Oil & Energy
NAOC Commissions Projects In Bayelsa
In compliance to the agreed Memorandum of Understating with its host communities, the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and its joint venture partners have respectively. Commissioned a six classroom block in Abuetor Community in Sagbama Local Government Area and a community Town Hall in Ologoama community in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
In his remark while commissioning the projects during the week, NAOC General Manager, District, Giovanri Salvini, represented by the Public Relations Communication and Government Laison Manager, Prince Nwachuku Obi, said that the projects are true testimony of company’s willingness to improve the general living standard of the host communities.
He recalled that last year, NAOC respectively commissioned Okugbe Isoko Health Centre / Doctors and Nurses quarters in Osifo community, while in Okoroma clan, it commissioned 2 kilometer road and drains in Ologoama, Akakumama and Dorgu Ewoama communities of the clan.
According to him, “this exercise is not limited to the respective communities, we have over the past eight months, covered more than forty communities within the land and swamp Areas of our operational states of Beyalsa, Rivers, Delta and Imo.
He maintained that in order to empower the host communities, the contracts are awarded to indigenous contractors, advising them not to abandon projects awarded them, so as not to stall the developmental efforts of the company.
Prince Obi urged the respective communities to maintain the existing cordial relationship to enable the business environment continue to thrive.
Speaking, the Bayelsa State Ministry of Environment representative, Director, Ezekiel Adike, lauded Agip for its magnanimity and commended the various communities for maintaining peace in the area, as well as protecting the oil facilities sited in their domain.
He warned that any attempt to interrupt oil operations in the community will not only hamper progress in the area but will also affect the revenue allocation of the state and inturn show down the pace of development in the rural areas and the state in general.
Earlier in their address, the President-General of Abuetor community, Chief Lawrence Agwor thanked Nigerian Agip Oil Company and its joint venture for their commitment toward the realisation of the six-class room block project for and the government’s preparedness to take over the school.
He appealed to NAOC to expedite action on the supply of science equipment and provision of mini-water scheme for effective take off of the school.
He called on the government to complement NAOC’s efforts by providing hostels, teachers quarters and other necessary amenities. The President demanded that NAOC should as a matter of priority separate the new MOU between the Abuetor, Osifo and Osekwenike communities, in order to fostering peace and unity among the sister communities.
Similarly the CDC chairman of Ologoama, Edler Willis Obiene, in an address, expressed his appreciation over the electrification, Health Centre, Concrete landing jetty/roads and water scheme projects already commissioned in the area by Agip as well as the town hall project.
The chairman Ologoama council of Chiefs, Chief Ohikakpan expressed his gratitude over the kind gesture of NAOC, describing Agip as the only visible government in action in Ologoama.
He enjoined the community to encourage the company to site more developmental projects by ensuring that peace and tranquillity reigns so as to create enabling environment for NAOC smooth oil operations to thrive.
The Federal Government has offered explanation with regard to recent changes to fuel sulphur content standards for diesel.
The Government said the change was part of a regional harmonisation effort, not a relaxation of regulations for local refineries.
The Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, told newsmen that the move was only adhering to a 2020 decision by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which mandated a gradual shift to cleaner fuels across the region.
Ahmed said the new limits comply with the decision by ECOWAS that mandated stricter fuel specifications, with enforcement starting in January 2021 for non-ECOWAS imports and January 2025 for ECOWAS refineries.
“We are merely implementing the ECOWAS decision adopted in 2020. So, a local refinery with a 650 ppm sulphur in its product is permissible and safe under the ECOWAS rule until January next year where a uniform standard would apply to both the locally refined and imported products outside West Africa”, Ahmed said.
He said importers were notified of the progressive reduction in allowable sulphur content, reaching 200 ppm this month from 300 ppm in February, well before the giant Dangote refinery began supplying diesel.
Recall that an S&P Global report, last week, noted a significant shift in the West African fuel market after Nigeria altered its maximum diesel sulphur content from 200 parts per million (ppm) to around 650 ppm, sparking concerns it might be lowering its standards to accommodate domestically produced diesel which exceeds the 200 ppm cap.
High sulphur content in fuels can damage engines and contribute to air pollution. Nevertheless, the ECOWAS rule currently allows locally produced fuel to have a higher sulphur content until January 2025.
At that point, a uniform standard of below 5 ppm will apply to both domestic refining and imports from outside West Africa.
Importers were previously permitted to bring in diesel with a sulphur content between 1,500 ppm and 3,000 ppm.
It would be noted that the shift to cleaner fuels aligns with global environmental efforts and ensures a level playing field for regional refiners.
The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) plc says it has commenced implementation of the April 2024 Supplementary Order to the MYTO in its franchise area while assuring customers of improved service delivery.
The Supplementary order, which took effect on April 3, 2024, emphasizes provisions of the MYTO applicable to customers on the Band A segment taking into consideration other favorable obligations by the service provider to Band A customers.
The Head, Corporate Communications of the company, Olubukola Ilvebare, revealed that under the new tariff regime, customers on Band A Feeders who typically receive a minimum supply of power for 20hours per day, would now be obliged to pay N225/kwh.
“According to the Order, this new tariff is modeled to cushion the effects of recent shifts in key economic indices such as inflation rates, foreign exchange rates, gas prices, as well as enable improved delivery of other responsibilities across the value chain which impact operational efficiencies and ability to reliably supply power to esteemed customers.
“PHED assures Band A customers of full compliance with the objectives of the new tariff order”, he stated.
Ilvebare also said the management team was committed to delivering of optimal and quality services in this cost reflective dispensation.
The PHED further informed its esteemed customers on the other service Bands of B, C D & E, that their tariff remains unchanged, adding that the recently implemented supplementary order was only APPLICABLE to customers on Band A Feeders.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has announced the signing of an agreement with African Refinery for a share subscription agreement with Port-Harcourt Refinery.
The agreement would see the co-location of a 100,000bpd refinery within the Port-Harcourt Refinery complex.
This was disclosed in a press statement on the company’s official X handle detailing the nitty-gritty of the deal.
According to the NNPCL, the new refinery, when operational, would produce PMS, AGO, ATK, LPG for both the local and international markets.
It stated, “NNPC Limited’s moves to boost local refining capacity witnessed a boost today with the signing of share subscription agreement between NNPC Limited and African Refinery Port Harcourt Limited for the co-location of a 100,000bpd capacity refinery within the PHRC complex.
“The signing of the agreement is a significant step towards setting in motion the process of building a new refinery which, when fully operational, will supply PMS, AGO, ATK, LPG, and other petroleum products to the local and international markets and provide employment opportunities for Nigerians.
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