Business
Energy Firms Tour C’River Rural Power Projects
The Nigerian Energy
Support Programme (NESP) in conjunction with the German International Co-operation (GIZ), foreign partners on Rural Electrification have concluded a five-day mission visit to Cross River State.
The team which was received by the Acting Director-General of the State Electrification Agency (SEA), Engr. Philip Nkanu, carried out consultation and advocacy visit to relevant stakeholders and Agencies during the visit.
Speaking at a meeting with the State Working Group on Rural Electrification, which was held recently at the Conference room of the State Electrification Agency (SEA), the Team Leader, and Advisor, NESP, Engr. Olumide Fatoki, disclosed that the purpose of the visit was to collaborate with the State Working Group on rural electrification to ascertain the energy efficiency of the state, visit some prospective energy sites, identify un-electrified communities, see which supply option could effectively serve them such as the stand-alone system, the mini grid or centralised system, amongst others.
He, therefore, solicited for the co-operation of all members of the State Working Group to ensure that the project comes to reality, adding that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) had already been signed with the state government.
Also speaking, during a presentation at a workshop organized for the State Working Group, the Advisor, Rural Electrification, NESP, Dr. Sanusi Ohiare, stated that the history of rural electrification dates back to 1981 and the key player then was National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) but as a result of un-satisfactory and low quality services, rundown of infrastructure and the inability of the power generated to meet the growing demand, there was a need for the reform of the Power Sector which resulted in liberalisation and privatisation of the sector, unbundling of autonomous transmission/distribution system amongst others.
The key players in the reform system include; the Federal Ministry of Mines and Power, the state and local governments as well as the private sector.
Ohiare highlighted some of the challenges of the Generic Rural Electrification planning to include; Political influence which compels Electrification Agencies to carry out projects in communities that are far away from the national grid or areas with difficult terrain or topography amongst others.
He added that, such projects would be capital intensive and, therefore, advised that equity should be adopted for the distribution of electricity and that a proper survey should also be conducted to ascertain communities that are yet to be electrified and the supply options that can serve them most effectively.
From Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
Business
CNG Committee Partners UN Agency On Greener Energy
The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGI) has partnered with the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All for the provision of greener and more sustainable energy in Nigeria.
The Programme Director/Chief Executive, PCNGI, Michael Oluwagbemi, who duclosed this at a workshop in Lagos, Friday, reiterated Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to sustainable strategies which he said would propel the nation toward a greener, more sustainable future.
In a Statement, Oluwagbemi said the workshop marked a significant milestone in the commitment of the nation to join the rest of the world in the enhancement of sustainable energy access.
While noting that the workshop was held as a follow-up to an initial meeting between SEforAll CEO, Ogunbiyi and PCNGi Chairman, Adedeji, held in Abuja, Oluwagbemi said it also showcased the progress and key initiatives contributing to Nigeria’s sustainable development agenda.
“These initiatives, presented with impact and relevance, are pivotal in steering Nigeria towards a more sustainable future, aligning with global goals and impacting the nation’s development landscape”, he said.
“The workshop aimed to identify opportunities for collaboration and outline concrete steps for forging impactful partnerships between SEforALL and FIRS/PCNGi.
“PCNGi’s active participation in the workshop underscores its dedication to fostering collaboration among key stakeholders”, Oluwagbemi said.
According to him, the committee envisions a future where sustainable practices are ingrained in Nigeria’s energy landscape, contributing to economic growth, environmental conservation, and enhanced energy access.
He reaffirmed the commitment to ongoing collaboration for all parties to drive sustainable solutions contributing to Nigeria’s broader development goals.
“As Nigeria’s sustainable development progresses, PCNGI remains a driving force, ensuring that the nation’s green growth goals are met and exceeded”, he stated.
The PCNGI boss revealed that the workshop featured presentations on critical topics including Nigeria Energy Transition Plan, Nigeria E-bus Strategy, Solar Empowerment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Nigeria Carbon Market Activation Plan.
Business
Tinubu Approves Fresh Marginal Field Bid
In a bid to revive Nigeria’s dormant oil and gas fields, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the green light for a new marginal field bid round, aiming to auction dormant oil and gas fields abandoned by international oil companies (IOCs) for over a decade.
Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, disclosed this during a visit to Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited’s modular refinery in Imo State.
Lokpobiri said the decision came on the heels of a strategic meeting between the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), the Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), oil firms and miners at the NEITI-Companies Forum.
According to him, the impending bid round follows a previous initiative in 2020, where approximately 57 marginal oilfields were put up for sale, concluding last year.
He, however, noted that challenges such as funding constraints and regulatory complexities hindered many recipients from promptly developing these assets.
Senator Lokpobiri stressed that the forthcoming bidding round, backed by presidential approval, would prioritize marginal fields located near modular refineries adding that this strategic alignment aims to expedite the production process.
Emphasizing the significance of modular refineries in addressing the country’s energy challenges, Senator Lokpobiri highlighted their role while the larger refineries undergo comprehensive rehabilitation.
The move by the Federal Government is anticipated to breathe new life into stagnant oil and gas fields, fostering economic administration’s vitalization in the sector.
Business
We’ve Robust PMS Supply To Last Beyond Yuletide-Kyari
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPCL) says it has made a robust plan for the supply of petroleum products sufficient to last beyond the ember months and the new year festivities.
The NNPCL said the supply of petroleum products, especially the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, would last beyond the Yuletide and new year festivities.
The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPCL, Malam Mele Kyari, said this when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the President of the Senate, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, last Wednesday in Abuja.
Kyari, in a statement by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communication Officer, NNPCL said by the creation of the National Assembly, NNPCL was saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing Nigeria’s energy security which was critical to national security.
“We have made a robust plan for the forthcoming end of the year festivities and beyond. We do not see any shortages in the petroleum products supply for the period,” the GCEO added.
While lauding the National Assembly for the critical role it played in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, Kyari said this legislative endeavour gave birth to a new commercially oriented National Oil Company, governed by the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) principles.
Kyari stated that with the passage of the PIA 2021, NNPCL’s profitability margins had significantly risen, growing from a loss position of N803 billion in 2018 to a profit position of N674 billion in 2021.
According to him, NNPCL is targeting a profit increase of N2 trillion when the 2022 Audited Financial Statements (AFS) are released, and since July, 2023 the Company has started paying dividends to its shareholders.
He also said the NNPCL was involved in the entire value-chain of the oil and gas business and controlled about 30 per cent of the nation’s petroleum downstream retail market.
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