Business
Coy Expands Pipeline Network In Rivers
Central Horizon Gas Company (CHGC) Limited, a subsidiary of Axxela Limited, says it recently inaugurated an additional 5.1 km natural gas pipeline infrastructure as part of its strategic expansion to better serve the growing energy demands of customers in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The company said this development emphasizes Axxela’s commitment to delivering cleaner, more reliable, and affordable energy solutions across the South-South.
In a statement, the company said, “With the ongoing expansion running through Azikiwe to Reclamation Road in the Bundu-Ama community, CHGC has now increased its total pipeline network to 21 km and successfully connected several new customers, including leading industrial giants from a diverse range of sectors, with access to piped natural gas.”
Commenting on the issue, the Managing Director of Axxela Gas Distribution, Kehinde Alabi, said the expansion was not just about building gas infrastructure but about powering progress.
“For us at Axxela, every additional pipeline kilometre laid reinforces our commitment to fuelling the growth of industries, promoting economic advancement, and enabling a sustainable energy future.
“Accessible and cost-effective energy access is critical to industrialisation, and we are proud to be championing and contributing actively”, he said.
He stated that Axxela brought a “strong track record” of delivering critical gas infrastructure across Nigeria, often navigating complex terrains with innovation to deliver impact.
Thje statement continued that “This same depth of expertise is now shaping the energy landscape in the South-South, where access to sustainable energy is essential for driving the region’s next phase of industrial development.
“With the recent award of a 25-year gas distribution licence by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to CHGC, the company is positioned to significantly expand its reach and provide increased access to piped natural gas to new customers in the Greater Port Harcourt Area and Gas Distribution Zone.
“For over two decades, Axxela has been at the forefront of promoting natural gas as a viable alternative to other traditional and dirtier fossil fuels.
“The latest expansion project and the distribution licence will further strengthen Axxela’s commitment to deepening domestic gas utilisation and enabling access to a cleaner, more cost-effective energy source”.
While stressing that natural gas was recognised globally as one of the most cost-effective energy sources, offering significant savings on energy costs and enhancing operational efficiency through an abundant and reliable supply compared to other fossil fuels, the company stated that with its growing pipeline network, “Axxela is supporting the Federal Government’s energy transition agenda and ensuring that more businesses can benefit from the natural gas advantage.”
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Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
Business
NIS Ends Decentralised Passport Production After 62 Years
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has officially ended passport production at multiple centres, transitioning to a single, centralised system for the first time in 62 years.
Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the disclosure during an inspection of the Nigeria’s new Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre at the NIS Headquarters in Abuja, last Thursday.
He stated that since the establishment of NIS in 1963, Nigeria had never operated a central passport production centre, until now, marking a major reform milestone.
“The project is 100 per cent ready. Nigeria can now be more productive and efficient in delivering passport services,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He explained that old machines could only produce 250 to 300 passports daily, but the new system had a capacity of 4,500 to 5,000 passports every day.
“With this, NIS can now meet daily demands within just four to five hours of operation,” he added, describing it as a game-changer for passport processing in Nigeria.
“We promised two-week delivery, and we’re now pushing for one week.
“Automation and optimisation are crucial for keeping this promise to Nigerians,” the minister said.
He noted that centralisation, in line with global standards, would improve uniformity and enhance the overall integrity of Nigerian travel documents worldwide.
Tunji-Ojo described the development as a step toward bringing services closer to Nigerians while driving a culture of efficiency and total passport system reform.
According to him, the centralised production system aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda, boosting NIS capacity and changing the narrative for improved service delivery.
Business
FG To Roll Out Digital Public Infrastructure, Data Exchange, Next Year
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has announced plans to roll out Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and the Nigerian Data Exchange (NGDX) platforms across key sectors of the economy, starting in early 2026.
Director of E-Government and Digital Economy at NITDA, Dr. Salisu Kaka, made the disclosure in Abuja during a stakeholder review session of the DPI and NGDX drafts at the Digital Public Infrastructure Live Event.
The forum, themed “Advancing Nigeria’s Digital Public Infrastructure through Standards, Data Exchange and e-Government Transformation,” brought together regulators, state governments, and private sector stakeholders to harmonise inputs for building inclusive, secure, and interoperable systems for governance and service delivery.
According to Kaka, Nigeria already has several foundational elements in place, including national identity systems and digital payment platforms.
What remains is the establishment of the data exchange framework, which he said would be finalised by the end of 2025.
“Before the end of this year and by next year we will be fully ready with the foundational element, and we start dropping the use cases across sectors,” Kaka explained.
He stressed that the federal government recognises the autonomy of states urging them to align with national standards.
“If the states can model and reflect what happens at the national level, then we can have a 360-degree view of the whole data exchange across the country and drive all-of-government processes,” he added.
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