The Nation Newspaper

Category: Business

  • PIB: NNPC begins transformation training for staff

    PIB: NNPC begins transformation training for staff

    As Nigerians are expectant that the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) would be passed into law before end of this year with the attendant transformation and restructuring of some existing processes, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has earnestly started training its workforce in preparation for the changes that would come with the passage of PIB.

    The corporation hired the services of an American-based consultancy firm – New Generation Consulting Resources and Solutions (NGCRS) based in Cresco, Pennsylvania, USA, to train the NNPC staff to be adaptable to the new NNPC that would come with passage of the bill.

    The corporation organised a weeklong training in Lagos for select staff drawn from its different departments and The Nation spoke with the Principal Consultant of NGCRS, Dr. Njideka Kelley on some of the issues.

    Kelley said: “The training is on change, reform and transparency and the participants are mid level to higher up cadres. As you know with the intended Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), NNPC has been very proactive in training their staff on change. The training would be able to reform the corporation because the PIB will restructure the NNPC and with all of that, the highlight will be on transparency because that is what will sustain the change and the reform practices that will come to NNPC. The first training we had for the NNPC was on improving organisational security, which was last year and we are taking the training to Delta State later this year for the Asaba Chamber of Commerce.”

    On the compliance level of the participants to the intended change, she said: “when we started on the first day, they had mixed feelings on whether change will truly be possible in NNPC considering where the country is coming from and what the society’s mindset is in terms of what constitutes value but by the time we rounded off, the level of compliance had improved tremendously.

    “The participants were a great group, very awesome, they were willing to learn. They gave their own assessment and feedback. The class was very participatory-oriented, with methodology in discussions, case studies and lectures, so as we give theories, we also give practical, which are real life examples. The participants were very compliant.”

    On whether there are plans to have an overseas part of this training so that participants can see what their counterparts in other developed countries do in terms of transparency, she said, we have not discussed that with NNPC but it is definitely worth giving a trial.

    The NGCRS chief advised the management of NNPC to continue to invest in their human capital development, which she noted doesn’t just mean sending them to training but also doing internal reviews and making sure that the resources that they put in towards training is received back through the application of the duties, functions, interpreting the core values.

    “In other words, the management has to make sure that the participants are assessed through tests and periodic reviews, examination, among others internally to ensure that the money the corporation spent to receive these principles are also received back by the staff by way of periodic reviews and application. All of these have to be inculcated into NNPC,” she added.

    To inculcate the right principle in the country’s workforce, the first is to create awareness, she said, adding you have to understand change by knowing and accepting that you want a change. You have to understand that you have a problem and want to solve it that is the first step. In keeping a change sustainable, you keep on emphasising where you were, where you are going, and where you are now. NNPC is not the way it was 20 years ago. There have been improvements, which have been developmental because they keep improving on them. But where we are going is a transformational change, she said.

    She also said the training would certainly bring a change that would make the corporation as competitive as other state owned oil companies such Statoil and Petrobras. “Because NNPC has recognised that there is a problem that needs to be solved and part of it is a cultural problem. It lies in the core values and principles of NNPC and the country as a whole because it is not news that Nigeria has social problem, which corruption is at the top. NNPC being a government entity is perceived to be part of that corruption. This may be true or false but if we want to take it from that point of view, we can say that NNPC is doing all that it can within its power to change given the external influences that sometimes are not conducive to business.

    “This is the reason they are investing in their human capital and make sure that people begin to understand that it will no longer be business as usual especially when the PIB is passed into law. The reformatory practices have to be put in place. They have to be transformed and that is the key. They must be transparent and those core values must have to be revisited. NNPC has to go back to the drawing board and look at the ways they had been doing business, look at their operations and technology and see how all of that will influence their bottomline and will start to make profit. To achieve this they have to streamline many things.”

  • NIMASA to train youth

    The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has concluded arrangement to train some youth from the Southeast. Their counterparts from the Southsouth had enjoyed the priviledge.

    Speaking with The Nation in his office last week, NIMASA’s Director-General, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi said there are many job opportunities in the maritime sector, but unfortunately they are not open to Nigerians because they lack the necessary training.

    NIMASA, he said, is set to reverse the trend.

    Akpobolokemi said NIMASA has received an approval from the National Assembly to train Nigerian youths into becoming competent and qualified seafarers in various universities across the world, so as to fill in the existing knowledge gap in the maritime sector.

    He bemoaned a situation where the sector is dominated by foreigners who man Nigerian vessels at the expense of unemployed but highly enterprising nationals.

    Akpobolokemi told The Nation that the seafarers’ training programme, which is targeted at complimenting the Niger-Delta Amnesty programme of the Federal Government, will also be beneficial to many youths from the South-Eastern region.

    The NIMASA boss also assured the Ohaneze that his administration will protect the interest of the Igbos in the agency. He also solicited for the cooperation of Igbo people in sanitising the Nigerian waterways, improving maritime security and creating friendly business environment for private sector investors in the maritime industry.

    According to him, the training of Nigerian youths including Igbos will enable indigenous ship owners to raise the bar in the maritime industry, by ensuring that shipping business including trade within the nation’s coastal area is dominated and taken over by Nigerians.

  • Abandoned logs block waterways, say boat operators

    Boat operators have raised the alarm over an upsurge in abandoned logs on the Lagos waterways.

    They said the waterways have become unsafe for them with the logs blocking their routes.

    The logs, said to be abandoned by timber dealers, are depleting fish stock and causing boat mishap, it was learnt.

    Scores are said to have died from such accidents.

    President, Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) Mr Ganiyu Balogun said the logs and water hyacinth were hindering their operations.

    “This area of transportation has been experiencing a lot of hindrances occasioned by some natural and man-made factors.

    “These factors are water hyacinth and abandoned logs by timber dealers along the water channels.

    “This had several times resulted in boat mishaps which also caused loss of lives and valuables,” he said.

    Balogun said the logs are hampering members of the association from operating.

    He called on the government to address the problems, saying: “If something is not done by the regulatory bodies of state and local governments, this could put us out of operation. It can also have adverse effect on the nation’s economy.’’

    Water transportation, he said, is an aspect of the economy that could not be neglected by any responsible government as it could generate employment.

    A boat operator, Mr Felix Udoma, said logs, wayward barges, boats and small fishing vessels should be pulled out of waters when they pose a danger to people or to the environment.

    Udoma , called for a new law with severe penalties for anybody who intentionally sinks a boat.

    “We have had several cases where the owners intentionally abandoned the logs but they are not as well reported for documented because law enforcement agents chose not to pursue the issue.

    “The toxic danger from spills starts immediately after a boat sinks, and the threat remains long afterwards. A boat can be sitting underwater for many years and suddenly you get a ‘burp’ of oil. It could take weeks, months, even years, and then all of a sudden you have an environmental problem,” he said.

  • Flood: Adaptation is the way out, say experts

    Flood: Adaptation is the way out, say experts

    Going by the National Emergency Management Agency’s (NEMA’s) projection, the flood ravaging the country may consume about one million persons this year. Several states are feeling the problem. They include Yobe, Adamawa, Sokoto, Benue, Kogi, Enugu, Anambra, Delta, Oyo and Plateau, especiallyJos, which before now was the most unlikely place for flooding because it is mountainous. Due to climatic changes, floods have led to many deaths and loss of property as families and farm lands have been wiped away. However, experts have identified adaptation strategies that may help communities combat flooding, reports OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

    The floods ravaging many states have, again, brought to the fore the vulnerability of the nation to the effects of climate change.

    The flood in Benue affected several communities in Makurdi along the river belt. Nine local government areas were affected in Kogi State, with Ibaji almost completely submerged.

    The Nation learnt that inhabitants are taking refuge in neighbouring communities.

    The other local government areas affected are Bassa, Ofu, Kogi, Omala, Ajaokuta, Ankpa, Igalamela and Lokoja, where choice property, including hotels, residential buildings, government offices and fishing communities along the confluence of Rivers Benue and Niger, were virtually submerged.

    It is the same in Asaba, the Delta State capital, where communities and buildings were completely wiped out or submerged.

    At a meeting with the Governor of Kogi State, NEMA’s Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr Charles Agbo, who led a team to the state, warned of prolonged flooding as more water would still be released from Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and Kainji Dam with intensifying rains.

    He urged the government to enforce the standard regulation on urban planning and development, as well as relocating communities on the flood plains as a panacea to the problem.

    Agbo warned that even after the floods, most submerged houses may become too weak and no longer safe for habitation, adding that the situation poses potential health hazards .

    He urged the states to support the affected communities, in addition to what the Federal Government, through NEMA would provide for the displaced persons. He called for the evacuation of persons living along the River Niger plains as the dam would attain their highest water levels in 29 years.

    He said residents of the communities should move to higher grounds for safety. Agbo listed the states at risk as Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Kebbi, Anambra and Delta, urging that the states should ensure compliance with the order to avert loss of additional lives and property that would certainly arise in the event of flooding.

     

    Climate Change

    Cimate change is becoming clearer to most Nigerians as they witness the changes in weather formation.

    The issue on the front burner now is how to help people adapt to the consequences of the harsh weather conditions. Scientists are asking governments across the world to help people build resilience to fight the effects of climate change. The idea now is to create a culture of risk identification, reduction, preparedness and mitigation to combat losses.

    While countries, such as Japan and others have responded by building floating houses as adaptation model to withstand the challenge of earthquakes, several developing nations are yet to do anything to adapt to the challenges of flooding.

    A Director with African Adaptation Programme (AAP), an organ of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Climate Change, Samuel Adejumo, said the government should, as a matter of urgency, help the public build resilience to massive flooding and its attendant challenges, which are the off-shoot of climate change. He urged that development models be tailored in such a way that it becomes immune to threats of climatic changes, saying the development models should include housing models, water and sanitation as well as culture.

    An environmentalist, Mr Chukwuma Iloh, argued that adaptation models to check flooding should, as a matter of urgency, include strict adherence to town planning laws and building regulations. He said people seemed not to have respect for physical planning and environmental laws as they get away with errecting buildings on drainage channels and water berths.

    He berated governments at all levels for low implementation of physical planning laws which exacerbate flooding recorded in states as drains are silted and blocked, making it impossible for the smooth flow of water. He encouraged the opening up of drainage channels and maintenance of same.

    Iloh regretted that instead of development based on town planning regulations, people build haphazardly against every norm of decent living.

    An architect, Mr Taiwo Ola, also urged that the government should encourage researches on building materials that are resilient to strong winds and the changing weather patterns, adding that people should be enlightened to know the implications of wrong disposal of waste and its consequences with the increasing incidence of climate change.

    He made a case for effective waste collection, disposal and management to keep the drainages free of filth to aid the free-flow of water in case of heavy rains to check flooding.

    He also encouraged government to do more for the environment through advocacy to key stakeholders on the need to preserve the environment.

    Ola criticised those who throw used nylons and packages from their cars and homes indiscriminately, calling for a stricter law for offenders to check the abuse on the environment.

    He said the panacea against devastating flooding, remains strong resilience and adaptation skills to help people manage the situation which no doubt will come due to the changing weather patterns.

    He enjoined the government to work assiduously to reduce the projected one million deaths through flooding this year.

  • Integrated Oil resumes operation

    It was cheery news for the downstream sector of the petroleum industry as the depots and head office of the Integrated Oil and Gas Limited have been unsealed for business after two weeks of being under lock and key.

    The company was sealed by the management of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for accepting throughput arrangement for alleged stolen petroleum product.

    The members of staff of the company were excited for resuming business again. A staff of the company told The Nation that: “As you all are aware, on September 13th, 2012, armed men purported to be under NIMASA and GWVSL invaded Integrated Oil and Gas Limited tank farm located at Ibafon, Apapa, Lagos and occupied the premises.

    We took steps to notify all relevant agencies about the national security implication of this action.

    “However, we are glad to announce that on Wednesday September 26th, 2012 at about 12noon, the occupying army vacated our tank farm. We are therefore, grateful to God as we have repossessed our tank farm. We sincerely thank all Nigerians and our esteemed customers who stood by us in this trial. By the grace and mercy of God, we will always endeavour to stand on the part of truth.”

  • Gaslink upgrades odourisation system

    Gaslink Nigeria Limited, a natural gas distribution company, has begun upgrading of its odourising system at its facility on Jobi Fele Way, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The upgrade according to the company would last from 24 to 28 September. Odourisation is a global safety measure that involves the systematic injection of a synthetic odour into gas pipeline systems to help detect leakage.

    The planned exercise is a controlled process that uses a precision mechanism to prevent emissions. However, in the unlikely event that there is an emission of a pungent smell similar to that of a rotten egg, the public especially those living around Alausa, is hereby placed on notice to remain calm and please call 0700 GASLINK (0700 4275 465).

    Commenting on the planned exercise, Victor Dairo, Head Operations, Gaslink said: “As an ISO certified company, Gaslink takes the safety and environment requirements of its natural gas network very seriously.

    “As we commence the odourising exercise, the general public should be rest assured that we have put in place world-class safety measures required for this level of upgrade of our gas pipeline network.”

    Gaslink pioneered private sector distribution of natural gas to industries in Nigeria. The company has since built a 100km natural gas network in the Greater Lagos Area, connecting over 120 leading companies, which having experience reduction in their energy costs by as much as 75 percent. This has tremendously improved the profitability of the offtakers, making them globally competitive brands able to employ thousands of Nigerians.

  • NAPE frets over future of LNG business

    NAPE frets over future of LNG business

    The Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) has expressed worry over the future of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) business, which Nigeria banks on as one of the major and future income sources.

    Technology is gradually eroding the anticipated prospects and hope of natural gas as a major income stream of the Federal Government.

    The association had at a press conference it held in Lagos to announce its plans for the forthcoming pre-conference workshop, which will hold in Lagos next week, said that development of shale gas is seriously threatening the future of LNG. The group particularly expressed fear that the development would stall new LNG projects in Nigeria.

    In his presentation, NAPE President, Dr. Mayowa Afe, who was represented by the President-elect, Mr. George Osahon, said: “Natural gas is the fastest growing energy resource in most regions of the world owing to its abundance and relatively low carbon content that makes it more environmentally acceptable compared to coal or crude oil.

    “However, gas transportation from producing locations to areas of consumption could be capital intensive which probably accounts for the large volume of stranded gas in the country. This encourages flaring while constraining its widespread utilisation in various industries including the power sector.

    “Development of shale gas in different parts of the world has become a game changer in the global energy mix, having forced the Henry Hub reference price of gas to less than $3 per million British thermal unit (Btu) from about $7/mBtu just a year earlier. The situation is likely to stall new LNG projects with implications for Nigeria’s huge gas resources.”

    The pre-conference workshop, which holds at Eko Hotel in Lagos, ushers in NAPE’s annual international conference and exhibition, which will also hold at the same venue between November 11 and 15.

    The theme of this year’s preconference is “The economic imperative for the local utilisation of Nigeria’s gas resources,” while the theme for the conference and exhibition is “Nigeria oil and gas exploration: the next frontier.”

    The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Andy Yakubu, Conoil Managing Director, Dr. Ebi Omatsola, President, Nigeria Gas Association, Chima Ibeneche, DPR Director, Osten Olorunsola, and Vice President Gas, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Ubaka Emelumadu, will present papers at the pre-conference workshop.

    Topics to be discussed include international developments in the shale gas arena; domestic gas utilisation, challenges and opportunities, the journey thus far; and gas to petrochemicals: adding value for economic development.

    NAPE had over the years through the outcome of its pre-conferences, conferences and exhibitions influenced government’s policies on the oil and gas sector.

  • Kwara to rehabilitate 14 waterworks

    The Kwara State government has awarded contracts for the rehabilitation, expansion and construction of 14 waterworks. The state has also awarded contract for the construction of semi- urban and urban water schemes in its three senatorial districts. The Commissioner for Water Resources, Garba Idris, an engineer, said old age and increase in population informed government’s decision. The affected waterworks are Kaiama, Rogun, Lafiagi, Gwanara and Ilesha-Baruba all in Kwara north. Others are Agbeyangi, Megida, Afon and Pampo (Kwara central) while Ojoku, Obbo-Aiyegunle, Ajase-Ipo, Share/Tsaragi and Rore are in Kwara south senatorial district. Idris urged the contractors to complete their jobs on record time, stressing that shoddy execution of contracts will not bee tolerated. He added that the Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed-led administration has reconstructed Pepele waterworks, distribution of network for Ilorin water supply scheme, drilled 140 motorised and hand pump boreholes and repositioned the Aradun waterworks among other things. He reassured Kwarans of uninterrupted water supply. He reiterated the state’s determination to ensure that no citizen treks beyond 500 metres radius before accessing potable water.

  • ITF begins bread production training

    ITF begins bread production training

    The Industrial Training fund (ITF) has arranged a two week skills development course in bread production that would lead to the acquisition of bread-making skills and the award of the ITF Competency Based Certificate to participants.

    The Director-General, Prof. Longmas Wapmuk, who was represented by the Training Manager of the Model Skills Training Centre of the fund, Danjuma Abeku, said the training is designed for people planning to establish, or start-up a business venture in the production and sale of bread.

    He advised those in paid-employment, the ones considering pre-retirement plan for a bread production outfit to participate in the training.

    He said: “The training methodology would include instructions, individual and group practical, as well as industrial attachment. It is greatly enriched with necessary demonstrations and business skills to enable participants acquire holistic approach for starting and running a successful small business.

    “This is in a bid for Nigerian industries to succeed in the face of the challenging economic meltdown, he said, adding that the first batch of trainees would commence classes this month.

    Wapmuk, said one of the major principles needed by industrialists and investment gurus to succeed in the current situation is quality training, that will equip the employees with new skills, competencies and techniques, adding, “ If you hire and keep good employees, it is good policy to invest in the development of their skills, so as to increase their productivity.