NUPRC, others embark on joint investigation visit to FPSO Trinity Spirit

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Feb. 5, 2022 (NAN) The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and other relevant stakeholders have embarked on a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) to the Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility which exploded on Wednesday.

The NUPRC confirmed the development in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Trinity Spirit FPSO located at Ukpokiti field (OML 108) in Delta State exploded leading to a fire incident on the vessel.

Providing an update, the commission said the fire had been successfully extinguished.

It said: “The commission will commence JIV with relevant stakeholders immediately in line with our regulatory oversight function for upstream operations.

“The commission will further deploy its incident management strategy while also ensuring that the removal of the FPSO is carried out professionally to prevent an escalation of the incident.

“The commission will continue to ensure that all safety and environmental measures are strictly adhered to in the management of the incident.”

Also in a statement, the Management of Shebah Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SEPCOL), which owns the FPSO, confirmed that the JIV with relevant stakeholders and experts had been scheduled for Feb. 5.

The statement was signed by Mr Ikemefuna Okafor, the Chief Executive Officer, SEPCOL (In receivership).

Okafor had disclosed that that there was still no reported fatalities from the incident.

He said the company would continue prioritising investigations with respect to establishing the whereabouts, safety, and security of the 10 crew members who were on board the vessel prior to the incident.

Okafor lauded the assistance provided by the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team, government agencies and the people of the community, particularly the fishermen since the incident occurred. (NAN)

NMDPRA seeks upgrade of petroleum products storage facilities in Apapa jetty

(L-R) Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC Ltd., Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and Mr Olumide Adeosun, Chairman, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) during Ahmed’s inspection visit to Apapa Jetty in Lagos on Thursday.

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Feb. 3, 2022 (NAN) Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has called for the upgrade of petroleum products storage facilities in Apapa Jetty, Lagos.

Ahmed said this would help enhance safety and smooth distribution of petroleum products across the country.

He made the call on Thursday after an inspection visit to some facilities operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).

Ahmed, who was accompanied by Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, inspected the storage facilities of Ardova Plc, TotalEnergies and OVH Energy Marketing Company.

Ahmed noted that Lagos was one of the key areas through which Nigeria receives imports of petroleum products.

According to him, Apapa is also one of the major facilities for offloading of vessels and also trucking out petroleum products to other parts of the country.

He said: “This visit is in line with our oversight responsibility to see the reality on ground.

“There have been a lot of complaints about facilities being dilapidated and need some upgrade for efficient delivery of petroleum products.

“There is a lot of work to be done to upgrade these facilities. We went round some of the marketers facilities and we saw that most of them have not been upgraded in 20 to 25 years.

“We also saw that some marketers are upgrading their facilities and there are a lot of expansion projects going on in terms of storage facilities for petroleum products and Liquefied Petroleum Gas, as well as, truck out facilities.

“So, it is very good to see the upgrade in those areas but generally speaking, the jetty need a lot of work to be done in order to meet up with the new safety requirements.”

Ahmed said the authority would be having quarterly meetings with the marketers to review areas of concern that requires improvement.

On his part, Mr Clement Isong, Executive Secretary, MOMAN, thanked Ahmed for visiting the facilities to gather first hand information on the challenges facing the marketers.

He said: “This is the sort of regulator we have been looking for.

“The one that supports us, that supports our business, works with us, feels our pain and does what he can do to help us.” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

FG pays petrol bridging claims of N22.7bn to transporters – NMDPRA

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Feb. 2, 2022 (NAN) The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says the Federal Government has paid bridging claims amounting to N22.7 billion to transporters of petroleum products.

The Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, Mr Farouk Ahmed, made this known during an interactive session with downstream industry stakeholders on Wednesday in Lagos.

Ahmed added that the government would pay another N30 billion to the transporters before the end of this week to ensure the smooth distribution of petroleum products across the country.

The session had in attendance top officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Depots and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria.

He said: “Another area of concern is the transporters and payment of their bridging funds.

“Since the last meeting in December, we have paid about N12.7 billion to the transporters and on Jan. 24, we paid another N10 billion.

“This week, we are paying another N30 billion to transporters in a bid to give them respite because of the difficulties they are facing with the economic realities.”

He attributed the delay in the payment of the bridging funds, which was paid for transporting petroleum products by road to long distances, to verification of the claims of the transporters by the agency.

“We had to do our due diligence to reconcile before we make the payment.

“The reconciliation is still ongoing and the more we collect, the more we pay, in order to catch up with the backlog we inherited,” Ahmed said.

On the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, he said, regulations were being put in place by the Presidential Steering Committee chaired by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources.

Ahmed noted that out of about 38 regulations that relate to the NMDPRA, the authority had received about eight draft regulations forwarded for review.

He said: “The intention is to review these regulations and invite all the stakeholders to get input because we do not intend to do this alone.

” We need to invite stakeholders to review the regulations before they are put in place because the PIA is here to stay.”

Also,  Mr Adeyemi Adetunji, Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC Ltd., said that NNPC would play its role as an energy supplier of last resort for the country.

Adetunji said: “We will continue to ensure that all petroleum products are available.

“Thankfully, we went through the last festive season (Christmas/ New Year) with zero queues in the country.

“So, we thank all the stakeholders in the industry, we thank Nigerians for ensuring that they were able to access petroleum products at all retail stations and outlets.

“NNPC will continue to put in place and supply the market with adequate petroleum products even as we are now NNPC Ltd., a fully commercial company governed by both the PIA and Companies and Allied Matters Act.”

He said the company would continue to subscribe to the highest standards of all the regulations in the industry and collaborate with stakeholders.

Adeyemi said this was to ensure that Nigerians have adequate and quality flow of petroleum products at all times.

On his part, Mr Olumide Adeosun, Chairman, MOMAN, said a lot of the key issues tabled by the marketers had been addressed.

Adeosun said: “Some are yet to be addressed and some are work in progress.

“A case in point over work in progress is the plan that we need to have in place post- announcement of the postponement of the subsidy removal with the PIA.” (NAN)

Reliable electricity supply will boost MSMEs – FGN Power boss, Anuwe

Training --- From Left: Mr. Cheidu Ugbo, MD/CEO Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Engr. Idowu Oyebanjo, Chief Technical Officer, FGN Power Company, Mallam Dahiru Moyi, Chief Commercial Officer, FGN Power Company, Sean Manley, Siemens Presidential Power Initiative Project Director, Hon. Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba, Hon. Minister of Finance, Mrs. Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed and Board Chairman, FGN Power Company, Kenny O. Anuwe, MD/CEO, FGN Power Company, Umar Waziri, Chief Financial Officer, FGN Power Company, Mr. Ahmed Bolaji Nagode, DG, National Power Training Institute of Nigeria, Oladayo Orolu, Head Business Development and Government Relations, Siemens Energy and Fabrice Yamgoue Hakoua, Senior Consultant and Trainer, Distribution Networks Planning, Siemens AG at the official kickoff of the first Network Development Studies training under the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) in Abuja, yesterday.

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Jan. 31, 2022 (NAN) The Managing Director, FGN Power Company, Mr Kenny Anuwe, says reliable electricity will boost economic activities and improve Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the country.

A statement posted on Monday on the company’s website said Anuwe made the assertion at the inauguration of the first Power System Simulator (PSS) Software training session of the Power Technologies International.

Anuwe said the project was in line with the company’s mandate and the Federal Government’s Next Level agenda to resolve the existing bottlenecks in transmission and distribution networks aimed at increasing electricity access across Nigeria.

He said: “I am humbled to be a part of such a laudable project that will transform our power sector.

“It is important to stress that the benefits of constant and reliable electricity will boost economic activities; improve the lives of micro, small and medium enterprises across and deliver the much-needed power supply across the country.

“I want to assure you that we will do our best to deliver on this project to ensure greater success and sustainability.”

Anuwe commended the efforts of the Federal Government, the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Finance, and other stakeholders in providing reliable electricity to Nigerians. (NAN)

We’ll consult on suspension of subsidy removal – MOMAN

By Solomon Asowata

Lagos, Jan. 31, 2022 (NAN) The Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) says it is currently seeking consultation with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and other industry stakeholders on the suspension of the removal of petrol subsidy.

Mr Olumide Adeosun, Chairman, MOMAN, made this known while briefing newsmen on Monday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Hajia Zainab Ahmed, Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, had announced that the government would no longer go ahead with its earlier plans to remove subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit in July 2022.

Adeosun said: ” The members of the association are currently seeking to consult with the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and other industry stakeholders.

“This is to understand exactly how this decision would impact the other provisions in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as well as market operations. “

He noted that the reforms contained in the PIA were a combination of several decades of engagement with internal and external stakeholders, capturing local and international best practices.

According to him, this is to encourage investments in the petroleum downstream sector, optimise costs, ensure transparency, and upgrade industry assets and infrastructure (refineries, depots, pipelines, trucks, and filling stations).

Adeosun said the direction of MOMAN’s consultation would be towards understanding and contributing towards what market philosophy and regulations should be in place during the 18-month period to ensure uninterrupted supply, transparency.

“This will be in line with long-term objectives for the administration and growth of the industry,” he added.

Recall that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, had said after the decision to suspend removal of petrol subsidy was announced that the government would also seek an amendment to the PIA in light of the new development.(NAN)

NETCO empowers Iruland youths with vocational skills

Some of the Netcopreneur beneficiaries from Iru community, Victoria Island Local Council Development Area, Lagos State, pose with their starter packs during their graduation ceremony at the Oluponna Fish Farming and Resource Foundation (OFFER) Centre, Iwo, in Osun State.

By Solomon Asowata

Iwo (Osun) Jan. 28, 2022 (NAN)The National Engineering and Technical Company (NETCO)  has reiterated its commitment to empowering youths in its host community with vocational skills to enable them to contribute to national development.

Mr Johnson Awoyomi, Managing Director, NETCO made the pledge on Friday at the graduation ceremony of 13 youths from  Iru Community, Iru -Victoria Island Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NETCO is a subsidiary of the

Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd.

The “Batch B Netcropreneur ” beneficiaries were trained for three months at the Oluponna Fish Farming and Resource Foundation (OFFER) Centre, Iwo, in Osun State.

They were trained on Agribusiness (crop and livestock farming), Information Communication Technology as well as Catering and Craft.

Awoyomi, represented by Mr Ahmad Kigo, Executive Director, Services, NETCO, said the training was one of the many Corporate Social Responsibility services being embarked upon by the company.

He said: “As you all know, we can solve a lot of problems if we adopt skills acquisition method.

“We can curb unemployment, create wealth and tackle insecurity which is the present focus of the Federal Government.

“If our youths are empowered, there will be less security challenges. So, we are doing this not only for Iru community but for the benefit of the entire nation.”

Awoyomi said the skills impacted on the graduands — ICT, agriculture and event management — were in high demand in this era and would be of great benefits to them.

According to him, government alone cannot do everything, hence there is need for citizens to play their own part in nation building.

He, therefore, charged the graduands to take advantage of the opportunity to develop themselves and their community.

Also, Mr Garba Deen Muhammad, Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, said NNPC and its subsidiaries would continue to promote CSR programmes that touch the lives of millions of Nigerians.

Muhammad, represented by Mrs Doris Ohia, Manager, Community Impact Investment, NNPC, thanked the OFFER Centre for the quality of vocational training being given to the graduands.

The Rector of the institute,Rev. Fr. Bernard Azeez,  said the graduands were taken through rigorous training on business development that would enable them successfully run small and medium scale enterprises.

Azeez said they had become professionals in their respective fields and should imbibe the knowledge learnt from the training by being worthy ambassadors of OFFER Centre.

 

On his part, the Catholic Archbishop of Ibadan Archdiocese, Most. Rev. Gabriel Abegunrin, represented by Rev. Fr. Felix Akinyode, admonished the beneficiaries to utilise the opportunity in order to give back to the society.

 

Similarly, the Oniru of Iruland, Oba Gbolahan Lawal, represented by Chief Bashir Afolami, lauded the cordial relationship between NETCO and the community.

 

He said the palace would continue to emphasise on building the capacity of the youths through collaboration with organisations and companies operating within the area.

Responding on behalf of the graduands, Mr Sodiq Malik thanked NETCO and OFFER Centre for the opportunity given to them, promising that they would use it for the good of the nation. (NAN)

Power sector roadmap needs recalibration — expert

Mr Kola Balogun, Chairman, Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company An expert on power, Mr Kola Balogun, says Nigeria’s power sector roadmap needs to be recalibrated to overcome the challenges bedeviling the industry.

Balogun, Chairman, Momas Electricity Meter Manufacturing Company (MEMMCOL), said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari had recently expressed dissatisfaction with the sector’s performance almost nine years after it was privatised.

According to him, it is sad to note that Nigeria’s power generation capacity is still below 5,000MW considering the importance of stable electricity supply to socio-economic development of any country.

“I think there is the need for us to review the entire power sector journey. The entire roadmap that set up the privatisation needs to be recalibrated.

“In doing that, we have to take it in phases. There must be a renewed perception, a renewed strategy to ensure that we create a synergy that will make us to have a good reference point.

“The office of the Minister of Power needs to call for a stakeholders meeting to see how to define a new roadmap and strategy that would make the promise of having 24 hour power supply manifested in the country.”

He noted that part of the strategy should be to tackle the challenges in phases instead of attempting to solve them instantly.

“The good reference point should start from metering. Let us choose one state, one local government that we can say that particular location is hundred per cent metered.

“That location will have a direct link to one of the generation companies and there is a transmission line connected to it and it is having 24/7 power.

“That is the new calibration. If we have that as a reference point, then we can be saying that we are moving forward and we have solved one out of one million.

“A situation where we want to solve one million problems at the same time will end up not solving the problem. The decay in infrastructure is so much that we cannot address it at the same time.

“We don’t have the finance to address the entire infrastructural deficit and as such we cannot address all the problems at the same time.

“Even the Siemens intervention that is coming should be channeled toward a segmented section so that we can see the effects immediately,’’ Balogun said.

He also called for the decentralisation of the national power grid to curb the frequency of system collapse.

According to Balogun, the grid system has failed us. Every time we have system collapse because of decayed infrastructure. We need a lot of replacement.

“We need substation enhancement. Distribution substations, injection substations, transmission substations and network expansion of the transmission substations.

“These are issues that have been there and have compounded the problems of the sector.

“We need to recalibrate our strategy in such a way that we will be isolating it one by one and solving the problem until we get it right.’’ (NAN)