Energy
FG targets 35,000 jobs as NCDMB, NNPC stake US$670m in Brass Methanol Plant
The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and DSV Engineering on Friday signed the Final Investment Decision (FID)for the construction of10,000tonnes/day methanol production plant by the Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemical Company Ltd (BFPCL), committing equity investment of US$670m.
The facility would be the largest methanol plant in Africa and the first in Nigeriaand the construction phase is expected to create 30,000 direct and indirect jobs and additional 5000 permanent jobs during the operations phase.
According to the financing plan, the project is estimated to cost about US$3.5bn and aside the equity from NCDMB, NNPC and DSV, thereis an impressive cast of lenders which includes a consortium of Chinese banks led by the China Exim Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), international commercial banks, regional banks and African institutions andthey would be expected to raise 70 percent of the project cost.
Other agreements that have been firmed up include a Gas Supply Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) led joint venture, offtake agreements and contracts for Engineering Procurement and Construction and technology provider.
The Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Simbi KesiyeWabote, the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the NNPC, Malam Mele Kolo Kyari and Executive Vice-Chairman of BFPCL, Chief Ben Okoye signed the FID on behalf of their organisations.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva said the project was part of the strategic efforts to maximize value and monetize the country’s vast gas endowments. He stated that President Muhammed Buhari had in July 2020 “approved the development of the Brass Gas Companywith the sole aim of aggregating and monetizing all stranded gas in the Brass area, which amounts to over 10 trillion cubic feet of gas, into the processing facilities to be built in the hub.”
He expressed confidence that the project would have significant economic and developmental impact on the country, including support for gas-based industries, revenue generation and import substitution for methanol needs of the nation that is currently 100 percent imported.
Other economic benefits include foreign direct investment, economic diversification, acceleration of Nigeria’s march to zero gas flaring and community development through the company’s plan to offer one percent equity to host communities.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary NCDMB underscored the significance of two Federal Government’s agencies – NCDMB and NNPC catalysing investments in the country. He added that the project would place Nigeria on the world’s map as one of the top10 producers of methanol.
He emphasised that Local Content can only grow sustainably when there are oil and gas projects,adding that a mega project of this size provides opportunities to utilize local capacities and capabilities built over the years.
He further explained that opportunities provided by the project in job creation, gas utilization, local availability of methanol for primary and secondary users, formed part of the basis of the Board’s decision to partner with Brass Fertiliser and Petrochemicals Company Ltd to enhance delivery of the project.
Wabote also commended Chief Sylva for recording huge achievements in the energy sector,at a time when most nations are unsure of decisions to make amidthe COVID-19 pandemic. He listed some of the Minister’s accomplishments to include the signing of Train-7 FID, Gas Flares Commercialisation, Marginal Field bid rounds, Petroleum IndustryBill (PIB), Refining Roadmap, and others.
The GMD NNPC in his comments described the BFPCL as the most third most important project that had taken FID in the last five years. He stated that achieving FID for the project was proof of the Federal Government’s commitment to monetize the nation’s gas resources, notwithstanding the challenging investment environment. He pledged the commitment of NNPC to ensure the delivery of the methanol plant on schedule by 2025.
According to him, “The country is blessed with abundant gas resources, over 200 trillion standard cubic feet of gas (tscf) proven, with potential of over 600tscf. As energy transition processes go on, you must monetize these gases as quickly as possible. NNPC will continue to collaborate with all the strategic partners. We will ensure that feedstock is available for this project and subsequent projects that would happen in the Brass hub.”
Executive Vice-Chairman of BFPCL, Chief Ben Okoye said that jobs that would be created from the project would help to assuage the restiveness in the Niger Delta in addition to the development of a new oil and gas city in Brass Island.
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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