Energy
NCDMB to boost domestic manufacturing by 1 million LPG cylinders annually, as Sylva unveils Gas hub and Rungas Plant
Yemie ADEOYE
YENAGOA -IN an effort to further strengthen the federal government’s quest for economic diversification and local manufacturing, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) is now set for the domestic production of about one million Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) annually, from its newly unveiled gas Hub situated in Bayelsa state, south-south Nigeria.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva graciously unveiled the NCDMB Gas Hub and performed the groundbreaking ceremony of Rungas LPG Composite Cylinder Manufacturing plant, located inside the Gas Hub at Polaku community in Bayelsa state.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Board in Yenagoa, and made available to Biztellers.com.ng via electronic mail.
The Gas Hub is sited at the 10.6 hectares of land which the Board had purchased at Polaku Community in 2013 for the purpose of establishing a pipemill. Discussions with various investors regarding set up of the pipemill did not yield desired results, thereby forcing the Board to re-strategise on how to utilise the land for productive uses.
Speaking at the event, the Minister stated that the project was in furtherance of the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to diversify the Nigerian economy by developing the nation’s huge gas resources across the entire value chain.
He commended NCDMB for re-strategizing to utilize the 10 hectares of land for gas related projects, adding that the event is a practical step being taken to give effect to the Federal government declaration of 2020 as year of gas.
Commenting on the proximity of the NCDMB gas hub to the Shell Gbarain-Ubie gas plant, Sylvia hinted that it will provide opportunities to leverage and activate value adding initiatives.
“The location of this land is close to the Gbarain Gas Plant that produces more than one billion standard cubic feet per day of gas; that provides opportunities to leverage on the proximity to activate value adding initiatives and lead to industrialization and multiple economic activities.
Commenting on the groundbreaking of Rungas Prime limited facility, Sylva said achieving LPG penetration across Nigeria will require targeted interventions directed at both the demand and supply end of the LPG value-chain. He mentioned that it is a pragmatic step towards achieving Federal Government’s agenda of LPG penetration towards making LPG the preferred choice for cooking fuel.
The Minister indicated that the manufacturing plant will have the capacity to produce between 400,000 to 1 million LPG composite cylinders per annum and in turn make composite LPG cylinders accessible and affordable to Nigerians as well as create employment opportunities during its construction and operations phase.
Sylva assured Rungas and other stakeholders that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was committed to supporting the success of the manufacturing plant, adding that a committee had been set-up to drive the National Gas Expansion Program to make Nigeria the gas hub for the African continent.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote explained that the Board developed a 10-Year Strategic roadmap in 2017 and commenced its implementation in January 2018, with an ambitious goal of achieving 70 percent Nigerian Content level by the year 2027.
He said: ”Technical Capability Development is one of the pillars of our Strategic Roadmap meant to facilitate the building of manufacturing facilities and capabilities to support in-country manufacturing and assembly of equipment and input materials required for exploration and production activities’’.
Wabote explained that the strategic roadmap provided the leverage to use the Polaku land for gas related activities and partner with Rungas Limited to setup LPG Cylinder Manufacturing plant; Shell Nigeria Gas to set up Pressure Reduction and Metering Station and Total Support Energy Limited for the provision of CNG and LNG mother-stations.
Shedding more light on the Board’s new strategies for the Polaku land, Wabote stated that “within a year of changing the direction towards gas, we have finalised partnerships with three investors with four hectares of the land already taken up.
He mentioned that these activities will contribute to our drive towards the 70 percent Nigerian Content and creation of job opportunities and other economic activities.
He congratulated Rungas Prime Industries Limited and other stakeholders for taking the bold step to bring the facility to Bayelsa State.
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Energy
Asharami Synergy Unveils Fuelling Solutions In Omagwa
In line with its commitment to driving access to quality petroleum products, Asharami Synergy Limited, a leading Sahara Group downstream company, has said the public can now access exceptional fuelling solutions at its newly commissioned retail station in Omagwa, Rivers State.
Situated strategically along the Airport Road in Omagwa, the station, which features a storage capacity of 45,000 litres each for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO, also known as diesel) and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS, also known as petrol) is equipped with two pumps and four discharge nozzles for PMS and AGO.
The facility also has ample space for sundry services in a bid to ensure consumers get more “miles and smiles” as well as the energy to “go further” with Asharami’s world-class products.
“The Asharami Omagwa Retail Station is fully operational, offering a range of premium products and services. It’s a one-stop shop that also gives our esteemed customers eat-in and take-out restaurant services, shopping, as well as the Asha lubricants and Asha Service experience which will ensure premium care for all classes of automobiles and engines,” said Oladimeji Williams, Head, Government Relations and Business Development at Asharami Synergy.
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At the Commissioning, Willaims said the new station represents an important step in Asharami Synergy’s expansion plan aimed at reaching and serving more communities responsibly. “This station is strategically positioned close to the airport, serving as the gateway for powering socio-economic development in the community and those close to it, while enabling Asharami Synergy integrate all aspects of its downstream business towards ensuring efficiency and value for our customers,” he stated.
Williams commended the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Omagwa community leaders for their support and collaboration throughout the project’s duration, describing it as a “seamless and productive process that highlights Asharami’s corporate stewardship and social impact” in the community.
Similarly, Ifesinachi Ezike, Regional General Manager (South South), FAAN, emphasized the broader significance of the new station, stating, “This occasion marks a significant milestone not just for Asharami Synergy but for the airport and the entire community. It marks not just an opening of a new facility but the beginning of a renewed commitment to enhancing the travel experience of all our passengers and stakeholders”.
In a move that underscores its commitment to sustainability and community development, Asharami Synergy also commissioned a solar-powered borehole during the launch. The borehole is set to improve access to clean and reliable water for residents, marking a tangible contribution to the local community.
“At Sahara, we are always making a difference—not just through our business operations; we are unwavering in our commitment to driving sustainable development and building partnerships that enhance the well-being of our host communities,” Williams added.
Energy
Awards Galore For Shell, Staff At NAPE 2024 Conference
The Shell companies in Nigeria and staff won awards in recognition of their robust participation at the 42nd Annual International Conference and Exhibition of the National Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE), held in Lagos.
At the closing dinner of the event, the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Ronald Adams pledged sustained efforts by the company to address “the Nigerian energy trilemma by powering progress towards energy security in a sustainable manner”.
On the awards, the Shell was declared Best Overall Exhibitor and Best Exhibiting Energy company (International) just as Geophysicist Somime Oguntola took home the Award of Excellence for Oral Paper (second place).
The icing on the cake was a Shell staff, Johnbosco Uche, being installed as the new President of the NAPE.
It was gathered that the Shell companies in Nigeria have supported NAPE since its founding in 1975, using the skills and expertise of the large pool of energy professionals in its employment to improve its activities especially educational and mentoring programmes.
In addition to being a major sponsor of the 2024 conference, Shell mounted a high-profile exhibition, featuring among other things, career counselling, engagements on Nigerian Content and Contractor development and panel sessions on Women in Industry and Sustainability Energy Challenge.
A highlight was the Shell medical stand which attended to more than more than 500 conference participants and members of the public over the four days of the annual event. The doctors and nurses offered a wide range of services including laboratory tests, deworming, medical consultation as well as ophthalmology checks and distribution of nearly 300 eyeglasses.
Adams referred to the operations of SNEPCo as an example of Shell’s contribution to energy security in Nigeria. “As a result of sustained production from Bonga, we have provided funds to finance development, created a new generation of Nigerian Deepwater professionals, empowered indigenous contractors and service providers, and implemented social investments that have touched lives in the six geo-political zones of the country,” he said.
Adams added, “SNEPCo and indeed Shell are in Nigeria for the long haul. Our commitment is reflected in both our current and growth plans, all of which are grounded in principles of safety, affordability, and competitive performance.”
Energy
Accugas Denies Culpability In Akwa Ibom’s Power Outage
Owing to the persistent power outage, which has crippled economic and social life in most parts of Akwa Ibom State and environs, Accugas Limited has washed its hands off the ugly situation.
This was contained in a statement under the signature of its Communications Manager, Okwudili Onyia, in which the company traced the anomaly to a “fault in the 132-KV Aba-Itu transmission line”.
To ameliorate the situation, the company maintained that “It is imperative that the restoration of the Aba-Itu line is completed as soon as possible.”
In addition, the company pledged thus, “Accugas will continue to partner with, and support, the government of Akwa Ibom State towards achieving the government’s agenda for economic development and prosperity of the state.”
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The statement reads, “Accugas Limited, a subsidiary of Savannah Energy, wishes to strongly deny the misinformation concerning its alleged involvement in the current power outage in Akwa Ibom State.
“The power cut in Akwa Ibom State is entirely due to the reported fault in the 132-KV Aba-Itu transmission line, which, unfortunately, is preventing power being transmitted from the National Grid into the State. It is imperative that the restoration of the Aba-Itu line is completed as soon as possible.
“Ibom Power Company (“IPC”) is one of 23 thermal power generation companies which channel power to the National Grid, which in turn disseminates all accumulated power to each State of the Federation through the electricity distribution companies (“Discos”). Indeed, Accugas supplies gas to enable c. 20% of Nigeria’s thermal generation capacity and, as such, is a critical enabler of the Nigerian economy.
“Within Akwa Ibom State, Accugas has been the sole supplier of gas to IPC since 2014 and, together with other Savannah subsidiaries, has invested over US$1.5 billion in gas development within the state. Furthermore, Savannah has recently invested c. US$45 million in a gas compression project at Accugas’ Uquo central processing facility at Esit Eket. Accugas’ commitments also extend to several social investment projects in the state. All the foregoing investments and projects, including other imminent investments Accugas intends to make in the State, demonstrate the Company’s long-term commitment to Akwa Ibom State and Nigeria.
“Accugas will continue to partner with, and support, the government of Akwa Ibom State towards achieving the government’s agenda for economic development and prosperity of the state.”