Energy
Clean Cooking: Sahara Group Advocates Pan African Investment In LPG Infrastructure
Leading sustainable energy and infrastructure conglomerate, Sahara Group, has emphasized the need for infrastructure development and collaboration among all stakeholders to accelerate accessibility, affordability, and adoption of clean cooking solutions in Africa.
Head, Business Development (Gas), Sahara Group, Ijeoma Isichei expressed the view in Paris, at the Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa, organised by the International Energy Agency (IEA).
She described the dearth of adequate infrastructure for cooking gas as the most daunting challenge to ramping up clean cooking across Africa.
“I believe that opportunity lies in the greatest challenge,” she stated, advocating more investment in this regard, through industry-led expansion programs, support from developed economies, and well-established public-private-partnerships, among others.
Biztellers reports that cooking gas, also known as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), is widely regarded as an efficient and clean-burning cooking fuel used by almost three billion people.
However, there is limited storage infrastructure to support the growing demand for LPG in Africa, making the region reliant on imports and shipping.
Isichei, who is also a senior management staff at WAGL Energy Limited (An NNPC Limited and Sahara Energy JV) said PPPs and alignment of LPG policies across the continent would further enhance access, affordability, and environmental sustainability.
She also called for more LPG advocacy platforms that would serve as a meeting point for governments, the private sector, and international organizations to give traction to global clean cooking solutions.
“I propose more public and private partnerships. A clear example would the partnership between Sahara Group and Petroci, the Côte d’Ivoire National Oil and Gas company towards the construction of 12,000MT LPG storage facilities in Côte d’Ivoire. All of this is being achieved with collaborations across the government and private sectors, with support from development agencies, WAGL and the NNPC,” she noted.
She stated that Sahara Group, through affiliations, provides access to LPG in Africa through its fleet of LPG vessels with combined capacity of 120,000cbm, whilst also working towards ramping up its LPG storage capacity to almost 100,000MT across Africa. Sahara Group’s LPG footprint also covers Asia, North and South America, she pointed out.
The CITAC estimates that by 2035 the demand for LPG in the Sub-Saharan region would almost triple, compared to current levels. According to the World Bank, regional economic blocs on the continent have set ambitious targets for LPG penetration and consumption to drive almost exclusive LPG deployment for cooking by 2030.
Isichei maintained that “To meet the growing demand, Africa would require sustainable investments in infrastructure to adequately cover import, bulk storage, transportation, filling facilities, LPG cylinders, seamless distribution, and retailing. Apart from providing a clean solution for cooking, this will help us advance towards a healthier Africa where currently, according to IEA estimates, wood and charcoal represent the primary cooking fuels of 1 billion people in Africa.”
She added that multi-stakeholder collaboration would also help improve awareness and LPG adoption as against biomass and kerosene and accelerate alignment of policies required to make LPG production, storage, transportation, and distribution seamless across Africa.
Key political figures drawn from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) have been over the moon with news of Nigeria being selected to host the headquarters of the African Energy Bank.
Notable figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri have vented their joy through their verified social media handles, including micro-blogging site, X.
Lokpobiri in statement on Thursday 4 June, 2024, declared, “I am delighted to share that Nigeria has been selected to host the headquarters of the African Energy Bank! This prestigious honor is a testament to our country’s leadership and commitment in the energy sector.
“As the Minister for Petroleum Resources[Oil], I am incredibly proud of this achievement. The African Energy Bank will be a cornerstone for financing and advancing energy projects across Africa, promoting innovation, sustainability, and economic growth.
“This is a remarkable victory for Nigeria and the entire African continent. It symbolizes our collective efforts to harness and develop our rich energy resources for a brighter, more sustainable future.
“Thank you to everyone who made this possible. Together, we are shaping the future of energy in Africa, starting right here in Nigeria!”
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has reported that Nigerians annually spend N16.5 trillion on fuel and generator servicing.
Adelabu disclosed this information on Tuesday at the ongoing NOG Energy Week in Abuja.
The Minister attributed his claim to 2023 research but did not provide specifics, instead comparing the figure to the 225% increase in electricity tariffs implemented on April 3, 2024.
Adelabu also highlighted significant foreign investments exceeding $1 billion in renewable energy sources.
He said “What Nigerians spend on self-generation of power—on fueling and servicing their generators—is N16.5 trillion, according to research that was carried out in 2023.
“Looking at this, you will see that what Band A customers pay is still cheaper compared to this, despite having 24-hour uninterrupted supply.
“over $1 billion in investments have been placed into renewable energy sources by foreign lenders and institutions.”
He added that his ministry, guided and supported by President Tinubu, is making significant progress in energy and gas developments.
. . . Launches Probe Into Incident, Vows To Deal With Culprits
The attention of NNPC Retail Limited has been drawn to a recent video clip making rounds on social media (X to be precise) concerning a fuel pump attendant in one of the NNPC filling stations.
In the said video, customers were coerced to purchase lubricants or engine oil as a prerequisite for purchasing or dispensing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol. Still in the video, the attendant alleged that this was a directive from the NNPC Retail’s Management.
The NNPC Retail wishes to state unequivocally that the allegation is entirely false and does not represent the company’s customer service charter.
It declared in a statement, :At all NNPC Retail filling stations, customers are not obligated to purchase lubricants or engine oil or other products as a precursor to buying PMS (petrol).”
On the incident, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, Huub Stokman, said, “We are dedicated to providing clear, transparent and quality service to all our customers, guaranteeing that their needs are met without any recourse to unnecessary and unscrupulous conditionalities.”
The public is hereby advised to disregard the information in its entirety and report any such occurrences to the appropriate authority, the statement added.
It was gathered that the NNPC Retail Limited has launched an investigation into the unfortunate incident and assured that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against the culprit(s).
Nationwide Protest Looms As Nigerians Call For Tinubu’s Resignation
Uproar As Angry Nigerians Ignites ‘#TinubuMustGo’ On Social Media
Judiciary Under Fire After Reinstating Pro-Wike Lawmakers
LP Drops, Regrets Naming Mike Igini In Electoral Reform Committee
Nigeria Secures Bid To Host African Energy Bank Headquarters
Shuaibu Applauds Downfall Of Edo PDP
Sahara’s Tonye Cole resigns from GPHCDA
Oando opens ultra-modern petrol station in Lagos
Niger Delta Avengers: President Buhari Reads riot Act …considers the carrot and stick option
Adeosun: We are investing in infrastructure to grow the private sector
Shell launches Nigeria campaign on energy efficiency
