Energy
Liberia, US to partner on energy, agriculture
WASHINGTON – The United States and Liberia have pledged to strengthen cooperation in energy and agriculture as the West African country continues its decade-long recovery from civil war.
Speaking at the end of the US-Liberia Partnership Dialogue in Washington, US Under Secretary of State Wendy Sherman said the two countries have a relationship deeply rooted in historical ties and a “shared commitment to democracy, human rights and economic advancement.”
According to her, the first session of the dialogue focused on spurring growth in Liberia’s agriculture and energy sectors, looking at ways private companies can be brought in to play a key role.
The next session of the talks is planned for Monrovia, Liberia, within a year and will focus on human development, she said.
Liberian Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan said Liberia has come a long way in recovering from the 14-year civil war that ended in 2003, but still has a long way to go.
“The distance we have traveled thus far in addressing the challenges we have inherited as a government pales in magnitude when compared to the distance we still have to travel,” he said.
The U.S.-Liberia Partnership Dialogue was announced in January to provide sustained U.S. technical and financial assistance to help Liberia to continue to mend.
During its decade of peace, Liberia has held presidential and general elections, improved its social services and infrastructure, and protected human rights. Liberia now ranks among the 10 fastest-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa, but the nation is still burdened by high unemployment and malnutrition.
According to the International Food Policy Research Institute, Liberia’s food situation is “serious” despite the fact that “the country is blessed with a climate favorable to agriculture, extensive biodiversity, and vast natural resources.”
Sherman said dialogue participants discussed how to bring private investment into Liberia’s agriculture sector. The Feed the Future initiative is a key element in strengthening Liberia’s food security and nutrition, she added.
Feed the Future is a U.S. global hunger and food security initiative that addresses the root causes of hunger and poverty. The initiative focuses on smallholder farmers, particularly women. The initiative seeks to engage multilateral organizations, nonprofit groups and the private sector to accelerate agricultural growth.
Regarding energy and power, Sherman said the participants discussed ways to encourage private companies to invest in power generation, transmission and distribution. She said improving regulatory policies is a key to that process.
Liberian Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy Patrick Sendolo said an energy infrastructure is needed to attract investment by commercial agriculture businesses.
“We have a population that has been patient. They have been resilient. They want to see their children go to better schools and have better access to health care,” Liberia’s Finance Minister Amara Konneh said.
He echoed the assessment of other participants that the private sector will have a big role to play in Liberia’s development.
Liberia’s long-term development goal is to become a “middle income” country by 2030.
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.