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Tag: Heineken Lokpobiri

  • Bayelsa APC reverses suspension of Lokpobiri, other party chieftains

    Bayelsa APC reverses suspension of Lokpobiri, other party chieftains

    The Bayelsa state executive committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has backtracked on the suspension of Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and other party chieftains.

    The decision followed the convening of an extended meeting of the party, involving members of the state executive, sitting state Assembly members from the party and the local government chairman of the party.

    The single agenda was to deliberate on the festering crisis arising from the suspension of critical stakeholders of the party in Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor‚ Sagbama and Yenagoa local government areas, notable among those suspended was Senator Heineken Lokpobiri; former APC governorship candidate in the 2019 poll, Chief David Lyon, among others.

    A communique issued on Tuesday, October 15, after a press conference held at the party secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital, and signed by the state chairman of the APC, Chief Dennis Otiotio-Odoni and the acting State Secretary, Owutuamo Tamaranpreye, said the suspension was put on hold after a plea from the minority caucus of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly who is the only elected members of the party from the state, and after extensive deliberations.

    The communique said the extended state Executive Committee of the party resolved to suspend the ratification of the chieftains’ suspensions in order to further consult with critical stakeholders of the party as advised by the APC caucus of the state House of Assembly.

    Furthermore, the communique said the extended state exco of the party and the APC State Assembly Caucus condemned the rascality and hooliganism of the state Commissioner for Power, Mr. Kharin Kumoku, who allegedly led thugs to invade the APC State Secretariat in an attempt to burn it down.

    It said if not for the timely intervention of security operatives and vigilant members of the party, the Commissioner would have carried out the dastardly act.

    Read Also: For Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, it was a long walk to injustice

    The communique said: “We call on the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri to caution the commissioner.

    “We also call on the Commissioner of Police CP, Francis A. Idu, and the Director of Department of State Services (DSS), Bayelsa State to arrest and investigate the Commissioner.”

    The APC, Bayelsa State chapter, reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic principles and engaging in constructive dialogue to resolve internal conflicts.

    The party called on all party members and stakeholders to maintain decorum and focus on the collective goal of ensuring the party’s success in Bayelsa State.

  • Nigeria conforms with OPEC quota, says Lokpobiri

    Nigeria conforms with OPEC quota, says Lokpobiri

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has confirmed that Nigeria conforms to the oil production quota of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    OPEC had set 1.5 million barrels per day production quota for Nigeria in October 2024.

    He said the declaration at the 56th Meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) of the organization.

    The declaration was contained in his X handle, which said: “I can confidently confirm that our country conforms to the agreed production limits.”

    He added that even as the country is determined to increase its crude oil production, it will do so within the framework of the organization’s guidelines.

    “While we continue to ramp up production in line with our national interests, we are doing so within the framework of OPEC’s guidelines,” he said.

    The minister said Nigeria reviewed the conformity and compensation efforts of countries participating in the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC).

    Read Also: Lokpobiri urges Oando to increase production to 100,000b/d with NAOC

    Lokpobri said the country is still committed to balancing responsible production with its economic goals, and continues to meet its obligations under the Declaration of Cooperation.

    Meanwhile, OPEC has set Nigeria’s crude oil production quota for October 2024 at 1.5 million barrels per day (bpd).

    This quota, established during OPEC’s meetings, is part of a broader production plan where total OPEC+ production is capped at 39.7 million bpd. Saudi Arabia leads with the largest share at 10.4 million bpd, followed by Russia at 9.9 million bpd

    The Nation reported that in September 2024 Nigeria’s Crude Oil and condensate production increased by 36,983barrels per day (bpd) from 1.53million per day (mod) in July 2024 to hit 1.57million barrels per day (mb/d) in August 2024.

    The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NUPRC) disclosed this in its “Crude Oil and Condensate Production – August 2024,” report.

    It said in the month, the country produced 1.3 mb/d of crude oil, 55,300 b/d of blended condensate, and 163,693 b/d of unblended Condensate, a total of 1.57 mb/d.

    Nigeria’s Crude Oil output in June this year was 1.5mb/d; in May 1.4mb/d; April 1.4mb/d; in March 1.43mb/d; February 1.53m/d; and 1.64mb/d in January.

  • Presidency affirms Lokpobiri’s stance on petrol price feud

    Presidency affirms Lokpobiri’s stance on petrol price feud

    The Presidency has explained why government agencies cannot engage in the ongoing price dispute between Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery, citing the fact that both enterprises are private.

    The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, gave this clarification while briefing journalists. 

    Minister for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri had stated that the price of petrol in the country could differ in various locations, but by the time there is availability of products across the country, the price itself will stabilised.

    The Minister further stated that the sector is deregulated and therefore the government is not responsible for fixing prices.

    According to Lokpobiri: “What is important is that the government is not fixing prices. This sector is deregulated. And we believe that with the availability of products, the price will find its level. And this is important for Nigerians to know.”

    Read Also: Fed govt won’t interfere in NNPC, Dangote petrol price war – Presidency

    “There is enough product in the country to be able to meet the demands of Nigerians, there should be no panic buying. And we also believe that Nigerians need to know that the government is not fixing prices. That is what I want to convey to Nigerians.”

    While briefing State House correspondents, Onanuga also emphasised on what the Minister for Petroleum resources said that both entities operate independently in a deregulated market. 

    He said under the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, NNPCL functions autonomously despite government ownership.

    According to him: “The PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) field, the PMS regime, has been deregulated. Dangote is a private company. NNPCL should not forget it’s a limited liability company. 

    “Whatever controversy both of them are having is their own problem. They are operating, even if you go by the terms of petroleum industry act NNPCL is on its own, even though it’s owned by the federal government, the state government and local councils and everything, but it’s operating as a limited liability company. 

    “You can see what the private market has said that I think they find the NNPC or Dangote price too much for them. They will resolve to importing fuel because they clear market at the end of the day. 

    “It’s the consumer who benefits if a price war starts, if NNPC fuel is too much, the public market can go to the market and bring in their own fuel and sell at the price that they think is very reasonable and profitable for them. 

    “So my answer is that, as far as this is concerned, government is not dabbling into this controversy. Dangote as a private company is working on his own. NNPC is a limited liability company, and it has the right to fix the price of it’s own and so on.”

    Onanuga said instead of intervening, the government plans to promote alternative energy solutions like Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) offering a cheaper option for consumers and subsidizing conversion costs for vehicles.

    He noted that the price difference is significant, with CNG costing about N230 per liter compared to PMS at around N855 per liter.

  • FG vows to honour $5b African Energy Bank host country agreement

    FG vows to honour $5b African Energy Bank host country agreement

    Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has pledged that Nigeria would honour the host country agreement for the $5billion African Energy Bank.

    The African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) asked the federal government of Nigeria to honour the host countries’ agreement with the bank.

    Nigeria won the hosting right for the $5billion Bank in early July this year.

    Speaking, while paying host to the APPO delegation in Abuja, he said Nigeria is committed to honouring the host countries’ agreement.

    Lokpobri said Nigeria is also working tirelessly to beat the September ending deadline for the bank opening.

    Read Also: What you need to know about FG’s ban on under-18 WAEC, NECO candidates

    He said the country is working assiduously to fulfill all the issues the secretary general raised.

    He promised to secure an appointment for the APPO boss to meet with President Bola Tinubu.

     Earlier, the AEB, Secretary General, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, who led the delegation urged the minister to also prepare the headquarters for the September end take-off.

    He said: “There are two issues: one host country agreement. The second is the headquarters, preparing it.”

    He urged Nigeria to work hard to prove critics who were opposed to its hosting the headquarters wrong.

    He asked Nigeria to fulfill all the promises it made while seeking to host the bank’s headquarters.

    He revealed that other countries have started asking him when the bank is moving to the headquarters office in Nigeria.

    His words: “I want to appeal to you and to the government to do everything you can to conform to what you have promised APPO, promised that informed the decision to give Nigeria the hosting right.

    “Everybody is looking up to Nigeria, Ministers of other countries are asking me when are you moving, when are we starting?

     As I am here today, I want to appeal to you to help to keep the Nigeria name.”

  • Lokpobiri wades in NMDPRA, Dangote Refinery feud

    Lokpobiri wades in NMDPRA, Dangote Refinery feud

    The Minister of State Petroleum Resources [Oil], Senator Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders to address and resolve the ongoing issues surrounding the Dangote Refinery.

    Recall Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recently accused the refinery of churning out inferior products.

    Responding, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, President Aliko Dangote offered to sell out the refinery to the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

    A press statement endorsed by the Special Adviser Media and Communication, Nneamaka Okafor issued yesterday said present at the meeting were Dangote Group, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Aliko Dangote; Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed; Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC); Engr. Gbenga Komolafe, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mr. Mele Kyari.

    Read Also: Lokpobiri holds peace meeting to resolve Dangote Refinery, NMDPRA rift

    The stakeholders, according to the statement, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his exemplary leadership and timely intervention in facilitating this crucial dialogue.

    The meeting focused on finding a sustainable and lasting solution to the current impasse affecting the Dangote Refinery, with all parties demonstrating a commitment to collaborative and proactive problem-solving.

    Lokpobiri stressed the importance of cooperation and synergy among all stakeholders to ensure the success and optimal performance of the Oil and Gas sector, which is pivotal for Nigeria’s economic growth and energy security.

    This meeting marks a significant step towards resolving the challenges and underscores the Minister’s dedication to fostering a conducive environment for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

  • Nigeria pledges compliance with OPEC production adjustment

    Nigeria pledges compliance with OPEC production adjustment

    The minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has pledged compliance with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) production adjustment targeted at market stabilisation.

    He made Nigeria’s dedication to the Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) known during the 37th OPEC and OPEC Plus meeting, which he attended virtually.

    The minister’s special adviser on media and communication, Nneamaka Okafor, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, June 2.

    She said: “The minister emphasized the country’s continued compliance with production adjustments designed to stabilize the global oil market.”

    In his address, the minister also said: “Nigeria remains unwavering in its commitment to the agreements made under the DoC. Our adherence to these production adjustments is crucial for maintaining market balance and supporting global efforts toward sustainable oil market stability.”

    Read Also: OPEC rules out oil production policy change

    During the meeting, several critical items were discussed and agreed upon, including production quotas and strategies to ensure long-term market equilibrium. The minister highlighted Nigeria’s role in these discussions, noting, “Our participation in this meeting and agreement on key strategies underscores our dedication to fair and equitable outcomes for all member countries.”

    The productive discussions at the ministerial meeting reinforced the collective efforts of OPEC and non-OPEC members to achieve sustainable oil market stability. The minister expressed confidence in the positive impact of these decisions on the global oil market, stating, “The collective decisions made during this meeting will contribute significantly to stabilizing the global oil market, ensuring a balanced and fair approach for all involved.”

    Nigeria’s ongoing commitment to the DoC and its active participation in OPEC and OPEC plus meetings highlight the country’s proactive stance in global oil market discussions and its commitment to fostering international cooperation and stability.

    The next meeting is scheduled to be held on 1st December 2024.

  • Govt woos pipeline investors from UAE

    Govt woos pipeline investors from UAE

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri yesterday called on the United Arab Emirate (UAE) investors to invest in the Nigeria’s crude oil pipeline. He noted that the pipelines, which were installed over 50years ago have now outlived their lifespan and are due for replacement.

    The minister spoke in his Abuja office while receiving the UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al Shamsi and his delegation on a courtesy visit.

    His words: “I want to use this opportunity to call on investors in the UAE to come to Nigeria.

    Nigeria has enormous investments opportunities: our pipelines have been over 50 years.  Nigeria found oil in 1956-58, then till now is almost 70 years when those pipelines were built. So they have already outlived their lifespan. You need to evacuate to the terminals, where you go to export.

    “So it is an opportunity. We are actually looking up to potential investors from UAE to come and invest here and then recover their money. The model is very attractive.”

    Read Also: Iran to hold memorial ceremonies for late president today

    Lokpobiri noted that the Federal Government is planning to ensure that the investors recover their fund from every barrel of crude oil they transport proportionately based on the mutual agreement of the two countries.

    The minister, who described Nigeria as a more of a gas country that an oil country, noted that it would have exceed the over 20 years ago record of 208Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF) official record.

    “We also have over 208TCF of gas and we in Nigeria know that these records are over 20 years,” he said.

     He added similarly, the Federal Government is confident that Nigeria has also exceeded its official 37billion barrels crude oil reserves since other African countries are discovering crude oil.

    Lokpobiri said consequently, the government has resumed its drilling campaign for ramping up its crude oil discovery and also sustain the momentum.

    The minister revealed that for the government to boost its crude oil production, it is putting measures in place to liberalize bureaucracy, which has been delaying investments in the industry.

    He said, “We are achieving that by liberalizing the process. We are trying to reduce the bureaucracy that has been one of the reasons why these investments are delayed. We are trying to make things easier for those who want to invest to come in.”

    He also noted that with the advent of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) can now operate commercially in a manner it could not do in the past.

    Lokpobiri who expressed joy that UAE has resumed issuance of visa to Nigerians, added that the ministry is committed to deepening a strategic relationship with the Emirate.

    He said the federal government is looking forward to seeing potential investors from UAE in the oil and gas which is the quickest way to get return on investment.

    The minister was boastful that one cannot talk about the African market without the Nigerian oil and gas industry.

    Stressing the market is huge, he said the investments could be in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) or any part of the entire value chain of the industry.

    He agreed with the ambassador that the import and export portfolio between the two countries in terms of oil and gas is very low.

    “Like you rightly said, there is not much import and export in Nigeria to UAE in terms of oil and gas investment,” he said, stressing that “I believe the time is now for us  to concretize our relationship and take opportunity to get investors from UAE.”

    Lokpobiri, who admitted that Nigeria does not have the money, asked Al-Shamsi to ask Emirate companies to come and invest to their billions of dollars in thr giant of Africa.

    “We don’t have the dollars but investors in UAE, you have the dollars in billions. You can come and invest it here and then recover your investment,” he admonished the envoy.

    Speaking, Al Shamsi responded positively, stating, “We see great potential in Nigeria’s energy sector and appreciate the steps being taken to create a conducive investment environment. Our countries have much to gain from continued collaboration.”

  • Fed Govt, PETAN unite for oil, gas sector growth

    Fed Govt, PETAN unite for oil, gas sector growth

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri has said that the federal government will collaborate with the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) in efforts to increase Nigeria’s oil production and revenue. The minister gave the assurance when he visited members of the PETAN in Lagos.

    Lokpobiri admitted that the government was putting up measures to restore oil production, adding there is a need for the ministry and PETAN  to work together to maximise all available opportunities that could help increase production in the country.

    He stated that the quickest way for the country to overcome the current economic hardship is through the exploration and production of oil and gas adding that the government is actively engaged in policy evolution, aimed at maximising the utilisation of all available oil and gas wells in the country.

    “No country leaves their well idle, in Nigeria so many seismic activities have been done and we have a lot of oil wells that are yet to be utilized. Imagine one of the OML’s has about 150 idle wells, there is no way we can increase production if these wells continue to be idle. The wells are already drilled and capped since 1970s; these are low-hanging fruits,” the minister said.

    Read Also; Tinubu’s economic reforms yielding results, says Alake

    He further explained that part of government’s policy direction is to see how idle wells can be farmed out for proper utilization, especially now that the world is transiting to cleaner energy. He was emphatic that except the country’s oil production is increased, her midstream and downstream segment will continue to suffer.

    “So, I believe that I and PETAN need to work together so that we can maximise the opportunities the industry can avail us, for the economic prosperity and development of the nation,’’ he assured.

    He expressed the conviction that the solution to Nigeria’s energy poverty is a responsibility of every stakeholder, stressing that nobody or nation would come to salvage the nation’s oil and gas industry except Nigerians.

    He also pointed out that the essence of the Local Content law was to enable Nigerians to build strong capacity to be able to play side by side with their international counterparts.

    Lokpobiri noted that Nigeria had not depleted her oil reserve, adding rather, with the increased reserve that was announced recently by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), it was expedient that the Nigerian government will do all it can to drill more wells.

    The NUPRC had announced a rise in Nigeria’s hydrocarbon reserves as of January 1, 2024, with the country’s stock of crude oil jumping by 1.087 billion barrels and its gas reserves surging by as much as 2.573 trillion Cubic Feet (TCF).

    In line with NUPRC’s statutory declaration, Nigeria now boasts of 37.5 billion crude oil reserves, while its total gas resources as of the beginning of this year, now stands at 209.26 TCF. The minister said that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration was doing all it could to take the nation to a better economic standing in the comity of the nations. He acknowledged that one of the cardinal points of the president was to address the nation’s energy poverty, noting that as the world is transiting, the nation must address its challenges to enable the country to transit as well.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of PETAN, Wole Ogunsanya, an engineer, reiterated the association’s commitment to supporting the Minister and all the efforts of the present administration towards increasing oil production and development of the energy sector. He however called on the government to see how it could grant incentives to stakeholders in a bid to ensure better output and economic benefit for the industry and the nation at large.

  • ‘Review Atala oil field ownership’

    ‘Review Atala oil field ownership’

    Minister for State Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri has pledged to look into the ownership of Oil Mining  Lease (OML 46), Atala oil field.

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Diri Douye, who paid him a courtesy visit in Abuja had sought the minister’s intervention in the matter.

    Read Also: Reps to investigate non-remittance of tax by MDAs, oil companies, others

    Recalled the oil field was formerly owned by the trio of Bayelsa Oil Company Limited (BOCL), Hardy, and Century Exploration and Production Limited (CEPL).

    But 2003  Halkin Exploration and Production Limited acquired the field from th  defunct Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) upon the revocation of the license of the previous owners that failed to develop the field.

  • NOGAPS industrial park will be a game changer, says Lokpobiri

    NOGAPS industrial park will be a game changer, says Lokpobiri

    From Simon Utebor, Yenagoa

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has expressed satisfaction about the level of work done at the Nigerian Oil and Gas Park Scheme (NOGAPS), by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

    He said this yesterday during a tour of the project facilities in company with the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, at Emeyal 1 in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State.

    The minister added that the industrial park would be a game changer.

    Lokpobiri noted that the All Progressives Congress (APC) government made a promise to Nigerians that “we are going to create an opportunity for businesses to thrive.”

    He said the Petroleum Ministry is going to support the board in anyway it can to ensure the facility is completed in time.

    Read Also: I’m committed to APC’s victory in Bayelsa – Lokpobiri

    He said: “I am impressed with what I have seen here. I have earlier seen the presentation by the Executive Secretary on the scene when they came to Abuja. I felt am going to come here to come and see things for myself. Sometimes, what you see on paper or on the screen presented to you may not be a true reflection of what is on ground.

    “So, I choose to come here today and I have seen what is here and I want to say this is a world-class. The APC government made a promise to Nigeria that we are going to create an opportunity for businesses to thrive. When this is completed, this industrial park will be a game changer.

    “I was talking with the ES and he said he already has excess applicants, application of those who want to come and take spaces here to manufacture one thing or the other and we are going to support the board in any way that we can to ensure this is completed within time, so that we will be able to make this facility available to those who want to manufacture different things or products not only for the oil industry, but also for the entire economy, create jobs for our teeming youths.

    “So I am highly impressed with what I am seeing here and I can’t wait for this to be completed for the benefit of Nigerians.”

    The NCDMB Executive Secretary, Simbi Wabote, said the project, which was scheduled to be completed by last quarter of 2023, had to slow down because of the impact of flood, adding that he is very optimistic that the industrial park will be opened by the first quarter of 2024.

    He said: “You can see the construction work, as you know building things in Bayelsa State is not a piece of cake, it takes time. We were impacted by the flood, we had to slow down, but we are optimistic that in the first quarter of 2024, we will get this facility inaugurated.

    “Substantial interest, we are screening. Like you know, when you put out something like this, a lot of people indicate interest, but you have to really screen them to know those who are serious. Currently, we have similar project in Odukpani, Cross River State. We have trucks of those who have applied and we are screening them. At the appropriate time, we will allocate to those who indeed will come and set up manufacturing here.”