Energy
Earnest Nwapa bows out as Kentebe takes over NCDMB
By Yemie ADEOYE
Houston TX-FOLLOWING the sack of the Pioneer Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, Engr. Earnest Nwapa by Nigeria’s outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan a few weeks to his hand-over, The newly appointed Executive Secretary of the Board Arch. Denzil Amagbe Kentebe formally took over the mantle of office with a promise to deepen the implementation process and break new grounds in the attainment of Nigerian Content goals.
Speaking at the handover ceremony held at the Board’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Arch Kentebe assured stakeholders of the industry that the tempo of Nigerian Content implementation would be sustained and improved upon to derive more benefits for Nigerians from the operations of the oil and gas industry.
The Executive Secretary who thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for the appointment, which affords him the opportunity to serve Nigeria, affirmed that he was passionate about his new assignment and charged staff of the Board adopt the highest levels of passion, responsibility to Nigerians and zero tolerance for corruption in the discharge their duties. He stressed that passion was the key ingredient needed to implement the provisions of the Nigerian Content Act and meet the expectations of Nigerians.
He said, “I have a lot of passion for what I am about to begin and for us to move forward as a country we need to believe in ourselves and we need to develop the capacity to do things that we would export to the world.”
He commended the pioneer Executive Secretary and staff of the Board for the achievements they recorded in implementing the Nigerian Content Act in the first five years of the Board and promised that his leadership would work to improve on the accomplishments. According to him, “I have followed NCDMB for a while and what we are doing today is not to fix something but to build on what was started off on a wonderful manner. We are going to build on that foundation and I appeal for everyone’s cooperation.”
Earlier in his valedictory speech, Dr. Ernest Nwapa thanked President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani Alison-Madueke for opportunity that gave him to lead NCDMB and the unflinching support they provided for the implementation process.
He charged stakeholders of the industry to support the new leadership of the Board, assuring that Nigerians Content implementation had become institutionalized as a philosophy of industry operations, adding that provisions of the Nigerian Content Act and guidelines issued by the Board would continue to protect and give advantage to investments made in-country in support of the industry.
“The provisions of the Nigerians Content Act are very clear to the industry. Anybody doing a project or any operations in the oil and gas industry today asks questions about Nigerian Content and that is something we all should be proud of. All we need to do is to continue building on the achievements.
Nwapa who gave a brief summary of the Board’s operations and major initiatives assured that staff of the Board were highly skilled and professional, charging them to cooperate with his successor to realize the mandate of the Board. He explained that the change in leadership of the Board provided an opportunity to reinvigorate and explore new strategies for strengthening the implementation process. “It is the duty of the staff to support the new leader and the management team that he would set up. Change provides additional opportunity” he added.
The event ended with the symbolic signing and exchange of handover notes between the pioneer Executive Secretary and his successor.
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.
ALSO READ: Dangote Slashes PMS Price To N899.50k
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”.
ALSO READ: OGUNCCIMA Commends Dangote Refinery’s Impact
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.
ALSO READ: Stakeholders Hail NCDMB As Local Content Level Hits 56%
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.