s theme “speaks to our collective duty to make every ship a safe and respectful workplace noting that harassment and bullying have no place in our maritime industry.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of continuous training and retraining to ensure seafarers remain competitive and employable.
Also speaking, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari, emphasised that seafarers are the backbone of international trade, facilitating the smooth transportation of goods and services across the globe.
He stressed the need to eliminate all forms of violence, harassment, and bullying against seafarers.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, emphasised the need for the maritime community to prioritise the welfare, safety of seafarers and maintain zero tolerance for harassment.
According to the DG, “Today provides opportunity for the Maritime Community to honor seafarers globally for their immense contribution to both domestic and international trade, powering the blue economy and connecting nations across oceans”.
He said that this year’s theme was particularly apt, as it was a call to action to “ensure that our seafarers feel safe, are valued and protected while at sea because the ship is not just their place of work; it is their temporary home. It must therefore reflect the highest standards of dignity and professionalism fostering zero tolerance for harassment”.
He declared that NIMASA must continue to play its part in ensuring that Nigeria contributes effectively to regulations affecting seafarers, as Nigeria remains the highest contributor of seafarers in Africa. “Our men and women sail on vessels in our domestic waters and also globally. This will continue to grow through the Nigerian Seafarers Development Program (NSDP) and the effort of our Maritime Training Institutions.
‘At the recently concluded 113th session of the International Labour Conference held in Geneva, seven (7) amendments to the MLC 2006 code addressing a broad range of issues affecting seafarers, including the recognition of seafarers as key workers, improved protection against ship board violence and harassment, enhanced access to shore leave and repatriation and updated medical and occupational safety standards were approved by an overwhelming majority.
These seven (7) amendments reflect collective global effort to align maritime Labour standards with the evolving landscape of global shipping.
I, therefore, call on shipowners, operators and crewing agencies to begin to review their operational manuals to align with these amendments ahead of the expected entry into force in December 2027. Our seafarers must be able to report grievances without fear of retaliation, while also ensuring protection against vexations or malicious complaints.
He added that NIMASA will play its role by establishing clear policies and procedures for preventing and addressing harassment on Nigerian-flagged vessels, ensuring confidential reporting channels for incidents of harassment and that reports are thoroughly investigated and addressed.
“Today is a clear reminder to us all – government, employers, unions, shipowners, and civil society- that seafarers should not be left alone in their struggles. They look up to us to help them foster a culture of zero tolerance on ships to protect their dignity”, he stated.
He also assured that under his leadership, NIMASA will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, particularly the renewal of entries into force by ship owners, operators, and relevant agencies come December 2027.
Stakeholders drawn across the four local government areas of Ogoniland in Rivers State, have expressed delight over the excellent performance of the Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof Nenibarini Zabbey within the past two years, describing him as a true patriot, who has been showing leadership in delivering service to the people.
The stakeholders, who gave the indication in their separate goodwill messages during the mid-term stakeholders engagement and scorecard presentation organised by HYPREP in Port Harcourt, scored the Project Coordinator high on the Ogoni cleanup and the overall implementation of the recommendations of the UNEP Report on Ogoniland.
The President of KAGOTE and Board member of the Ogoni Trust Fund, Hon Emma Deeyah, particularly commended Zabbey for turning around the fortunes of the Ogoni people, as they are now having value for the money earmarked for the cleanup project, describing the Project Coordinator as “one of our best.”
He noted that Zabbey has done well on the saddle, working very hard, being an administrator and leader with listening ears, striving assiduously to meet the yearnings and expectations of the people.
He said the Ogoni cleanup is a journey that has just begun, stressing that he was happy that the Project Coordinator is not on the saddle to amass wealth but to deliver and achieve results, and appealed to the Ogoni people to continue to give him their support.
On his part, member representing Gokana/Khana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Host Communities, Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, said HYPREP under the watch of Zabbey is working with renewed vigour, and thanked the Project Coordinator for driving the Ogoni cleanup project with passion.
He noted that the funds dedicated and earmarked for the project are running out, disclosing that he was working on an Executive Bill, to facilitate the work of HYPREP.
While stressing the need for the people to take full responsibility of all the projects sited in their communities, Dekor regretted that some beneficiaries had sold the starter packs presented to them by HYPREP, while the water facility provided in his Bierra community has been vandalised.
The King of Tai Kingdom, King Samuel Nnee, said HYPREP under Zabbey as Project Coordinator has been delivering on its mandate, describing him as a square peg in a square hole, who has given hope to the Ogoni people.
The monarch urged the Ogoni people to give the Project Coordinator the necessary support.
The Paramount Ruler of Barako Community and member of the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Mene Kadilo Kabari, said Zabbey has always demonstrated that he is a true patriot by carrying along Ogoni people from all strata of the society, describing him as a performing Project Coordinator.
He noted that the bane of HYPREP before now had been the conflict between the Project Coordinator and the Minister of Environment, saying, under Zabbey, Ogoni people can now see what unity of purpose can achieve.
He expressed delight that the water facility which was the first commissioned by HYPREP in his community is functioning optimally following the solar-powered system installed by the Project.
The King of Eleme Kingdom, King(Dr) Philip Osaro Obelle thanked HYPREP’s management team for all that it is doing in Ogoniland, stressing that the Project was built on the graves, bellies and blood of Ogoni sons and daughters who lost their lives during the Ogoni struggle.
He, therefore, advised HYPREP “not to deviate from the expectations of our heroes but to do those things that would benefit Ogoni people for the betterment of Ogoniland.”
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Netherlands, Hon Oji Ngofa said HYPREP has been like the government of Ogoniland, and harped on the sustainability of all the projects.
According to him, Zabbey has been giving HYPREP a human face.
Former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof Barineme Fakae applauded Zabbey for the construction of the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, and stressed the need for the implementation of the recommendations of its technical committee which recently submitted its report.
According to him, if the project succeeds, Ogoni people are going to succeed.
Chief Priscillia Vikue, on her part, thanked Zabbey for his outstanding performance, saying, the women of Ogoni are very happy with what he is doing in Ogoniland.
While scoring the Project Coordinator highly on his performance, she said the women are happy because Zabbey knows what he is doing with HYPREP.
“You went to school.You did not cut corners.You are a square peg in a square hole.You have engaged women and the youths. We have seen what you have done. And we give you A1”, she said, and challenged Zabbey to see how more women would participate in the project and also how to sustain it.
In his remarks, the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey said the mid-term engagement is important because “it allows us to present tangible evidence of progress in the Ogoni cleanup effort, reinforce accountability, deepen transparency, and most importantly, enables HYPREP to interact directly with the communities and stakeholders who are the heartbeat of this project.”
He noted that the scorecard presentation is designed to show what HYPREP has achieved across key thematic areas, what challenges it is currently grappling with, and what the road ahead looks like, saying, “it is a moment for stocktaking and for re-affirming our shared commitment to the success of the Ogoni cleanup project”.
According to him, HYPREP has recorded commendable progress in the implementation of its core mandates in line with UNEP recommendations and the directives in the official gazette establishing HYPREP.
Donatus Ebi
The South-South representative of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Board, Rt. Hon. Aboh Uduyok, has concluded his one-day official visit to Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Rumuola, Rivers State, with the unveiling of the Mass Communication Department classroom building. The project was executed under the 2021 TETFund intervention project.
During the unveiling of the project, Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rt. Hon. Uduyok commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to the educational sector and praised the polytechnic’s management for utilising TETFund resources judiciously.
He noted that the quality of ongoing projects met approved specifications, and expressed satisfaction with the institution’s progress.
The TETFund representative stated that his visit was aimed at familiarising himself with beneficiary schools, assess fund utilization, and identify challenges.
He assured the school management that he would convey their requests for constructing engineering works and hostel accommodations to the board and notify them of any approval.
Rt. Hon. Uduyok explained that the TETFund Board is not initiating new projects this year, except where necessary, due to presidential directives. However, he commended the institution for the commendable quality of both completed and ongoing projects.
In his welcome address, the Rector of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses S. Neebee, thanked the TETFund representative for visiting, and highlighted the institution’s successes and challenges. He requested support for hostel accommodations and engineering works, emphasising that a higher institution without hostels is akin to a glorified secondary school.
Dr. Neebee while briefing the visitor on the institution’s progress, noted that it currently runs 21 National Diploma programme and five Higher National Diploma courses. He disclosed that the school accessed the 2021 TETFund release in full but faced challenges with the 2023 fund due to harsh economic conditions and bid process delays, which increased project costs. The Rector pleaded for assistance in securing additional funds for the 2023 intervention release.
Akujobi Amadi