Energy
Nigeria @62: We’re proud of our contributions to Nigeria’s devt – Chevron
Chevron Nigeria Limited, CNL, has said that it is proud of its partnership and contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
The company disclosed this in a goodwill message by the Manager, Communications, Victor Chimaobi Anyaegbudike, to felicitate with Nigerians as the country marked its 62nd independence anniversary on Saturday.
According to the statement, Chevron has learnt through decades of operating in Nigeria that business success in providing affordable, reliable, ever-cleaner energy was directly tied to the progress and prosperity of the people.
The statement read: “It is for this reason that we have continued to demonstrate our commitment to building mutually beneficial partnerships and supporting the Federal Government’s Nigerian Content Development (NCD) policy aimed at building indigenous capacity in the nation’s oil and gas industry.
“Chevron companies in Nigeria are at the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s ideals of NCD. The overall objective of Chevron’s Nigerian Content (NC) Strategy is to encourage the participation of Nigerian companies in the oil and gas industry through the deliberate creation of business opportunities for Nigerian service providers and suppliers.
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“Our policy is driven by the vision to be recognized as the energy company that works best to foster competence and competitiveness among Nigerian indigenous contractors and suppliers, by adopting the participatory-partnership model.”
The company said it has implemented strategies for training, capacity building, and employment of Nigerians, as well as the provision of contracts and procurement opportunities to Nigerians on all projects in its operations.
“We consistently demonstrate our commitment to empowering community contractors, service providers, and suppliers through developing human and institutional capacity, creating local jobs, developing, and sourcing from local suppliers, employing local workforce, promoting local patronage, and reserving work scopes to benefit local community contractors.”
The statement quoted Rick Kennedy, the Chairman/Managing Director of Chevron Nigeria, and Mid-Africa Business Unit, as saying: “We have helped in building the capacities of several Nigerian businesses by providing contracts and procurement opportunities to Nigerians on all projects in our operations. Chevron is also helping to grow the Nigerian economy by contributing to the development of communities in the areas of our operation. We do all this, not just because it is required by law, but because it is the right thing to do.
“Chevron is proud to be a part of Nigeria’s socio-economic development. We will continue to help build Nigerian businesses through the harnessing of its tremendous human resources and capacity; and support for Nigerian Content policy of the Federal Government”.
Meanwhile, CNL has in the last 10 years, spent an estimated annual average of $1 billion on Nigerian suppliers and service providers. Chevron provides technical support, support for asset acquisition, and facilitates collaboration on research and development for local community contractors.
Some of its contributions to improved participation of local contractors in the Nigerian oil and gas industry include the following:
- Chevron facilitated the first assembled-in-Nigeria Subsea Horizontal Christmas Tree and the fabrication in Nigeria of Agbami production manifolds for the Agbami Phase 3 Project by FMC Technologies Limited /Aveon Offshore Nigeria Limited.
- Chevron ensured the safe, timely and successful installation of subsea equipment like flexible flowlines, umbilicals, and jumpers by Marine Platforms Limited, a Nigerian contractor –. Chevron sponsored four Nigerian engineers for subsea engineering training in France, in partnership with NCDMB and Technip Offshore Nigeria Limited
- Chevron trained six young Nigerian Engineers in subsea engineering at the FMC facility, Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) Onne, Rivers State. In addition, five Nigerian Engineering graduates sponsored by Chevron, completed subsea training at Marine Platforms Limited in Port Harcourt.
- Chevron recently facilitated the fabrication and assembly of two complicated Single-Point Mooring (“SPM”) buoys structures weighing ~300 tons each by Fenog Nigeria Limited (“Fenog”), an indigenous independent engineering company. The SPM buoys, are critical components of the Escravos Export System Project (“EESP”) scope, required to improve reliability of current JV offshore crude oil export facilities.
- Chevron facilitated the fabrication and load out of offshore platform topsides and bridge connection for the Sonam Non-Associated Gas Well Platform (“NWP”) by Nigerdock Plc.; the fabrication and load-out of the Okan Pig Receiving Platform (PRP) topsides; bridge, fabrication of Okan PRP jacket by Globestar Company Limited, in partnership with Idmon Engineering and Construction Co. Limited; installation of 32km 24” Sonam to Okan NWP pipeline by West African Ventures Limited; and the coating of the pipes used for the Sonam Development Project and EESP by Pipe Coaters Nigeria Limited.
- The Okan GGCP Debottlenecking project completed final heavy lifts and achieved 1,000,000 Manhours with zero serious injuries or fatality in collaboration with a Nigerian company, Prime Sources Limited (PSL), and its subcontractor, Ariosh Limited
Furthermore, in pursuance of its low carbon reduction and sustainable zero waste goals, CNL partnered with Lafarge Cement PLC to conduct laboratory tests locally on the suitability of cement kiln co-processing technology for stream of stored wastes as well as to determine the health and safety risks, if any.
Based on the success of the tests, CNL awarded a short-term contract to Lafarge to manage stored secondary waste generated from CNL incinerators as additional raw material in cement kiln processing.
Also, Chevron’s accomplishments in human capital development include the training fourteen earth science graduates under the 12-month skills acquisition programme initiated by NCDMB.
It offered scholarships to Nigerian seamen for dynamic positioning training at PEM Offshore Limited, a marine training facility with a 5-year contract worth $1 million and collaborated with the NCDMB to assist over six hundred community graduates to register in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Joint Qualification System.
The company has also awarded a contract to a local consulting firm, Lonadek Nigeria Limited, to develop and pilot an industry-first capacity building initiative for drilling and completion professionals.
Energy
Minister of Power, Adelabu Champions Mini-Grids Amid Northern Power Crisis
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
Energy
Power Restored In Four Northern States After 10-Day Blackout
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.”
Energy
Nigerian Power Supply: FGN Nears PPI Completion
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.