Energy
National Honours: Wabote Lauds Sylva for Transforming Oil & Gas industry
By Paul Eso
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), has lauded the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, on the national honour of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) conferred on him by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.
In a statement he personally signed, the Executive Secretary noted that Sylva who was appointed in 2019 was fully deserving of the honour having worked tirelessly to change the Nigerian oil and gas landscape and recorded several accomplishments, which had improved the economy of the nation.
He listed some of the notable achievements of the Minister to include working with the National Assembly for the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which was signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari on August 16, 2021, to become the Petroleum Industry Act (2021); the initiation and launching of the Decade of Gas Initiative in 2020 and the National Gas Expansion Program (NGEP), which is aimed at improving domestic LPG consumption and deepening the use of alternative fuels such as CNG for vehicular use.
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He added that the NGEP promotes the use of cleaner and cheaper fuels and ensures that the impact of subsidy removal from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is minimal.
Other achievements of the minister included improving the harmonized data reporting to Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and provision of comprehensive technical support for Nigeria’s representation at OPEC and ensuring that the Federal Government took the Final Investment Decision (FID) that led to the development of the $7bn NLNG Train 7 project and championing Africa’s position for a multi-dimensional approach to energy transition using gas as a transition fuel.
The Minister also championed the removal of fuel subsidy so that the proceeds could be channeled towards national development, championing the rehabilitation of the three refineries in Nigeria: Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna to guarantee in-country refining and petroleum products sufficiency in the country and leading the drive for the distribution of Covid-19 palliatives by the oil and gas sector to states and institutions during the Covid lockdown in the country.
Wabote listed other accomplishments of the Minister to include pushing for the resuscitation of the Brass LNG project abandoned over 17 years ago by sourcing for new investors, launching the Nigerian Gas Transportation Network Code (NGTNC) program. The code ensures fair and non-discriminatory open access to the gas transmission network systems in order to promote competitiveness and drive economic growth.
He added that the Minister conceived the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialization Program (NGFCP) to support Nigeria’s effort to achieve zero routine flaring by taking gas at flare and auctioning same to third parties for commercialization in order to eliminate environmental pollution and worked for the progressive increase in national gas reserve position to the current 206.53 trillion cubic feet (TCF) to support government’s gas revolution and expansion programs and worked to ensure the completion of the NCDMB 17- storey headquarters building in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
He also credited the Minister with actively working with NCDMB to ensure the establishment of modular refineries in the Niger Delta, actively working with NCDMB for the establishment of Oil and Gas Industrial parks in some oil producing states in the country, working with NCDMB to establish LPG Distribution centers in 10 Northern States of the country, as part of the Nigeria Gas Expansion program and serving as chairman of the African Petroleum Producers Orgaisation (APPO) and ensuring the revitalization of the organization to better position African oil producing countries.
In the wake of a prolonged power crisis impacting Northern Nigeria, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu visited the Zawaciki 1MWp mini-grid project in Kano, underscoring the potential of decentralized renewable energy solutions to alleviate regional power shortages.
The project, operated by Bagaja Renewables, provides daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, offering a vital source of power as the region faces widespread blackouts.
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Sadiq Zakari, Managing Director of Bagaja Renewables, welcomed the Minister to the facility and highlighted the critical timing of the visit.
“Bagaja Renewables had the distinct honor of welcoming the Honorable Minister of Power to the Zawaciki 1MWp interconnected mini-grid,” Zakari said.
“This visit comes at a critical time, as Northern Nigeria endures a prolonged blackout, underscoring the urgent need for alternative power solutions.
The Zawaciki mini-grid has been instrumental during this crisis, providing at least 9 hours of daytime electricity to the Gida Dubu community, demonstrating the potential of renewable energy in addressing the region’s energy needs.”
Minister Adelabu praised the Zawaciki project as a model for interconnected mini-grids nationwide, noting its role as a sustainable solution for communities grappling with unreliable power supply.
“The Honorable Minister expressed admiration for the Zawaciki project, recognizing it as a viable proof of concept for interconnected mini-grids across Nigeria,” Zakari stated.
“He emphasized the importance of such initiatives and called on state governors and other key stakeholders to support efforts to decentralize and strengthen the nation’s power infrastructure.
By backing projects like Zawaciki, stakeholders can play an instrumental role in reducing reliance on the national grid and ensuring a more stable power supply for local communities.”
Zakari underscored the transformative potential of private-sector renewable energy projects in Nigeria’s power landscape.
He said, “As we have witnessed here at Zawaciki, private-sector-driven renewable energy solutions can transform Nigeria’s energy landscape. With the right policies and support, we can empower communities and enhance energy resilience, even in times of national power instability.”
In addition to the Zawaciki project, Bagaja Renewables is developing several renewable energy initiatives across Northern Nigeria. Among these are:
Barhim Estate, Katsina: A residential power initiative aimed at expanding energy access for households in the region.
Kura-Karfi Commercial Cluster, Kano: Focused on delivering clean and reliable power to commercial areas, this project aims to support local businesses and stimulate economic growth.
Kafin Hausa, Jigawa: With site fencing completed, Bagaja Renewables is preparing to begin technical design and engineering work for a mini-grid in Kafin Hausa, slated to start construction soon.
Zakari said, “These projects represent Bagaja Renewables’ unwavering commitment to building a resilient, decentralized, and renewable-powered energy future across Northern Nigeria.
“Bagaja Renewables is dedicated to collaborating with the government and stakeholders to scale up renewable energy solutions that will support communities, industries, and essential services.
“We believe that decentralized power generation is the future for Nigeria, and we are eager to contribute to a sustainable, reliable, and inclusive energy system for all.” he added
Power has been restored across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Benue States, bringing relief to residents who endured a 10-day blackout.
The Jos Electricity Distribution Company confirmed that electricity was reinstated around 7:20 p.m. on Wednesday, prompting celebrations in Jos, the Plateau State capital, and other affected areas.
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The prolonged outage was caused by the tripping of a major 330kV transmission line between Benue and Enugu states, leaving several northern states without power.
The blackout severely impacted daily life and economic activities, with residents expressing frustration over the disruption to businesses, healthcare services, and personal livelihoods.
In response, President Bola Tinubu took swift action, summoning Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu to address the crisis.
Presidential Adviser Bayo Onanuga disclosed on Monday that President Tinubu directed the Ministry of Power and relevant agencies to expedite restoration efforts.
“President Tinubu is deeply concerned about the reports of vandalism and deliberate destruction of essential power infrastructure,” Onanuga said in a statement.
“The President has tasked TCN engineers with bringing immediate relief to the affected states and implementing a long-term solution to prevent future outages.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria Power Company (FGN Power Company) has announced significant progress in the pilot phase of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), which is set to revolutionize the nation’s electricity transmission landscape.
The initiative, in partnership with Siemens, aims to enhance the country’s power infrastructure through the deployment of advanced technology and equipment.
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Kenny Anuwe, the Managing Director and CEO of FGN Power Company, revealed that the installation and commissioning of eight power transformers across key locations are now complete.
The transformers have been successfully deployed in Ajah, Maryland, Apo, Okene, Ihovbor, Amukpe, Potiskum, and Birnin Kebbi, resulting in a notable increase in the transmission wheeling capacity by 569.6 megawatts (MW).
In addition to the transformers, three mobile substations are operational in Ajah, Jebba, and Kawnar Dangora, further boosting the transmission capacity by an additional 151.2 MW.
Anuwe emphasized that these enhancements are pivotal in addressing the energy needs of the country and supporting economic growth.
Looking ahead, Anuwe stated that the transmission network will be augmented by an impressive 720.8 MW, with plans to commission the remaining equipment to deliver at least another 500 MW by the end of 2024.
This strategic initiative is expected to significantly improve power distribution and reliability, marking a transformative step towards a more robust energy sector in Nigeria.
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