Energy
FG charges Shell, Chevron, NNPC, others on gas supply to NLNG plants
The Federal Government has appealed to partners in the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) project to allow transportation of third-party gas through its joint pipelines to increase gas supply to the plant.
Chief Timipre Sylva, Minister of State Petroleum Resources, made the appeal during an audience with the new Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Sefano De Leo, on Monday in Abuja.
NLNG has been unable to operate at full capacity following the refusal of the joint partners Shell, Chevron, NNPC and others, to allow third parties to transport gas through their pipelines to the NLNG Trains.
This has been causing the company’s inability to meet both domestic and international gas obligations.
According to a statement by his Senior Adviser (Media and Communications) Horatius Egua, the NLNG is at present only able to produce at about 70 percent of installed capacity.
Sylva said if the NLNG partners relaxed their rules and allowed third parties to supply gas to the NLNG, the company would be able to provide gas to help ease the European Union’s gas crisis.
“The issue we have with the existing NLNG Trains is that of insufficient gas supply. The partners are running out of gas and they are refusing to supply gas to the Trains.
“The partners are insisting that they can only allow third parties to supply gas to the plant only if they agree to supply at subsidized rates.
“These people of course want to make money and they cannot supply at subsidized rates and that’s why the NLNG Trains cannot produce at full capacity.
“The partners can afford to supply at subsidised rates because they are partners in the NLNG project not the third parties.
“This is a very critical issue I want to discuss with the respective partners to see how we can resolve this problem so that we can increase the production capacity of the NLNG,” Sylva said.
The Minister, who stressed the long-standing relations between Nigeria and Italy, also sought the cooperation of the Italian government in providing support for night helicopter rescue operations in the country.
He added that at the moment helicopters cannot fly in the night in Nigeria thus foreclosing any rescue operations at night.
He said, “For us, this is a very important matter. We want to develop a 24 hour economy. We want a situation where helicopters can fly 24 hours in Nigeria.”
In his response, De Leo stressed the importance of Nigeria in Africa and noted that as the continent’s most populous country, it would be difficult for anyone to ignore the country both at the political and economic front.
At the moment, the EU wants to diversify its energy sources especially gas and Nigeria is very strategic to us. We have been long-standing friends and partners and one of the most important ones for that matter.
“So, we need to continue to dialogue on how things can be done properly. In Africa, no country is more strategic than Nigeria because of its population, economy and political position.
“So we are happy to work with you,” the ambassador further stated.
Energy
Synergy, commitment crucial to clean energy transition, sustainability in Africa — CEO, Egbin Power
As carbon emissions reduction and energy security remain a crucial focus in the global sustainability agenda, shared commitment, synergy and decisive actions are the cornerstone of accelerating the transition to cleaner energy and achieving a sustainable environment.
Having analysed the percentage of global greenhouse emissions attributed to sectors including electricity/heat production, agriculture/forestry and land use, transportation, industry and others, the Chief Executive Officer, Egbin Power, Mokhtar Bounour, charged for synergy and renewed commitment among stakeholders.
He made this known at the maiden edition of Asharami Square, a Sahara Group initiative aimed at amplifying the discourse on sustainability through impactful media advocacy.
While highlighting Egbin Power’s unwavering commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy sources, Bounour further stressed the need for deepened engagement and advocacy to further prioritise sustainability.
Bounour outlined Egbin Power’s comprehensive approach to sustainability, which includes an array of pragmatic initiatives such as obsolescence management, asset upgrades, energy efficiency improvement, sustainability and environmental impact management, and fugitive emissions minimization.
These programs are strategically designed to effectively address carbon emissions and promote cleaner energy initiatives.
According to him, Egbin Power drives sustainability through afforestation, adoption and enforcement of ANSI Lighting Design Standards for the Egbin built environment, a gradual switch from Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs) to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and the integration of Electric Vehicles (EVs) into the company’s operations, among other interventions.
“These actions demonstrate Egbin Power’s commitment to thinking globally and acting locally, ensuring that deliberate and impactful steps are taken to promote sustainability and environmental consciousness actively.
“As a responsible organisation Egbin Power is steadfast in its commitment to promoting sustainability.
“Our roadmap and initiatives are designed to align with global sustainable development goals and to ensure that we contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable energy landscape in Africa.
“Our pragmatic initiatives which include obsolescence management, asset upgrades and overhauls, energy efficiency improvement, sustainability and environmental impact management, and fugitive emissions minimization as part of programs designed to address carbon emissions.
“We are committed to treating the environment with the utmost care, knowing well that every activity we engage in – either as an individual or collectively as an organisation has an impact on the ecosystem,” Bounour explained.
By Esther Agbo
NNPC Retail Limited has swiftly responded to allegations circulating on social media regarding coercive practices at one of its filling stations.
A video clip surfaced on social media, X (formerly Twitter) precisely, purportedly showing customers being pressured to purchase lubricants or engine oil in order to obtain Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. The attendant in the video claimed that this directive originated from NNPC Retail Management.
In a statement issued, NNPC Retail categorically refuted the allegations, asserting that such practices are entirely false and do not align with the company’s Customer Service Charter. According to NNPC Retail, customers visiting any of their filling stations are under no obligation to purchase additional products as a condition for buying petrol.
Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, Mr. Huub Stokman, emphasised the company’s commitment to transparent and quality service delivery.
He stated, “We are dedicated to providing clear, transparent and quality service to all our customers, guaranteeing that their needs are met without any recourse to unnecessary and unscrupulous conditionalities.”
In response to the incident, NNPC Retail Limited has initiated an investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding the video. The company has assured the public that appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken against any individuals found responsible for misconduct.
“The public is hereby advised to disregard the information in its entirety and report any such occurrences to the appropriate authority.
“In the meantime, NNPC Retail Limited has launched an investigation into the unfortunate incident and assures that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the culprit (s).”
In line with the Electricity Act 2023, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, issued an order transferring regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Imo to the Imo State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
This was contained in a recent order signed by NERC Chairman Sanusi Garba.
The order shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
The implication is that Imo State will be responsible for the complete regulation of its electricity market.
The order stated: “Section 230 (3) of the Act mandates the commission to develop a transition plan and timeline for the transfer of regulatory oversight of the intrastate electricity market from NERC to ISERC upon receipt of formal notification from the State
“EEDC shall complete the incorporation of EEDC SubCo within 60 days from the effective date of this Order and, EEDC SubCo shall apply for and obtain a licence for the intrastate supply and distribution of electricity from ISERC.
“EEDC shall identify the actual geographic boundaries of Imo State and carve out its network in Imo State as a standalone network with the installation of boundary meters at all border points where the network crosses from Imo State into another state.”
With the development, Imo becomes the fourth state to get electricity regulatory authority after Enugu, Ondo and Ekiti states.
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