Energy
Energy access is vital to peace and security – Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy
BANJUL – The Vice President of The Gambia, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, has said that availability and access to modern energy services is not only vital to reducing poverty in West Africa but also critical in maintaining peace and security.
She made the declaration while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the two-day 4th ERERA Forum on Wednesday, 20th November 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia. The Forum is being attended by some 150 participants including regulators, operators, power experts and consumers in the electricity sector
According to her, there can be no meaningful and sustainable development without adequate, reliable and sustainable energy, considering that the region is blessed with some of the richest energy resources including oil, gas, coal, large hydro and abundant sources of renewable energy.
The Vice President however lamented the fact that ECOWAS Member States have been “pursuing our individual national energy policies without exploring the benefits of economies of scale”.
As a founding member of ECOWAS, The Gambia, she said, has “always believed in the benefits of regional integration as the best way of efficiently and sustainably exploiting and managing our resources for the common good of all our citizens”.
She recalled joint regional projects between The Gambia and her neighbours, and said that when completed, they would improve electricity supply as well as greatly enhance the socio-economic development of the region and enhance the integration of Community citizens.
While noting a paradigm shift through the creation of such institutions as ERERA, the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), which has led to the implementation of various developmental projects in the region, the Vice President urged the ECOWAS Commission to continue in the development and implementation of more projects for the benefit of the people. In this regard, she called for the development of new renewable energy technologies in such projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Njie-Saidy who noted that electricity regulation was relatively new in the ECOWAS region, called on ERERA to help Member States build their capacity, noting that they had different levels of competence in regulation.
In his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadré Desiré Ouédraogo, described the performance in the power sector in Member States as unsatisfactory and unable to attract appreciable level of private investment despite the implementation of power sector reforms.
He recalled the many initiatives by ECOWAS to address the energy challenge, including the adoption of the 2003 regional Energy Protocol and the attendant actions undertaken resulting in the establishment of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority, the WAPP Secretariat, ECREEE and ERERA.
The President – represented by his Special Representative to Cote d’Ivoire, Ambassador Jonathan Oluwole Coker – noted ERERA’s contribution in the implementation of the roadmap leading to the regional electricity market, the hallmark being the adoption of the Directive on the organization of the regional electricity market by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in June 2013.
He called on ECOWAS’ partners to continue assisting ERERA in the discharge of its mandate and support it in the implementation of its strategic objectives.
“ECOWAS desires that regional regulation should help to improve governance by supporting the liberalization of exchanges and by promoting respect of contracts and sectoral standards by all partners”, the President stated.
Also addressing the participants, the Chairman of ERERA, El Hadj Ibrahima Thiam, enumerated the major activities of the Institution since its operationalization in 2010. While stating that energy is an important engine of economic growth, he described access to electricity as an essential catalyst for social development.
Furthermore, he stated that regulation is fundamental to the development of the electricity market in West Africa, adding that efficient regulation is critical to the optimal functioning of the electricity market.
He said the annual ERERA Forum is in response to the strong need for a permanent platform for dialogue among stakeholders towards the creation of favourable conditions for the mobilization of human and financial resources necessary for the development of infrastructure for the production and transportation of electricity.
El Hadj Thiam expressed confidence that the exchange of ideas at the Forum would lead to pertinent recommendations towards new levels of the flow of efficient and sustainable regional electricity.
In her statement, the Minister of Energy of The Gambia, Mrs. Teneng Mba Jaiteh, argued that the provision of electricity should no longer be considered the sole responsibility of governments due to the huge investments required and the limited and competitive nature of donor funds.
She said the private sector should be encouraged to invest in the energy sub-sector through the development of the right policy, legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as the visibility of efficient and financially viable power utility companies.
As generation of electricity increasingly becomes a private sector activity, utility companies can focus on enhancing and improving transmission and distribution networks and sale of electricity to consumers, Mrs. Jaiteh said.
According to her, it would make ERERA’s role even more critical in ensuring that regional trade in energy and electricity services is facilitated and encouraged. It would also require the development of trans-border infrastructure; that is, transmission networks inter-connecting countries in the region and the creation of grid codes, she added.
Similarly, the minister said it would reveal the vital role of national regulatory authorities in ensuring a level-playing field for investors, distributors and consumers.
Participants at the 4th ERERA Forum being hosted by The Gambia are to examine the place, roles and responsibilities of ERERA and the national regulators in speeding up the establishment of a regional electricity market in West Africa through the theme, ‘Fast-tracking the regional electricity market: the regulatory issues’.
BANJUL – The Vice President of The Gambia, Dr. Isatou Njie-Saidy, has said that availability and access to modern energy services is not only vital to reducing poverty in West Africa but also critical in maintaining peace and security.
She made the declaration while delivering the keynote address at the opening of the two-day 4th ERERA Forum on Wednesday, 20th November 2013 in Banjul, The Gambia. The Forum is being attended by some 150 participants including regulators, operators, power experts and consumers in the electricity sector
According to her, there can be no meaningful and sustainable development without adequate, reliable and sustainable energy, considering that the region is blessed with some of the richest energy resources including oil, gas, coal, large hydro and abundant sources of renewable energy.
The Vice President however lamented the fact that ECOWAS Member States have been “pursuing our individual national energy policies without exploring the benefits of economies of scale”.
As a founding member of ECOWAS, The Gambia, she said, has “always believed in the benefits of regional integration as the best way of efficiently and sustainably exploiting and managing our resources for the common good of all our citizens”.
She recalled joint regional projects between The Gambia and her neighbours, and said that when completed, they would improve electricity supply as well as greatly enhance the socio-economic development of the region and enhance the integration of Community citizens.
While noting a paradigm shift through the creation of such institutions as ERERA, the West African Power Pool (WAPP) and the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), which has led to the implementation of various developmental projects in the region, the Vice President urged the ECOWAS Commission to continue in the development and implementation of more projects for the benefit of the people. In this regard, she called for the development of new renewable energy technologies in such projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Dr. Njie-Saidy who noted that electricity regulation was relatively new in the ECOWAS region, called on ERERA to help Member States build their capacity, noting that they had different levels of competence in regulation.
In his remarks, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadré Desiré Ouédraogo, described the performance in the power sector in Member States as unsatisfactory and unable to attract appreciable level of private investment despite the implementation of power sector reforms.
He recalled the many initiatives by ECOWAS to address the energy challenge, including the adoption of the 2003 regional Energy Protocol and the attendant actions undertaken resulting in the establishment of the West African Gas Pipeline Authority, the WAPP Secretariat, ECREEE and ERERA.
The President – represented by his Special Representative to Cote d’Ivoire, Ambassador Jonathan Oluwole Coker – noted ERERA’s contribution in the implementation of the roadmap leading to the regional electricity market, the hallmark being the adoption of the Directive on the organization of the regional electricity market by the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in June 2013.
He called on ECOWAS’ partners to continue assisting ERERA in the discharge of its mandate and support it in the implementation of its strategic objectives.
“ECOWAS desires that regional regulation should help to improve governance by supporting the liberalization of exchanges and by promoting respect of contracts and sectoral standards by all partners”, the President stated.
Also addressing the participants, the Chairman of ERERA, El Hadj Ibrahima Thiam, enumerated the major activities of the Institution since its operationalization in 2010. While stating that energy is an important engine of economic growth, he described access to electricity as an essential catalyst for social development.
Furthermore, he stated that regulation is fundamental to the development of the electricity market in West Africa, adding that efficient regulation is critical to the optimal functioning of the electricity market.
He said the annual ERERA Forum is in response to the strong need for a permanent platform for dialogue among stakeholders towards the creation of favourable conditions for the mobilization of human and financial resources necessary for the development of infrastructure for the production and transportation of electricity.
El Hadj Thiam expressed confidence that the exchange of ideas at the Forum would lead to pertinent recommendations towards new levels of the flow of efficient and sustainable regional electricity.
In her statement, the Minister of Energy of The Gambia, Mrs. Teneng Mba Jaiteh, argued that the provision of electricity should no longer be considered the sole responsibility of governments due to the huge investments required and the limited and competitive nature of donor funds.
She said the private sector should be encouraged to invest in the energy sub-sector through the development of the right policy, legal and regulatory frameworks, as well as the visibility of efficient and financially viable power utility companies.
As generation of electricity increasingly becomes a private sector activity, utility companies can focus on enhancing and improving transmission and distribution networks and sale of electricity to consumers, Mrs. Jaiteh said.
According to her, it would make ERERA’s role even more critical in ensuring that regional trade in energy and electricity services is facilitated and encouraged. It would also require the development of trans-border infrastructure; that is, transmission networks inter-connecting countries in the region and the creation of grid codes, she added.
Similarly, the minister said it would reveal the vital role of national regulatory authorities in ensuring a level-playing field for investors, distributors and consumers.
Participants at the 4th ERERA Forum being hosted by The Gambia are to examine the place, roles and responsibilities of ERERA and the national regulators in speeding up the establishment of a regional electricity market in West Africa through the theme, ‘Fast-tracking the regional electricity market: the regulatory issues’.
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.”
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.
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.
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