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Tag: John Ofikhenua

  • Minister tasks Customs on import levy

    Minister tasks Customs on import levy

    The Minister of Finance Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, on Tuesday, tasked the Director-General of Nigeria Customs Service and African Union Commission to bring on board the issue of 0.2 per cent import levy and come out with the guidelines for its implementation.

    She based the call for the implementation on making it a permanent source of funding for implementation by all members states as a permanent source of funding activities of the Commission.

    Adeosun made this disclosure at the first extraordinary meeting of the African Union sub-committee of Directors-General of Customs in Abuja.

    The minister also pointed out to the meeting that Africa cannot continue to settle for the position of the biggest world’s buyer without selling to the world market in return.

    According to her, the continent must come to the trade table as an equal partner that is buying and selling in order to correct the age-long embarrassment that has made its economy vulnerable.

    Her words: “But on a more serious note, I really do welcome you. I hope that the conversation would be deep, I hope they would be robust, I hope that they would be patriotic to Africa. We need an African focus.

    “We cannot continue to be the world’s biggest market for anybody who wants to sell anything. We need to come to the trade table as equal partners, selling as well as buying. And we must correct some historical embarrasses that have made our economies very vulnerable.”

    The minister noted that Nigeria is not just African’s largest economy by size but African’s largest economy by impact, stressing that the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali has shown the way that Africans ought to go as the largest economy by initiative- spearheading and hosting the meeting.

    She revealed to the meeting that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is very committed to the ease of doing business and it has recently outlined a number of some radical changes in the expectation of the public for service delivery.

    The Nigeria Customs Service, said the minister, is the is the first part of the changes, which has called for the need to re-engineer some of the processes that the meeting was expected to come up with the strategies for their implementation.

    Speaking, Ali retired, recalled that since the decision to hold the meeting in Harare, Zimbabwe in November 2016, the service had been mobilising personnel and materials to provide a conducive environment and a befitting welcome to make it most successful.

    He said it was the expectation of the Nigerian Customs that the meeting would bring all the African Union Customs Administration together to articulate a common agenda and speak in unison during the World Customs Organization’s Annual General Council Meeting coming up in July 2017.

    The meeting, according to him, would afford the African continent the opportunity to occupy the rightful position in the WCO within the administrative and political hierarchy and exert an authority to influence policies that will be beneficial to the continent and enhance the intra-African trade.

  • OGFZA deploys Oracle clouds to raise efficiency

    OGFZA deploys Oracle clouds to raise efficiency

    The Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority (OGFZA) has taken a major step to advance its application of the Ease of Doing Business policy as it signed an agreement to power its operations with Oracle Cloud.

    As an IT solution, Oracle Cloud offers organisations the backbone to drive innovation and business transformation by enhancing speed and efficiency, lowering cost and simplifying IT complexity.

    The OGFZA Managing Director, Umama Okno Umana, who spoke at the agreement-signing ceremony at Oracle office in Abuja, said that the decision to invest in cutting edge technology was a fallout of OGFZA’s roadmap to optimise service delivery and add the most value to clients at every service point. 

    He said that “We agreed to add value—there is no way that can be achieved without retooling our processes to meet the expectations of our clients.”

    According to him, OGFZA was going for the best-in-class technology to meet global competition. “The market is global, so you’re competing with other service providers worldwide,” he said.

    He told Oracle Nigeria that he was looking forward to the expeditious implementation of the IT solution to drive its vision of being the premier agency of the Nigerian government attracting investments to grow the economy.

    Oracle applications sales director (public sector), Bisike Uba said the signature ceremony marked the beginning of a journey of transformation for OGFZA with Oracle as a guide. Bisike said the value proposition of Oracle Cloud was to help OGFZA drive efficiency, effectiveness and transparency at reduced cost in its day-to-day operations.

    The investment in Oracle Cloud fulfills OGFZA’s commitment to automation, which is a key proposition in the agency’s roadmap produced early this year at a strategic management retreat held in Onne, Rivers State. The Oracle Cloud solution is expected to guarantee that OGFZAdoes not falter in its commitment to new service standards such as the reduction of the turnaround time for a new licence from 28 days to 14 and the cut in the time for licence renewal from 14 days to 48 hours.

  • Fashola permits customers to buy power from Gencos

    Fashola permits customers to buy power from Gencos

    The Minister of Power Works & Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to permit eligible customers to buy power directly from the electricity generation companies (Gencos).

    According to him, this power of direct purchase of power is one of the four categories of the permits provided for in section 27 of the Electric Power Section Reform Act 2005.

    The commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Dr. Usman Arabi made this known in a statement yesterday. 

    NERC said that: “The declaration which permits electricity customers to buy power directly from the generation companies is in line with the provisions of Section 27 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005 whereby eligible customers are permitted to buy power from a licensee other than electricity distribution companies.

    “In exercising the power conferred on him by the said Act, the Honourable Minister of Power Works and Housing, directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (the Commission) to permit four categories of customers to buy power directly from a licensee other than electricity distribution companies.”

    The first category of eligible customers comprises of a group of end-users registered with the Commission whose consumption is no less than 2MWhr/h and connected to a metered 11kV or 33kV delivery point on the distribution network and subject to a distribution use of system agreement for the delivery of electrical energy. The next category of eligible customers are those connected to a metered 132kV or 330kV delivery point on the transmission network under a transmission use of system agreement for connection and delivery of energy.

    Other categories of customers under the declaration consists of those with consumption in excess of 2MWhr/h on monthly basis and connected directly to a metered 33kV delivery point on the transmission network under a transmission use of system agreement. Eligible customers in this category must have entered into a bilateral agreement with the distribution licensee licensed to operate in the location, for the construction, installation, and operation of a distribution system for connection to the 33kV delivery point.

    The last category are eligible customers whose minimum consumption is more than 2MWhr/h over a period of one month and directly connected to the metering facility of a generation company, and has entered into a bilateral agreement for the construction and operation of a distribution line with the distribution licensee licensed to operate in the location.

    The new policy directive is expected to bring into play new and stranded generation capacities which may be contracted between generation companies and eligible customers. The declaration further provides that at least 20% of the generation capacity added by the existing or prospective generation licensee to supply eligible customer must be above the requirement of the eligible customer and is supplied under a contract with a distribution or trading licensee at a price not exceeding the average wholesale price being charged electricity distribution companies by the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader Ltd. The conditions for the declaration of an eligible customer is subject to review by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission from time to time. 

  • Sanusi to Kano: safeguard pipelines

    Sanusi to Kano: safeguard pipelines

    The Emir of Kano, Mallam Muhammadu Sanusi II, has called on the people of Kano to individually assist in safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas facilities by watching out for pipeline vandals within their communities.
     
    Emir Sanusi made this call while receiving the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru, at his Palace in Kano, on Tuesday.
     
    The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, who disclosed this in a statement yesterday, quoted the monarch as saying in Hausa that: “I want to call on all our district heads, community leaders and the entire people of Kano State to consider safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas pipelines as a personal responsibility in their respective communities.”
     
    The Emir, who stated that the Kano Emirate would set the machinery in motion to ensure that all community leaders watch out for pipeline vandals within their domain, also carpeted the economic saboteurs for their unwholesome activities.
     
    “Their actions have caused untold hardship on people’s lives and created a huge negative impact on the environment as well as the economic prosperity of our nation,” the Emir added.
     
    He particularly commended the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru for re-inaugurating the Kano Depot which had led to the restoration of loading operations in the state.
     
    He said as the Centre of Commerce, Kano would soon experience the positive impact of the resuscitation of the Kano depot. “It is my hope that this development will also solve the power issues of our industrial areas in Sharada, Bompai and Challawa,” he noted.
     
    The Emir also commended the GMD for bringing his personal attributes of honesty and integrity to bear on the operations of the Corporation.
     
    “As someone I have known over the years for honesty and integrity, it is no surprise that the Corporation is recording remarkable milestones under his leadership.
     
    “Whoever knows you and knows what should be done to revamp the NNPC will be happy with your appointment. We pray God to continue to guide you in the execution of this huge responsibility”, the Emir stated.
     
    Responding, the GMD said his team was in Kano to re-commission the Kano Depot which has been down since January 2014. 
     
    He also thanked the Emir for his efforts at galvanizing the Kano community to help towards safeguarding the nation’s oil and gas assets.

  • DisCos remittance to TCN hits 35%

    The Market Operator (MO) of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) on Thursday said that the monthly remittance of the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) has now increased marginally to 35 per cent.

    Speaking at a participant and stakeholders meeting in Abuja, the Executive Director of Mo, Mr Moshood Saleeman vowed to enforce compliance and penalties for defaulters.

    He said: “We now experience a marginal increase of 35 per cent in the remittances of the DisCos but we are not yet there; it is improving gradually.”

    Saleeman said in spite of the three years after privatisation and about two years into the Transition Electricity Market (TEM), the power sector is still experiencing liquidity. He noted penalties will be strictly enforced especially on Market Rule 45 about market payment.

    Continuing, he said: “Henceforth, MO will enforce the rules and penalise defaulters – MR 45. From today, we are going to ensure that all the rules are complied with. They include rules about payment to the market, and other essential rules for the market to grow.”

    The MO noted that Nigeria has 150-kilo watt of electricity per capita and that is below average in other countries, with less than half of the population having access to power.

    The Transmission Service Provider (TSP) Head, Engr. Tom Uwah said its section of TCN is still battling with high frequency that tends to system collapse of nationwide blackout. He said the challenge was because some DisCos may not still be taking power generated by the GenCos.

    The Managing Director of TCN, Mr Usman Gur Mohammed urged the participants to avoid the blame game and work towards promoting the power sector. 

    Represented by the Director, Finance & Accounts, Mr Sunny Iroche, the TCN boss said load unutilisation (rejection) is still a challenge. “Load rejection causes high frequency in transmission when the DisCos reject load and we have to tell the GenCos to reduce generation so we can balance the system,” he said.

    He said TCN has improved its capacity to 6,500 megawatts (mw) and that the highest generation ever recorded was 5,074mw in February 2016 of which TCN was able to wheel. 

    He said TCN has reduced the transmission loss to eight per cent urge other participants to do more. “The power reforms in other climes like Brazil starts with the commercial end, when you are sure the DisCos can accept, distribute energy and meter close to 95 per cent of the customers, you can then address issues of generation and transmission at once,” he said.

  • Kachikwu continues engagement on investment with US

    Kachikwu continues engagement on investment with US

    As part of the just concluded international visit of the  Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu to the United States of America, where he led Nigeria’s delegation to the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston Texas, the Honourable Minister of State held a meeting with a delegation of the United States Departments of State and Energy at the United States Department of State in Washington D.C.

    The meeting had in attendance Ambassador Mary Bruce Warlick, Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs at the Department of State who led the United States discussions during the meeting which was grouped into two sessions the reform session and investment session respectively.

    The ministry’s Director of Press, Mr. Idang Alibi made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

    According to the statement, the Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs stated that Nigeria remains a critical priority for the US in Africa and bilateral relations, which are increasingly rooted in the shared values of both nations are delivering results. She further commended Nigeria on the significant steps taken in the Oil and Gas Industry reforms especially in the area of shared insights gained by the US team from reviewing the National Oil policy, The National Gas policy, The Fiscal policy and the draft of the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill and Petroleum Industry Fiscal Bill developed by the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

    The Minister of State while responding to the comments and feedback given by the Acting Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy said the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Buhari has clearly set out the choices that have to be made as nation over the next 4 years and have also taken significant steps in achieving this through the continuous implementation of the 7BigWins – the Nigerian Petroleum roadmap; which focuses on stabilizing the business environment, enshrining openness and transparency, developing and entrenching new policies and regulations.

    He also hinted on the launch of a pet project – “Project 100” which is aimed at maximizing and unleashing talents by identifying 100 Nigerians who have access to finding and are willing to make a change in the industry and collaborating with them to find solutions to the industry’s problems with a view to set Nigeria on the path of glory.

    Kachikwu further reiterated the positive impact that the ongoing engagement in the Niger Delta and the Oil Producing States led by the Acting President; His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is yielding results as evidenced by the near zero militant incidences and normalcy in production activity being restored in the region. A comprehensive and holistic developmental framework encompassing all Government Agencies and stakeholders, targeted directly at addressing gaps in the communities is being deployed with the 20-point Agenda that outlines the Roadmap to closure for militancy in the Nigerian Oil and Gas sector.

    He also harped on the need to work together with the US to sustain progress on reforms and match it with increased international investments in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector. Other areas of collaboration the Honorable Minister of States urged the US to invest in include capacity building, and acquisition of technology.

    As part of the discussions during the roundtable, Ambassador Warlick informed the Minister of State, that a team of Nigerian Senators would be meeting the US team on Friday May 5, 2017 to discuss progress on legislations relating to the Nigeria Oil and Gas industry. The honourable Minister responded to the visit of the Senators by stating that there has been a very high level of collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature in the passage of bills before the National Assembly and also cooperation in proffering far-reaching solutions that will grow Nigeria’s Oil and Gas sector.

    While discussing issues relating to gas strategy implementation and plans during the roundtable, Ibe Kachikwu said that Nigeria’s gas vision is to be an attractive gas-based industrial nation, giving primary attention to meeting local gas demand requirements, and developing a significant presence in international markets. He explained that the core principles behind the gas industrialisation agenda include separation of activities between the government and private sector, implementing full legal separation of the upstream from the midstream, pursuing a project-based rather than centrally-planned domestic gas development approach and establishing strong linkages with electric power, agriculture and other real sectors.

    He further clarified that for Nigeria to successfully attract investments and achieve an aspiration of zero routine gas flaring by 2020, the Federal Government developed a transparent licensing process for allocating and pricing gas flares, improving access to finance for gas flare monetization projects, providing incentives to investors, and strengthening the capacity of government regulatory agencies to monitor implementation of flare down projects. Another important gas initiative in the country is the provision of LPG for domestic use and CNG as a transportation fuel.

  • Refining activities hit 10million barrel in Q1

    Refining activities hit 10million barrel in Q1

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), on Tuesday said that following the peace initiative in the Niger Delta, refining activities in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna increased to 10million barrels of crude in the first quarter this year as against 8million and 24million barrels for the entire years of 2015 and 2016 respectively.

    Its Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, disclosed this in Abuja during an interactive session with a delegation from the United Kingdom Royal College of Defence Studies.  

    Baru, who was represented at the event by the Chief Operating Officer, Gas and Power, Engr. Saidu Mohammed stated that apart from the upbeat in the refineries activities attributable to the peace initiative which has lowered the rate of attacks on oil installations, the corporation has recorded increase in crude oil production to 2million barrels per day in recent times.

    The NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu who made this known in a statement, quoted him as saying: “As a nation, we have tried all available options, including military, to tackle the security challenge. We have discovered that guns are not as effective as the engagement option. The peace we are enjoying now is as a result of the engagement with stakeholders in the region led by the Acting President. We intend to build on that to achieve a lasting peace.”

    Dr. Maikanti Baru said having been satisfied with the prevailing respite in the Niger Delta which has engendered a conducive environment for oil and gas production operations in the past few months, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) would do all it could to build on the gains of the Federal Government engagement with stakeholders in the region to deepen and sustain the peace.

    Speaking earlier, the team lead of the UK Royal College of Defence Studies delegation, Major General Craig Lawrence, said the group was in NNPC to learn how the corporation was generating wealth and prosperity for the country in the face of daunting challenges.

    He thanked the management of NNPC for sparing the time to explain to the delegation the workings of the corporation.

    Members of the delegation included United Kingdom, France, Pakistan, and Thailand nationals, among others.

  • NNPC vows to resume oil search in Chad Basin

    NNPC vows to resume oil search in Chad Basin

    …plans to hit 3million bpd

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will resume oil exploration activities in the Chad Basin of the Country.

    The projection came on the heels of improved security situation in the North-East of the country which had been devastated by insurgent upheavals.

    Group Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru made this disclosure yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Borno State, Hon. Kashim Shettima and the Shehu of Borno, Alh (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, in Maiduguri.

    According to a statement that the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu issued on Monday, Baru said that: “We have been discussing with military authorities in the area and they have assured us of improved security. Once they give us the green light, we would resume operations in the area within six weeks.”

    The statement noted that it was the Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, that represented him in the visit.

    Baru informed the Governor that NNPC was keen on increasing its production from 1.9million bpd to 3million bpd as well as increasing its oil and gas reserves, a target that necessitated exploring for more oil within and across some of the nation’s inland basins.

    The GMD commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari as well as the state Governor in the area of peace restoration, reconstruction and rehabilitation, stressing that as a responsible corporate citizen, the Corporation was ready to provide support in that regard.

    At the Shehu of Borno’s Palace, the GMD sought the fatherly support of the traditional ruler especially in the area of host community understanding towards the resumption of oil exploration activities within the State.

    The Corporation also presented relief items to the Shehu for onward delivery to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

    Earlier in his remarks, Governor Kashim Shettima said the insurgency had taken a huge toll on the North East region leading to the loss of over $9.6bn, with Borno state alone losing $5.6bn.

    “We need your support in our reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts so that when the history of the new Borno is written, NNPC’s name will be written in gold,” he stated.

    He stressed that much as the International donor agencies and good-spirited organisations like the NNPC were keen on helping the IDPs, the state’s ultimate target was to resettle the IDPs in their various communities.

    Also responding, the Shehu of Borno, Alh. (Dr.) Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, thanked the NNPC Management for identifying with the Borno people, stressing that the Corporation should do more for the betterment of Nigerians.

    He expressed his happiness over the peace being enjoyed across the State now and the entire North East, stressing that in the nearest future, “Borno people will survive the onslaught of the insurgency.”

  • EFCC investigates theft in electricity industry

    EFCC investigates theft in electricity industry

    Efforts to curb the incidence of energy theft in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is being intensified with the ongoing investigation of the collusion by some staff, customers and meter manufacturers to bypass meters under some of the areas covered by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

    This development along with significant progress in ongoing electricity generation and transmission projects execution across the country were some of the highlights captured in the Communique of the 15th Monthly Meeting of the Power Sector Operators presided over by the Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, at the NIPP Injection Substation, Lamingo, Jos.

    According to the Communiqué, “Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company noted that collusion by some of its staff, customers and meter manufacturers to bypass meters has been reported to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and is under investigation.”

    The Minister’s Special Adviser on Communication, Mr. Hakeem Bello disclosed this in a statement yesterday.

    The statement noted that the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) also announced the completion of host community connection projects in Magboro, which is currently undergoing testing by Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and the progress being made in the community connections in Egbema, Okija, Oronta, Ihiala, and Nnewi in the South-East.

    On its part, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) reported that Katampe 60MVA substation in Abuja was restored on April 11, 2017 and the 40 MVA mobile substation in Damboa, Borno State was commissioned on May 7, 2017, while the Makeri to Pankshin 132kV line in Plateau and Okpella line in Edo State were both expected to be switched on in August 2017 adding that the installation of new circuit breaker in Egbin was scheduled for commissioning on May 19, 2017.

    In the area of customer service, while the Nigerian Electrical Regulatory Company (NERC) announced its intention to reduce the number of days required to access electricity connections in new buildings from an estimated 198 to 30 days through a regulatory Order to be released shortly, Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED) reported on complaints on fast reading meters in its coverage areas which were forwarded to the Minister and agreed to resolve the issues to the satisfaction of consumers.

    Hope of a boost in liquidity in the sector rose also as the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET) reported on international customer payments, stating that the Republic of Niger (NIGELEC) and Republic of Benin (CEB) had made payments for power of $159,773, 116.61, with a combined balance still outstanding of $92,315,986.20, adding that payments had been duly remitted to the Generating Companies and Service Providers who, it said, had provided the generation and transmission services.

    In the same vein, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Power, and Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to paying verifiable power debts, and announced the completion of physical verification of the top 100 MDA locations in Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) with plans to visit Eko and Ikeja DisCos for physical verification as a prelude to payment.

    In terms of payment performance for service provision among the DisCos, the Market Operator reported that Eko DisCo was the best performer at 89 per cent while Kaduna DisCo recorded the worst performance at 13 per cent. And in terms of registration as power market participants amongst DisCos, Abuja Electricity Company, APL Electricity Company, Kaduna Electricity Company and Geometric Power have not completed registration while amongst GenCos, Delta Power, Okpai, Omoku and NIPP plants are yet to complete registration.

    In the Communiqué, the operators, who noted that the Monthly Meeting serves as forum for Providing an opportunity to inspect electricity assets and for power sector decision makers to take critical decisions in unison to move the sector forward as well as providing correct sector information to the public noted that while the first and second objectives had been largely achieved, the third had not been achieved.

    Blaming it on the inaccurate information often disseminated by the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) regarding the plan to escrow accounts earlier agreed by the DisCos themselves as a condition before accessing low priced loans from the Federal Government, the Communiqué averred that by failing to mention the fact that the conditions of the loans were not mandatory, but were terms of the credit facility, information advertised by ANED were misleading.

    Additionally, the Communiqué stated, lack of corporate governance displayed by some DisCos, evidenced by failing to provide audited accounts, improved services and urgent response to customer complaints, meters and network investment had shown inconsistencies in DisCo statements, pointing out that the Federal Government had expended income to verify any claims accurately made against them, to the knowledge of the DisCos.

    The meeting also noted that the failure of Distribution Companies to remit payment as owed to NBET led to the approval by the Federal Government of Nigeria of N701billion Payment Assurance Guarantee to Generating Companies, to fill the payment gap.

    Expressing regrets over the electrical accident which occurred on April 20, 2017 in Calabar, Cross River State for which it observed a moment of silence, the Meeting reiterated the need to prioritize safety regulations and emphasized the need for the support of the sector regulators.

    In order to avert similar incident in the future, the Meeting announced, for the information of the public, applicable regulations for setback saying for 330kV lines a total of 50 metres setback was required consisting of 25metres on each side from the centre while 132kV and 33kV lines required a total 30 metres (15 m on each side) and a total 3.5 metres setback respectively.

    For 11KV lines, a total 3 metres setback is required while 41kV lines require 1.5 metres setback and underground cables are to be buried at least 3 metres below the ground surface, the Meeting said while also agreeing that buildings and structures built beneath ‘high tension’ power lines should be disconnected from power supply systems as already issued by NEMSA to DisCos for reasons of safety.

    Enjoining the public to halt the practice of illegally constructing structures beneath and illegally connecting to power lines, the Meeting said it would encourage prioritisation of investment in education and communication on electrical safety measures through the creation of a task force within the sector, adding that it would work with state governors to reduce accidents as a course of action.

    According to the Communiqué, the Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, highlighted the work being done in various areas of Plateau State to supply power using solar, wind and other renewable resources saying they were complimentary to the Federal Government’s projects.

    The Governor acknowledged, with gratitude, the importance of the Federal Government projects in the state, particularly the 132kV line from Makeri to Pankshin and their potential to boost tourism, agriculture and power to rural communities, as well as various rural electrification projects being undertaken by the Rural Electrification Agency.

    The Meeting, chaired by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN, was hosted by Jos Electricity Distribution Plc at NIPP Injection Substation, Lamingo, Jos and had in attendance the Plateau State Governor, Hon. Simon Lalong as well as the Chairman of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc, Alh. Yayale Ahmed.

    Focused, as usual, on identifying, discussing, and finding practical solutions to critical issues facing the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry, the Meeting also had in attendance Power Sector Operators who were fully represented at the highest executive management levels, including Commissioners of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

    Also in attendance were the Managing Directors and CEOs of Generating Companies (GenCos), Distribution Companies (DisCos), and the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Gas Companies (GasCos) and other government agencies such as the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET).

    Others were the Managing Director and CEOs of the Nigerian Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) and Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) responsible for the regulation and development of the electricity industry as well as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

  • Modular refineries: Fear of increased gas flaring grips FG

    Modular refineries: Fear of increased gas flaring grips FG

    • Promises to control operations
    Following  investors’ bid to establish modular refineries, the Ministry of State for Petroleum, Dr. Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu on Thursday expressed fear that the rate of gas flaring in the country will rise.
    His Senior Technical Adviser on Investment, Dr. Tim Okon, who represented him in Abuja during the presentation of the report on “New Nigeria Oil &Gas Framework and Policy”, however vowed that the government will control the operations of the refineries.
    His words: “Modular refineries will worsen our flare. We have to use economics of scale. If we have many refineries they will accentuate problems. So we we will have to control them.”
    He announced that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNP) will next year call for expression of interest (bids) for marginal fields, which will be opened for companies’ participation.
    According to him, prior prior to the exercise, the marginal field policy would have come into force.
    The NNPC, said the minister, will ensure that the Niger Delta gets micro businesses to do as the government is keen about providing a business friendly environment.
    He revealed that there will be a critical legislation to make gas independent of government subsidy, which has caused significant loss of revenue from the product.
    Kachikwu added that, “we want to make sure that gas can economically stand on its own.”
    He said that in the new scheme of things, government intervention in the petroleum sector will focus on developing entrepreneurs in the country to discourage “sharing money that distort political discourse and value system.”
    Before the event ended,  Kachikwu arrived in person. He said that besides oil, Nigeria is a country with deliverable resources, with an educated and aggressive populace.
    Commenting on the economic state of the nation and taking into cognizance of its potentials, he said “I imagine what Nigeria could become if we do the right thing.”
    He noted that the essence of the seven big wins is to bring out the latent opportunities in the oil and gas system to take a collaborative responsibility to assist those who really want to become players in the field.
    The minister said that the sector had been locked down by interest groups for too long positively or negatively, however time has come to open up the areas that are there.
    He pointed out that  it is now the responsibility of the ministry to assist those that have creative ideas about the industry  to “creates employment and development.”
    He recalled that he announced the concept of project 100 in Houston, which is to identify 100 Nigerians with skills, capacities and enthusiasm for the relevant assistance from government.