NEWS
NNPC Maps Out Gas-Driven Transformation For Nigeria’s Industries
Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd., announced plans to leverage Nigeria’s extensive gas resources to transform the country’s power and industrial domains.
This revelation took place at the NNPC Towers in Abuja during the signing of a Shareholders Agreement (SHA) between NNPC Ltd., UTM Offshore (a local company), and the Delta State GovernmentGovernment on Tuesday.
The agreement focuses on establishing Nigeria’s inaugural Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) facility.
Kyari said “In the next 2-3 years, we will use gas to bring about a revolution in our country. The outcomes will be clear on the table; there will be prosperity, and value will be created. Not just creating gas for export but progressing on all our initiatives of bringing gas into the domestic market.
“Our backbone infrastructures are almost ready to ensure we achieve that. Once that happens, we will see the immediate impact on the power sector, gas-based industries and several other collateral value that this will create.”
Kyari emphasized the urgency of the FLNG project, highlighting Nigeria’s substantial but underused gas resources.
He underscored the nation’s shift toward monetizing these resources for both national and global benefit.
Kyari further noted the alignment of the FLNG Project with the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas Initiative and the President’s objective to establish a gas hub, aiming for enhanced value and Nigeria’s rightful prosperity.
Expressing NNPC Ltd.’s dedication to the initiative, Kyari highlighted the unique position of the FLNG project, being the first of its kind where the company is actively involved with a vested equity interest.
He said “More than this, there are several Floating LNGs that we are promoting, including fixed LNG projects. We are happy to collaborate with the Delta State Government. We will take practical steps to get it done. We are committed to delivering this project in time, on schedule and in the best possible cost,”
Earlier, Mr. Julius Rone, the Group Managing Director of UTM Offshore Limited, hailed the execution of the SHA as a significant stride in realizing Nigeria’s inaugural indigenous FLNG project.
He expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his dedication to developing the nation’s gas resources, notably showcased during the COP28 Conference in Dubai.
At the conference, President Tinubu pledged to eliminate gas flaring entirely and utilize Nigeria’s gas as a transition fuel, aligning with global efforts for cleaner energy and reducing methane emissions in oil and gas operations.
Rone also praised the GCEO of NNPC Ltd for his leadership and commitment in ensuring the development of Nigeria’s gas resources in accordance with the provisions outlined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State highlighted the state’s significant stake in Nigeria’s gas reserves, amounting to 40%.
He explained that the decision to hold an 8% equity in the FLNG project stemmed from their firm belief in its pivotal role in the national economy.
In addition to generating over 300,000 metric tonnes of LPG (cooking gas) specifically for the domestic market, the Governor emphasized the project’s wider benefits.
He noted that the FLNG initiative would aid in curbing environmental risks in the Niger Delta by reducing gas flaring.
Moreover, it is expected to create numerous job opportunities and facilitate the transition from kerosene and firewood to cleaner energy sources. This shift, in turn, would enhance the health and overall well-being of the populace.
The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, stressed that the FLNG initiative would play a pivotal role in monetizing Nigeria’s gas resources, thereby bolstering the economy and achieving energy security.
Additionally, Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, the Executive Vice President, Gas, Power & New Energy, commended the Federal Government’s commitment to leveraging gas as a catalyst for rapid economic growth.
He highlighted this commitment through initiatives like the Decade of Gas aimed at fostering a robust gas economy.
As for the FLNG facility, it is anticipated to yield between 1.81 to 2.72 metric tonnes per annum (mtpa) of gas.
The project’s equity structure involves NNPC Ltd., UTM Offshore, and the Delta State Government, holding stakes of 20%, 72%, and 8% respectively.
In a shocking incident on Sunday morning, unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers invaded the home of Alhaji Auwal, a prominent businessman, in Garo Town, Kabo Local Government Area of Kano State.
The gunmen, estimated to be around 10 in number, forced their way into the residence, breaking down a door to gain entry.
An anonymous source revealed that the attackers were heavily armed, with three carrying firearms and the rest wielding other weapons.
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They quickly gathered the entire family in one room, instilling fear and panic in the household.
According to the source, Alhaji Auwal pleaded with the assailants to spare his family and agreed to meet their demands.
The kidnappers, who were determined to extort money, received ₦8 million from the family.
Despite this payment, the gunmen took the businessman’s eldest daughter, Zainab, a secondary school graduate, before fleeing the scene.
The whereabouts of Zainab remain unknown, and as of now, the kidnappers have not contacted the family.
This abduction comes just 48 hours after the tragic kidnapping and subsequent murder of former Gombe State Permanent Secretary, Atiku Mu’azu, who was killed by gunmen after a ₦10 million ransom was paid.
The two incidents have left the residents of Kano in shock and fear, prompting calls for increased security measures in the area.
Attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Kano Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, for comment were unsuccessful as his phone remained unreachable.
Authorities have yet to make any official statements regarding the investigation.
In a bold move, Colombian President Gustavo Petro declared on Sunday that he would not allow US deportation flights carrying Colombian migrants to access his country’s airspace.
The left-wing leader took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his strong stance, stating, “The United States cannot treat Colombian migrants as criminals. I forbid entry to our territory to US planes carrying Colombian migrants.”
Petro made it clear that such flights would only be accepted once Washington established a protocol to ensure the “dignified treatment” of deported migrants.
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The president later confirmed in a separate post that he had already turned back US military planes that were en route with Colombian migrants on board, although he did not provide further specifics on the matter.
While AFP sought confirmation from US authorities regarding the blockade of deportation flights, no immediate response was forthcoming.
Petro’s statements come just a day after Brazil’s government voiced similar outrage over the treatment of deported Brazilians.
Brazil condemned the US administration under President Donald Trump, citing instances where Brazilian migrants were deported while handcuffed on flights, describing it as a “flagrant disregard” for their basic rights.
In his remarks, Petro emphasized that he would be open to allowing civilian US flights to transport deported migrants as long as they were not subjected to treatment “like criminals,” signaling a broader call for humane treatment of migrants under international deportation policies.
An explosion at a mining site in Sabon Pegi, Mashegun Local Government Area of Niger State, claimed the lives of four individuals and left several others injured on Sunday morning.
The blast occurred as miners resumed operations, sending shockwaves through the community.
While the exact cause of the explosion remains undetermined, local residents have pointed to the poor handling of explosive devices by mining companies as a possible factor.
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The incident has sparked concerns about safety practices within the mining sector.
Community sources confirmed the recovery of four bodies, but authorities fear the death toll could rise.
Investigations are ongoing to establish the cause of the blast and assess the full extent of the damage.
One resident, Aminu, described the chaos that followed the explosion. “The sound was so loud that many of us thought it came from the hydroelectricity dam nearby. People panicked and ran into the bush for safety,” he recounted.
Another community member highlighted the potential role of mining operations in the tragedy.
“Mining companies here frequently use explosives during their activities, and this seems like an operational issue, not something related to terrorism,” the resident said, dismissing concerns about a security threat in the area.
As of the time of reporting, neither the state government nor security agencies have released an official statement regarding the explosion.
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