Energy
AfDB gathers partners in Tunis to advance Sustainable Energy for All in Africa
TUNIS – The African Development Bank as host of the Sustainable Energy for All Africa Hub organized a two-day workshop in Tunis with representatives of partner institutions.
The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Global Facilitation Team headed by Kandeh Yumkella, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on SE4ALL. Since its launch, more than 80 Governments from around the world have formally engaged with the initiative, with 42 African countries “opted-in”.
The workshop was attended by the SE4All Africa Hub partners: the African Union Commission (AUC), the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), as well as by representatives of the European Commission, World Bank, European Investment Bank (EIB), United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), UN Foundation, Kreditanstalt fuer Wiederaufbau (KfW), the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), Eskom, the ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the Ghana Energy Commission, amongst others.
The workshop was successful in agreeing on a common framework and methodology to move SE4ALL forward at country-level, notably the development of SE4ALL Action Agendas and Investment Prospectuses that will provide a tool for mobilizing public and, in particular, private sector investments in the energy sector. The workshop participants also agreed on a tentative list of around 10 African countries on which efforts will focus in 2014.
During the workshop, Kandeh Yumkella met with AfDB President Donald Kaberuka, who is also an SE4ALL Advisory Board Member, and praised the work of the Bank as host of the SE4All Africa Hub. Donald Kaberuka said that the Bank considers it critical for the success of SE4ALL to be able to relatively quickly demonstrate concrete progress at the country level. The Bank will support a number of African countries with developing SE4ALL Action Agendas. In addition, the Bank stands ready to mobilize its full range of financing instruments to advance the SE4ALL agenda and to leverage additional investments notably from the private sector.
This workshop followed the 2nd Advisory Board meeting of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) Initiative held in New York on November 26-27, 2013. It demonstrated both the momentum of the initiative and the opportunities that the initiative presents for Africa.
About SE4All Africa Hub: The UN Secretary General’s Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) initiative was launched in September 2011 with the aim of achieving three main goals by 2030: (i) ensuring universal access to modern energy services; (ii) doubling the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency; and (iii) doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The African Development Bank is at the forefront of the implementation of the SE4ALL Initiative and hosts the SE4ALL Africa Hub since May 2013 in partnership with the African Union Commission and the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency and with the support of UNDP. The mission of the SE4ALL Africa Hub is to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of the SE4ALL initiative on the African continent. The Hub will promote African ownership, inclusiveness and a comprehensive approach to the initiative’s implementation.
Energy
Dangote Partnership: MRS Urges Nigerians To Insist On N935/Litre Petrol Price Nationwide
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, a prominent player in the Nigerian downstream oil industry, has implemented a new petrol price of N935 per litre across all its retail service stations nationwide.
The company has also called on Nigerians to monitor and report any outlets that fail to adhere to the new price structure.
Biztellers reports that this is consequent upon an announcement by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, following a reduction in the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
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It was gathered that MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has instructed all its outlets to implement the new price immediately, setting up a digital platform and monitoring team to ensure full compliance.
In a statement on Monday night, the company declared, “Petrol is now being sold at N935 at MRS Filling Stations nationwide. If you find any station not following this price, please report it. Call 08009447853 or email: NG-FMKPMGWHISTLEBLOWING@NG.KPMG.COM”
Emphasising the eco-friendly nature of its products, MRS Oil added, “We call on all petrol station owners to join MRS Oil Nigeria Plc in improving the supply chain of our beloved country, ensuring product quality and availability in every corner of Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
In Lagos, commuters were seen queuing at MRS filling stations to purchase petrol, with many expressing their gratitude to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil and Gas, urging other marketers to support the indigenous refinery rather than import off-spec products into the country.
A commuter at the MRS station at Alapere on the Lagos Ibadan Express way, Ibukun Phillips, could not hide her joy as her husband filled up their car.
“I am very happy today. This is a victory for Nigeria,” she said. “The price reduction is the best gift of the season. But beyond just the reduction, we are buying standard, eco-friendly petrol at a lower rate. My husband and I have decided we will only be using MRS from now on because we are confident in the quality of the product and supporting the economy.”
A commercial bus driver, Adio Ajibade described the price reduction as a great relief, especially during the festive season.
“The reduction is a great relief. It will reduce transportation costs and benefit Nigerians. God will continue to bless Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” he said.
A public affairs analyst and university lecturer, Dr. Tunde Akanni, said the collaboration between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil represents a significant step towards improving the affordability, quality, and sustainability of petroleum products in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Akanni, “this move will not only help ease the financial burden on Nigerians but also promote a more environmentally conscious approach to fuel consumption, benefitting both the economy and public health in the long term.”
Energy
FDI: Shell To Invest Billions Of Dollars On Nigeria’s Bonga North Oil Field
As a direct implication of the Federal Government’s Foreign Direct Investment drive, the Royal Dutch Shell has completed the final investment decision on the deep offshore Bonga North project in Nigeria.
Biztellers reports that the Bonga North will be a subsea tie-back to the Shell-operated Bonga Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility which Shell operates with a 55% interest.
Shell’s Integrated Gas and Upstream Director, Zoë Yujnovich, said, “This is another significant investment, which will help us to maintain stable liquids production from our advantaged Upstream portfolio”.
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It was gathered that the Bonga North project involves drilling, completing, and starting up 16 wells (8 production and 8 water injection wells), modifications to the existing Bonga Main FPSO and the installation of new subsea hardware tied back to the FPSO.
The company is optimistic that the project will sustain oil and gas production at the Bonga facility.
The Bonga North currently has an estimated recoverable resource volume of more than 300 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe) and will reach a peak production of 110,000 barrels of oil a day, with first oil anticipated by the end of the decade.
In addition, the Bonga North will help ensure Shell’s leading Integrated Gas and Upstream business continues to drive cash generation into the next decade.
Energy
Chevron Nigeria Bags ‘Energy Company Of The Year For Environmental Sustainability And CSR
Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has received an award as “Energy company of the year (2024)” for its Environmental Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility accomplishments.
The award presented by the Nigerian News Direct newspaper, on Friday December 6, 2024, and was received by Manager Communications, Chevron Nigeria and Mid-Africa Business Unit, Victor Anyaegbudike, at a colourful event at the Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
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The organizers of the award noted that Chevron has implemented the “Protecting People and the Environment” policy, which aims at preventing injuries, illnesses, and environmental incidents. They also referenced that the company has achieved 97% gas flaring reduction in its operations in Nigeria, while implementing waste management and environmental conservation programs.
According to the media organization, Chevron Nigeria has also invested millions of dollars in community development programs, supporting education, health and economic development initiatives that have benefited thousands of people, while ensuring diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement in its business operations.
Receiving the award from the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, Anyaegbudike thanked the organizers for the honour, and reiterated Chevron’s commitment to continue to develop, affordable, reliable and ever-cleaner energy that enables human progress around the world.