Energy
NUPRC applauds NNPCL-Shell JV $56M commitment to host communities
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has ranked Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC-operated onshore joint venture as industry leader in the implementation of the Chapter Three of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) dealing with host community development.
The SPDC-operated joint venture and Shell’s deep-water business, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production company in partnership with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, NNPC have earmarked over $56 million from their 2022 operations for distribution to the Host Community Development Trusts
Speaking at the announcement of fund managers for Host Community Trust Funds recently in Abuja, NUPRC’s Assistant Director, Host Communities Department, Olatokunbo Karimu, said from the 61 fully incorporated Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) in the industry, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) with its joint venture partners has the highest number of fully incorporated HCDTs of 23 followed by Agip with 13 while Newcross Petroleum has seven in the third position.
Giving a further breakdown of the progress with the HCDT section of the PIA, Karimu said, “We have a total of 113 HCDT submissions. We have issued approval to incorporate 84 and we have a total of 61 fully incorporated by the Corporate Affairs Commission.”
SPDC, on behalf of the NNPC/SPDC/TotalEnergies/NAOC joint venture has upped the JV’s HCDT to 25 and has unveiled the trusts in three of its states of operations of Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta.
“We plan to complete the incorporation of the 33 HCDTs for the joint venture by the end of the year and our next port of call for HCDT unveiling is Imo State where the joint venture’s multimillion dollar Assa North/Ohaji South Gas Development Project is situated,” SPDC Director and Country Head, Corporate Relations, Igo Weli said.
Asked when the incorporated HCDTs would be operational, Weli explained that the next step was the setting up of Management Committees by the Trusts which will in turn establish Host Community Advisory Committees to complete the structure for the new dispensation to take off with access to funds for community projects.
Weli however cautioned that a host community would only enjoy the full benefit of the fund if they ensured undisrupted operations of the settlor and security of its facilities. “Where operations are disrupted or the settlor’s facilities are destroyed, the benefit to the HCDT will be adversely affected,” he said.
He therefore advised the host communities to create a conducive and safe business environment for their settlors to achieve a dispensation of ‘shared prosperity.’
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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