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‘Under Investment, Others Threaten FG’s Gas Expansion Target’
Despite post-COVID recovery in the oil and gas sector, indications have emerged that historical under-investment along with tightening monetary policies, high inflation, amongst others pose a major setback to the Federal Government gas expansion target.
This is coming even as the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), MeleKyari, stated that the company would partner with the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and all relevant domestic and international stakeholders to enhance the supply, delivery and utilization of gas in the country.
Speaking at the opening session of the 11th Practical Nigerian Content Forum, with the theme, “Deepening Nigerian Content Opportunities in the Decade of Gas,” Kyari maintained that the NNPC Ltd would leverage on the provisions of policies/regulations, technological breakthroughs, innovative financial mechanisms and other key initiatives such as the National Gas Expansion Programme to make the energy sector resilient.
He said: “The global energy sector has, to a large extent, recovered from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, only to be challenged by historical under-investment, tightening of monetary policies, high inflation, geopolitical tension and security issues, among others, resulting in high and volatile energy prices, and uneven and often low energy supply and demand.
“Energy poverty and security which, hitherto, was a regional and under-developed countries concerns, has now become a global concern, with countries developing all sorts of approaches and innovations to remain energy resilient.
“International Agendas/Frameworks, including the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and successive Conference of Parties have continue to recognise the role of natural gas as a fuel of choice for sustainable development and for smooth energy transition to a low carbon future.
“This has created the much-needed opportunity to power the global economy in a sustainable manner using clean fuels to address global energy related challenges and create value for businesses and the society.
“In line with this and with over 200 TCF of proven gas reserves and a potential of growing to 600TCF, the Federal government declared 2021-2030 as the decade of gas towards a gas-powered economy with natural gas used as direct source of energy and its derivative, such as LPG and CNG, for clean cooking and driving.
“Utilising our upstream gas assets, and key gas pipeline infrastructure (ELPS, Oben – Ajaokuta/Geregu, the vast eastern network covering Alakiri-Obigbo, IkotAbasi and Imo River, and the Gas Transmission Systems (GTS 1-5) to NLNG, NNPCL and its shareholders produce gas in excess of 6 Bscf/d and deliver to the domestic, regional (WAGP) and international gas/LNG markets, thus building in-country capacity and value to shareholders as well as earning foreign revenue.
“Today, the NNPC JV power plants (450 MW Okpai I and 650 MW Afam VI) continue to be key sources of power generation to the country and more power plant projects are being progressed.
“To further deepen gas utilization, we are exploiting more gas resources, including in the frontier basins, deploying/constructing more gas infrastructure & facilities e.g., 2 Bscfd OB3, 2.2 Bscfd AKK, Ibadan-Ilorin-Jebba Pipeline (EIIJ), Qua Iboe-Obigbo-OB3, Obigbo – Umuahia – Ajaokuta (OUA) pipelines and ANOH Gas Processing Plant, etc.,) and utilization points (AKK Power Plants, MEPP, petrochemical plants, , retail CNG refuelling stations, etc. thus integrating gas supply sources with the demand centres across the country
“We are also complementing these gas penetration projects with several renewable energy and emission reduction projects to enhance the sustainability of the energy sector.
“Furthermore, we are embarking on LPG Penetration Scheme through the establishment of Micro Distribution Centres (MDCs) across the country to deepen LPG consumption for clean cooking (stop the detrimental in-door air pollution and deforestation) while creating opportunities for fabrication of LPG/CNG/LNG tanks, gas stoves, cylinders, etc.
“This is underpinned via enhanced LPG production NEPL’s IGHF, NLNG, expansion of terminals and LPG trucking capacity.”
Kyari said all these expansions and investments have created opportunities for Nigerian content, noting that the NNPC is encouraging organizations to identify the relevant areas in which they can participate in.
“I am very pleased of the rapid growth of our local capacity, and we will continue to collaborate with NCDMB and other stakeholders to propel our local talents to achieve their full potential and compete favourably, domestic and internationally.
“We would continue to deepen our Gas Cooperation strategy with all relevant domestic and international stakeholders to enhance gas supply, delivery and utilization while leveraging on the provisions of policies/regulations, technological breakthroughs (e.g., Carbon capture, utilization and storage-CCUS to lower GHG emissions), innovative financial mechanisms and other key initiatives such as the National Gas Expansion Programme to make the energy sector resilient.
“It is my believe this would create value for our business and shareholders and make natural gas not only a transition fuel but a destination fuel of choice,” he added.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.