Nation

Make Downstream Sector Work Again, Stakeholders Task FG

Published

5 years ago

December 9, 2020

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 5^th 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

Nation

NGOs Urge RSG To Prioritise Child Protection Funding

Published

5 days ago

June 20, 2025

The Tide

The South South Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention Info Hub, in partnership with the Child Protection Network(CPN), Rivers State and the Gender and Development Action (GADA) has called on the Rivers State Government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence(SGBV), and put measures in place to facilitate transformative reforms in the State’s budgeting and planning, to prioritise children’s rights, with focus on combating SGBV.

The NGOs, which made the call during a media briefing as part of activities to commemorate this year’s Day of the African Child in Port Harcourt last Monday, said Rivers State particularly faces a severe SGBV crisis, profoundly affecting children and caregivers.

They noted that this year’s theme of the Day of the African Child, ‘Planning and Budgeting for Children’s Rights:Progress Since 2010’, is apt and timely, as it urges African Union(AU) member states to assess progress in integrating children’s issues into national budgets since 2010 and adopt child rights-based budgeting approaches.

According to the media statement signed by Inyingi Irimagha of the Gender and Development Action(GADA); Darling Ogbulu Peter of the Child Protection Network (CPN); and Loretta Ahuokpeme of the South South SGBV Prevention Info Hub, in Rivers State, SGBV, inadequate funding, and political instability exacerbate vulnerabilities, leaving critical social services under-sourced.

The NGOs frowned at a situation where Rivers State is the only State in the South South without accredited Sexual Assault Referral Centres(SARCs), saying, this leaves child survivors without critical medical care, psychological support or legal aid, thus, resulting in prolonged trauma, physical injuries, and social stigmatisation, violating their rights to safety and well-being.

They, therefore, urged the state government to prioritise dedicated funding for child protection and the eradication of SGBV, contending that as the only State in the South South region without an accredited SARC, Rivers State must act swiftly to establish explicit budget lines and engage stakeholders to address critical issues affecting children and caregivers.

To align with the African Union’s theme for this year’s Day of the African Child, they called on the State to reform her budgeting, to prioritise SGBV and child protection; and the State’s Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and the Ministry of Finance, to prioritise funding for critical infrastructure supporting vulnerable populations.

The organisations equally urged the state government to adequately fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to protect, safeguard and rehabilitate susceptible children and persons, and harped on the need for the government to strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs to enhance its legal capacity.

They challenged the government to without further delay establish SARCs in the State and allocate funds to build and operate them; fund safe spaces and halfway homes to shelter SGBV survivors and at-risk children; strengthen child protection infrastructure by investing in shelters, counselling centres, and legal aid, to safeguard children from abuse and exploitation; as well as support caregivers by implementing vocational training, microfinance, and financial assistance to empower them, preventing child abandonment and supporting children’s right to a family.

The NGOs called on the state government to enhance law enforcement capacity by training and equipping the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) to handle SGBV cases, ensuring children’s right to justice; and also strengthen the Ministry of Women Affairs by establishing a legal department within the Ministry to handle SGBV cases and refer them to courts. They also advocated for a special SGBV court, to expedite justice, ensuring swift prosecution of offenders and perpetrators.

They stressed the need for the state government to fully fund the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation by providing adequate resources to enable effective protection, safeguarding and rehabilitation services for vulnerable children and persons, thereby reducing the burden on NGOs, saying, the government could as well improve inter-ministerial coordination by funding regular meetings among Ministries and agencies like the police and NAPTIP, for cohesive responses.

The NGOs urged the government to promote transparent budget tracking by establishing monitoring mechanisms for child- specific allocations, ensuring accountability in accordance with AU standards.

The event also featured the presentation of a short film screening highlighting the dangers of SGBV against children and vulnerable persons.

Nation

Oceans Exhibition Understand And Act: Raising Awareness Through French Language

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

The Alliance Française Port Harcourt recently hosted a- 4 Day programme in conjunction with the 3rd United Nations Oceans Conference ( UNOC:3) to mark the World Environment Day, 2025.

The Programme which was supported by the Embassy of French in Nigeria was focused on ocean protection and held from 9 to 13 June, 2025 at the premises of the Alliance Franchise.

The Tide News reports that the week long event was inspired by the Educational booklet “Understand Ocean And Act” created by the French Development Agency (AFD),was free and open for all.

The exhibition adapts complex environmental challenges into engaging educational contents for learners of all ages. It also placed special focus on French Language Learners at the beginner level( A1-A2) and school students.

According to the Director of Alliance Française Mrs Marina Lacal, 130 pupils from six schools in Port Harcourt and additional 60 students from local Universities participated in the guided visit and interactive activities.

Schools that took part in the Programme include Cornerstone International school, Vine, International, Greenoak, Gold gate Montessori, Helm Bridge and Virgo Praedicanda International school.

Others are the University of Port Harcourt,(UNIPORT) Rivers State University (RSU)and the Ignatius AJuru University of Education (AUE)

Mrs Lacal further said that through this initiative Alliance Française Harcourt and its partners have reaffirmed their commitment to educating younger generations and promoting global awareness through language, culture and environmental engagement

However, the exhibition witnessed interactive tools such as French-Language game, quizzes, memory challenges, fill-in -the -blanks. It also provides a platform to explore major ocean issues including climate change,biomliversity loss, plastic pollution, sustainable fishing and climate induced migration all through a linguistic and civic lens.

In line with it’s eco conscious approach , all displayed banners used for the exhibition will be recycled into eco friendly souvenirs such as(key chains) that would be given to participants after the event, to further help reinforce the message that every action counts.

It would be recalled that all snacks and drinks provided during the visit were served with low plastic packaging in line with the environmental message of the event.

Nation

Deputy Commandant Hails Tinubu For Signing NFSS Bill Into Law

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

The Tide

The Deputy Commandant General of the Nigeria Forest Security Service (NFSS) Anti- Bunkering Agency, Amb Wachukwu Adah, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the Nigeria Forest Security Service Bill, describing the gesture as a right step in the right direction. The operatives of the NFSS are known as forest guards.
Amb Adah, who made the commendation during the official structuring of the Nigeria Forest Security Service Anti-Bunkering team and induction of legionnaires in Omoku Town, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday, described President Tinubu as the best President of Nigeria following his monumental achievements in office.
He said the Local Government Autonomy Bill recently signed into law by the President Tinubu administration has tremendous impacts on the lives of the average Nigerians, especially those at the grassroots level.
He noted that by this singular gesture, the President had hit the ground running, for the meaningful development of the country.
Amb Adah reiterated that Rivers youths would utilise the opportunity to serve the country to the best of their ability, acknowledging their readiness to do the needful by ensuring that the forests across the nation are adequately secured.
The Deputy Commandant General also applauded the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, saying, the Minister has turned Abuja to London.
He, however, appealed to the Minister to assist Rivers youths to get sensitive positions in the new Nigeria Forest Security Service ,saying, there is need for him and other leaders to assist the youths who are interested in jobs at the NFSS to secure them, as it is done elsewhere.
“ We need your backing on securing the jobs at NFSS”, he said.
Amb.Adah, who represented the National Commandant, Amb Joshua Osatimehia, said the youths are fully ready to contribute to the security, progress and growth of the nation, and emphasised the essence of character, professionalism and quality service delivery at the NFSS.
In his address, the Administrator of Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Council, Dr Ndu Ajie assured the security outfit of the total support of the council.
Dr Ajie, who was represented by the Secretary of the council ,Mr.Onyedibia Ndulaka, praised the determination and sacrifices made by the security operatives in ensuring and fostering the peace and security of the State.
On their part, heads of security agencies in the local government area, including the Joint Task Force(JTF); the Police; the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC); and the Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), commended the efforts of the security outfit in the security of national assets, assuring them of collaboration to achieve common goals.
During the event, the 23 LGA commanders and other ranking officers were commissioned.
Recall that President Tinubu had commissioned the Nigerian Police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and a committee to work out modalities on the operations of the NFSS.
The former State Commander of NFSS, Chief Will Wegwu showered encomiums on the Deputy Commandant General for his sacrifices and untiring efforts to keep the flag flying.
Chief Wegwu assured the participants that the officers and men would continue to support the Deputy Commandant General to succeed in his assignment.
The Omoku Police Area Commander, ACP Mahe Mohammed; and the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Omoku Police Division, CSP John Landan, were among a host of other security chiefs and personalities that graced the occasion.