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NCDMB to Sanction Companies for Non-compliance with HCD Guidelines

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NCDMB to Sanction Companies for Non-compliance with HCD Guidelines

Modupe ASUDO

ABUJA-THE Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board says it will sanction companies that default or fail to comply with the Human Capacity Development provisions contained in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.

The Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Wabote made this known on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the second edition of the Virtual Stakeholders workshop for Human Capacity Development in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry.

Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote: Five Years of Impact at NCDMB

Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Engr Simbi Kesiye Wabote

Speaking on the topic, Human Capacity Development: The Pillar for Nigeria’s industrialization, the NCDMB chieftain warned that the Board would enforce periodic forensic audit for HCD programmes and companies found violating the NOGICD Act 2010 and the Ministerial Regulations in executing cost intensive Capacity Development Initiatives as mandated by the Act would be sanctioned.

He said: “it has come to the attention of the Board that some operating companies and services companies are reluctant to implement the HCD programmes as directed by the Board. Most of the companies are testing the mettle of the Board and I want to use this opportunity to inform erring companies that the Board will meet appropriate sanctions to them as prescribed by the Act”.

He added that the Board is mandated to ensure that the industry derives maximum benefits from huge investments and also ensure beneficiaries of the HCD training programmes find gainful employment in the industry.

Stressing on the importance of human capacity development, Wabote said,”with the rapid advancement in technologies used in the oil and gas industry, our industry will continue to be manned by foreigners and expats, if we do not keep pace with the spate of technological development by developing the human capabilities required for the challenges of modern industrial technologies. It is with a view to developing the Nigerian workforce capable of leading and advancing technological developments in the oil and Gas industry and supporting the attainment of Nigerian local Content aspirations that the proponents of the NOGICD Act deemed it necessary to include clauses that mandate Employment and Training in the Act.”

Wabote commended the efforts of some operating companies and services companies that comply with the directives of the Board, noting that the future of the industry will be at risk without adequate investment in Human Capacity Development. He reiterated that Nigeria is leading Africa on Human Capacity Development in the oil and Gas industry.

“I can proudly say that we have the skilled workforce to lead and sustain the development of oil fields in Africa for the foreseeable future. All the major and serious oil and gas operating and service companies have Nigerians in very senior leadership positions and we are beginning to export our workforce across the world”, he added.

The Nigerian Content Boss further revealed that that the Board has trained over 13,000 workforce in different skill areas and over 5,000 are gainfully employed in the industry. He mentioned that various capacity development initiatives have been executed by the Board including upgrading and commissioned dilapidated facilities in vocational and tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers States; trained the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teachers in secondary schools and promoted Technical vocational Educational Systems (TVETS) policy across the country and equipping them with modern tools and machines and completed the ultra-modern vocational centre of excellence which was initiated by the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) in Port Harcourt;

This year’s edition of the Human Capital Development (HCD) Workshop is aimed at Revamping Training and Development in the Oil and Gas industry in a post COVID-19 world while raising compliance with the new HCD Learning & Development Plan. It also seeks to improve “employability” of trainees as well as adopt technology to accelerate the quality and speed of training development.

 

Energy

Nigeria’s Gas Output Increases By 2.9%, Reaching 2.29 MSCF

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Amid a slight increase in gas production, Nigeria’s oil output experienced a substantial rise in November 2024.

Gas production saw a 2.9% month-on-month (MoM) increase, reaching 2,292,951 million standard cubic feet (MSCF) from 2,292,471 MSCF in October.

However, on a year-on-year (YoY) basis, the growth was minimal, with a mere 0.02% increase in output for the first 11 months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

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The latest gas report from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) also revealed a 1.6% increase in domestic gas consumption.

A total of 606,658 MSCF was consumed locally, compared to 596,861 MSCF during the same period in 2023. Gas exports, meanwhile, rose by 6.9%, reaching 829,156 MSCF, up from 775,547 MSCF in the corresponding period of 2023.

This growth in exports continues to play a vital role in bolstering Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.

Despite these positive figures, sources close to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas) noted that oil remains the dominant force in Nigeria’s energy sector, with gas taking a secondary role.

On the other hand, the NUPRC’s oil production report revealed a remarkable surge.

Nigeria’s oil output, including condensates, rose by 13.3% year-on-year in November 2024, reaching 1.7 million barrels per day (bpd), up from 1.5 million bpd in November 2023. Month-on-month, oil production also increased by 10%, from 1.5 million bpd in October 2024.

Dr. Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), discussed the broader structural dynamics within Nigeria’s economy, highlighting the dominance of the non-oil sector.

In his 2025 Outlook, Dr. Yusuf noted that the non-oil sector contributed 94.43% to Nigeria’s GDP in Q3 2024, while the oil sector accounted for just 5.57%.

“However, the economy is characterized by a paradox of the oil sector contributing an estimated 90% of foreign exchange earnings, while the non-oil sector accounts for about 10%,” Dr. Yusuf said.

“This is a structural shortcoming in our economy which needs to be addressed, as sectors that contribute hugely to GDP have no corresponding contribution to foreign exchange earnings.”

He further emphasized the need to address the challenges faced by the non-oil sector, which include issues related to productivity, infrastructure, funding, and regulatory constraints.

“The policy implication is that more should be done to fix the challenges of productivity and competitiveness of the non-oil sector of the economy,” Dr. Yusuf added

 

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Energy

JUST IN: NNPC Ltd Reopens Warri Refinery

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced that the 125,000-barrel-per-day Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) in Warri, Delta State, has become operational.

This is coming about a month after the commencement of operations at the 60,000-barrel-per-day-old Port Harcourt Refinery.

The Group Chief Executive Officer, NNPC Ltd, Mele Kyari, made the disclosure during a tour of the facility on Monday.

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A video posted by Channels TV on Monday showed Kyari addressing a tour team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed.

Before the tour commenced, Kyari explained that the inspection aimed to show Nigerians the level of work completed so far.

According to him, although the repairs on the facility are not yet 100 per cent complete, operations have commenced.

He said, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”

Located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji, Warri, the petrochemical plant produces 13,000 metric tonnes per annum (MTA) of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black.

Commissioned in 1978 and managed by NNPC Ltd, the WRPC was built to supply markets in the southern and southwestern regions of Nigeria.

The mechanical completion of the facility was initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, according to the Spokesperson of the NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye.

“Warri should be done by Q1 (first quarter) 2024,” Soneye stated.

The WRPC is one of Nigeria’s four refineries. Others include the old and new Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State.

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Energy

Dangote Partnership: MRS Urges Nigerians To Insist On N935/Litre Petrol Price Nationwide

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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.”

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