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Active participation of Ogoni stakeholders fundamental to remediation project – HYPREP

Michael Simire
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Active participation of Ogoni stakeholders fundamental to remediation project – HYPREP

The  Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) says the active participation of Ogoni stakeholders is fundamental to the success of the remediation project.

HYPREP
Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator, HYPREP, addressing a stakeholders engagement forum

Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, Project Coordinator, HYPREP, communicated this in a statement made available on Sunday, December 22, 2024, in Abuja.

Zabbey said HYPREP had organised an engagement forum with Ogoni key stakeholders in Port Harcourt and presented its scorecard.

He commended the stakeholders for their support for HYPREP while seeking continuous collaboration for the project’ completion.

”HYPREP cannot succeed in isolation; the active participation of Ogoni communities, traditional institutions and all other parties in a constructive manner is fundamental to the success of this transformative initiative.”

He said that the project had performed well in some areas with a 75 per cent completion of restoration of 560 hectares of oil-degraded mangroves.

“More than 1 million mangroves were planted; 20 per cent completion rate recorded for shoreline remediation while substantial advancement has been recorded in the land remediation.

“Similarly, there were interventions in soil and ground water and also the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER) hit 70 per cent completion.

“The Ogoni Specialist Hospital, Buan Cottage Hospital and the Ogoni Power Project are all progressing steadily.’’

Zabbey said that following the remediation of land and shorelines, more areas were being freed up for farming, fishing and other productive uses.

He said that the project was in talks with the African Development Bank to establish an agro-processing hub in Ogoni.

Zabbey said that HYPREP recognised the importance of access to sustainable clean water in enhancing public health and well-being and reaffirmed the project’s commitment to sustaining these interventions.

According to him, alongside the other water schemes in the Phase 1 contracts, the project is embarking on another 14 schemes that will cover more than 68 Ogoni communities.

“Two water stations have been commissioned in Bomu and Kporghor in Gokana and Tai Local Government Areas respectively.’’

He said that the project had created a Technical Coordination Committee, Remediation Documentation Review Committee and Milestones Committee with members drawn from post-UNEP consultants, Shell Petroleum Development Company and Civil Society Organisations.

“We achieve value for money and sustain stakeholders’ confidence in our ability to deliver on our mandate, address bottlenecks and interventions as well as meeting high standards of impact and sustainability,” Zabbey said.

He said the project had created more than 7,000 both direct and indirect jobs and prioritised human capacity development as evident in the training of 5000 youths and women in 20 skill sets and other strategic workshops.

The project coordinator said that HYPREP’s achievements underscored Federal Government’s commitment to restoring Ogoniland  in order to sustain development in the area.

By Abigael Joshua

Study investigates impact of climate change on respiratory health of grassroot dwellers 

Michael Simire
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Study investigates impact of climate change on respiratory health of grassroot dwellers 

The C2Rest Study Nigeria has concluded plans to start medical research to understand the impact of climate change on the respiratory health of people living in grassroots communities using some selected locations in Lagos and Ogun states as a case in study. 

C2Rest Study
Participants at the workshop organised by C2Rest Study on Community Engagement in Climate Change and Respiratory Health, in Ogun State

Dr. Obianuju Ozoh, Principal Investigator, C2Rest Study Nigeria, made the disclosure in her speech at the workshop on “Community Engagement on Climate Change and Respiratory Health” which held in Atan-Ota Area of Ogun State from December 20 to 21, 2024. 

Ozoh, who is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, and a Consultant Pulmonologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, disclosed: “The purpose of this workshop is to engage the community because we are planning to embark on the study where we are going to assess the health impacts of climate change, on the respiratory health of the members of this community and, to do this, we understand that it we can’t just come and begin to assess their health without them understanding the impact of climate change, what they are doing to contribute to climate change and how to also empower them to understand ways they can mitigate the impact of climate change. The session has been a very interactive session because the community members also have their ideas and understand some of the things that they are doing that are impacting climate change and they also have solutions and suggestions on how things can be better.” 

According to her, “This study is not just to engage the community going forward. Starting from January 2025, we’re going to engage on a longitudinal study in which we are going to measure the health impact of climate change. We are going to place monitors in the community that will measure the air quality because we know that air quality is an effect of climate change and poor air quality attacks the health. So we measure the air quality and the community, and then we will take the community members and follow them up over a period of time to see how this air quality is impacting their respiratory health. 

“In particular, we are focusing on the respiratory health because we know that when it comes to air pollution and air quality, the first contact is through the nostrils because we breathe it in. So, our lungs and our respiratory system is the first part of the body to be exposed to air pollution, so that’s why this study is focused on respiratory health. 

“This is a three-year project. We just started in 2024, and we’re hoping to continue to work on this up to 2027. And by then we’ll be able to have some results. With these results were going to come back to the community. So, this is not the end of our engagement with the community when we get the results in the next 18 months or so. We hope to come back to the community to share this result with them, we will tell them what the air quality in their environment is. We also want to tell them how it’s affecting their health with that information. They are empowered and are able to go back to their leaders and able to engage them to be able to demand for good air quality,” Dr. Ozoh stated.

In her remarks, Dr. Tolu Babatope highlighted the need to engage the residents of the community on the negative health impact of climate change. 

Dr. Babatope, a medical doctor with Lagos State Ministry of Health, is of the opinion that “we want the communities to understand the role that they play in this issue of air pollution. For instance, when people burn refuse and then cook with their materials like charcoal and firewood, these contributes to the air pollution. We want the people in the community to know that they also have a role to play in ensuring that they keep the air that they breathe in clean.

“And there is need for us to talk to government about the issue of air pollution but, before we go ahead and talk about, we need to present the government with adequate evidence. That’s the essence of this community engagement. 

In her submission, Ms. Titilope Akosa, Executive Director, Centre for 21st Century Issues, said: “We are collaborating with C2Rest on this research work on climate change and respiratory health in Nigeria in order to ensure provision of good quality air for people of the grassroots.” 

On why the choice of Sango and Atan Ota in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, Ms. Akosa said: “The choice of this location is because it’s a community and that we believe that it is at the local community that we understand the sources of pollution in the air. Also, there are several communities that will have gone, but we wanted to look at these communities because of the large concentration of commercial activities there. 

“Our engagement with these communities has opened our eyes to different sources of air pollution in the community apart from the one that is caused by climate change. There is also an understanding of what climate change is all about and how pollution in terms of emission from different activities in the community can contribute to climate change and how that also affected respiratory diseases among the people.”

Oluwafemi Abe, Lead Project Facilitator with C21st Issues, explained further that, starting from January 2025, Purple Air – a device used in monitoring air quality – will be donated to the communities, to help in the conduct of the research. 

Babatunde Owolewa, speaking on behalf of the residents of Ipamesan Community in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government, is full of praise for the facilitator of the programme because, according to him, it affords the residents of the community an opportunity to understand the health implication of air pollution. 

He said: “We now know better, and we will be able to relate the message of this workshop to everybody in this community like desisting from the act of refuse burning, inhaling fumes from the generator and others which could damage their lungs.” 

The C2Rest Study is led by researchers from Nigeria and United Kingdom with Principal Investigators from Teeside University and the University of Lagos. 

By Ajibola Adedoye

Global Biodiversity Framework Fund approves 18 new project preparation grants

Michael Simire
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Global Biodiversity Framework Fund approves 18 new project preparation grants

The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has approved $2.7 million for project preparation grants and set aside $91.2 million for 18 new projects in 17 countries, including nine Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The resources are expected to leverage $319.3 million in co-financing.

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The grants will fund development of projects on the KMGBF in the country

The grants will fund the development of projects on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) in Bolivia, Botswana, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Honduras, India, Iraq, Lao PDR, Madagascar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Tanzania.

The new projects to be developed cover a broad range of initiatives to support the KMGBF targets. In Colombia, a project will be dedicated to the conservation, sustainable use, and restoration of mangroves on the Pacific coast of Colombia with a focus on empowering Afro-Colombian Communities that manage 90% of these mangroves through collective land tenure.

In India, the CONSERVE project aims to strengthen the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan implementation through integrated spatial planning, community co-management approaches, and innovative financing instruments. The project in Botswana is to accelerate progress on KMGBF targets through biodiversity mainstreaming in the financial sector.

Among the projects to be developed in LDCs and SIDS, the GBFF is to support the long-term sustainability of Locally Managed Marine Areas and targeted conservation actions in protected areas covering Key Biodiversity Areas in Madagascar. Another project is to contribute to empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) of Papua New Guinea for the conservation and sustainable use of critical ecosystems spanning some 700,000 hectares.

With the new round, the GBFF has approved or set aside in 2024 a total of $202 million for 40 projects in 41 countries. To date, 36% of the total resources have been programed for LDCs and SIDS; 31% to support actions by IPLCs for the conservation, sustainable use, restoration, and management of biodiversity; and 20% have been programed through International Financial Institutions that are GEF agencies.

“The GBFF complements the substantial GEF Trust Fund investments in biodiversity and is a quick and effective way for supporting our efforts towards the Global Biodiversity Framework targets set for the next six years,” GEF CEO and Chairperson, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, said during the 3rd GBFF Council meeting. “These projects, in combination with other GEF projects, are crucial to accelerate the achievement of vital international biodiversity goals meant to halt and reverse nature loss.”

The new preparation grants include projects involving eight GEF implementing agencies: the Development Bank of South Africa, the Development Bank of Latin America-CAF, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, and World Wildlife Fund-US.

The GBFF is hosted by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and, so far, it has received contributions from 12 governments: Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Province of Québec, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

GEF adaptation funds accelerate action across 20 countries

Michael Simire
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GEF adaptation funds accelerate action across 20 countries

Representatives of Global Environment Facility (GEF) member states have approved $106.21 million in funding for urgently needed climate adaptation action in Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States.

Carlos Manuel Rodríguez
Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairman, attending the 68th Meeting of the GEF Council (that held virtually) on December 20, 2024

Spanning 20 countries, the 11 newly announced projects and programmes will support governments to achieve national climate adaptation priorities, from upscaling nature-based solutions to build resilient rural livelihoods, to enabling climate-proof infrastructure and basic services in urban centres.

The projects will be financed through the GEF’s two specialised climate change adaptation funds – the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF).

The latest announcement comes in the context of a renewed global commitment to financing climate adaptation, with COP29 in Baku seeing governments agree to triple annual outflows from multilateral funds including the LDCF and SCCF by 2030.

New donor funding announced during last week’s LDCF/SCCF Council meeting included a pledge of 2,269,680 euros to the LDCF from the Walloon Region of Belgium, an additional contribution of 15 million euros to the LDCF and a pledge of an additional 20 million euros to the SCCF from Germany, a contribution of 130 million Swedish kronor to the LDCF from Sweden, and a pledge of 10 million British pounds to the SCCF from the United Kingdom.

Newly approved LDCF initiatives include efforts to secure agricultural productivity and water resources in Sub-Saharan Africa, including projects in Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Togo, and Uganda. In conflict-affected Yemen, LDCF funding will support climate-smart agriculture to build resilience for farming families across 21 of the country’s most vulnerable districts. 

Scaling up GEF investments in the Pacific, SCCF projects will catalyse multilateral development bank funding in Fiji, Micronesia, and Nauru, reducing disaster risks through implementing multi-hazard early warning systems and climate proofing water and coastal infrastructure. 

GEF CEO and Chairperson, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, said that the support provided through the LDCF and SCCF to Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States was a vital element in enabling action on the frontlines of the climate crisis. 

“In these countries, climate-induced disasters threaten not only lives, but livelihoods, and development progress,” Rodríguez said. “I am grateful that the international community continues to see the value in these funds, and to share our trust in their ability to meet the adaptation needs of the world’s most climate-vulnerable populations.” 

The latest programming brings GEF adaptation investments to over $620.7 million in grants in the current GEF-8 funding cycle, complemented by over $2 billion in co-finance. 

Egypt emerges first in Africa to meet WHO drug safety standards

Michael Simire
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Egypt emerges first in Africa to meet WHO drug safety standards

Egypt has become Africa’s first nation to achieve international quality standards for both medicine and vaccine regulation, marking a milestone in the continent’s push for pharmaceutical independence.

Jean Kaseya
Dr. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention

The World Health Organisation (WHO) awarded Egypt’s Drug Authority a Maturity Level 3 designation, the second-highest rating for regulatory systems.

The classification recognises Egypt’s ability to ensure drug safety and quality control.

“Egypt’s accomplishment is a source of immense pride – not only for the country but for the entire continent,” said Dr. Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

Egypt’s pharmaceutical sector produces more than 90% of its medicines domestically and exports to over 100 countries.

However, no African nation has yet achieved the WHO’s highest regulatory rating, Maturity Level 4.

“We are steadfast in our mission to support African countries in achieving ML4 status,” Dr. Kaseya said. “Egypt’s progress powerfully demonstrates what can be achieved through aligned governance, resources, and commitment.”

The WHO evaluation examines more than 250 indicators of regulatory performance.

The certification positions Egypt as a model for other African nations working to strengthen their pharmaceutical oversight.

Africa CDC officials said the achievement advances the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals for health system independence and demonstrates the importance of investing in regulatory infrastructure.

First session of UN Group on housing calls for accelerated global action

Michael Simire
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First session of UN Group on housing calls for accelerated global action

The first session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All concluded recently in Nairobi, Kenya, with a call to accelerate global efforts to ensure safe, sustainable, and affordable housing.

Anacláudia Rossbach
UN-Habitat Executive Director, Anacláudia Rossbach, speaks at the first session of the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All. Photo credit: UN-Habitat/Peter Ndolo

Convened under the mandate of Resolution 2/7 on adequate housing for all adopted during the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in 2023, the session brought together over 200 participants, including ministers, ambassadors, and housing experts, to discuss practical solutions to the global housing crisis.

A unified call for action

“It is not possible to transform informal settlements without addressing the challenges of adequate housing together,” said Anacláudia Rossbach, Executive Director of UN-Habitat.

Throughout the session, participants stressed that adequate housing must be part of a broader strategy that includes urban planning, infrastructure, social services, and economic opportunities. They noted that addressing informal settlements and tenure insecurity requires a collective, comprehensive response that goes beyond housing alone.

Edna Elena Vega Rangel, President of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, also highlighted the importance of collaboration.

“It is very encouraging to see so many experts from around the world who have come together to join this discussion on adequate housing,” she said.

Her remarks reinforced the session’s focus on global partnerships, with participants highlighting the need for international cooperation and the sharing of best practices to solve the housing crisis.

Key outcomes: collaborative solutions for housing

The session highlighted several takeaways for accelerating progress on adequate housing:

  • Integrated housing policies: Participants emphasised the need to align housing strategies with broader urban development goals. They agreed that policies should address not only housing but also urban planning, informal settlements, tenure insecurity, and social equity, ensuring that housing is part of a comprehensive approach to urbanisation, infrastructure, and climate resilience.
  • Innovative financing: A strong focus was placed on scaling up innovative financing models, such as rent-to-own schemes and public-private partnerships. Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme was cited as an example, demonstrating how governments can incentivise low-cost, equitable housing while ensuring sustainability and long-term affordability.
  • Data-driven solutions: Experts stressed the importance of robust data systems to guide decision-making, identify housing gaps, and monitor progress.
  • Partnerships for action: The session underscored the importance of collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector. Participants highlighted the role of South-South cooperation and knowledge-sharing, which are key to scaling up successful housing solutions globally and ensuring that they are inclusive and sustainable.

Learning from Mukuru: Kenya’s affordable housing initiative

A major highlight of the session was a field visit to the Mukuru Affordable Housing Project (AHP) in Nairobi, Kenya. Delegates had the opportunity to see firsthand how the project is transforming one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements.

Mukuru, home to over 100,000 people, is part of Kenya’s Affordable Housing Programme, aimed at addressing the country’s significant housing gap. The Mukuru AHP features over 13,000 housing units offered under a rent-to-own model, making homeownership accessible to low-income residents.

Delegates toured the site and discussed the innovative financing model and use of an online platform to ensure equitable access to housing. The Mukuru AHP provided an example for other countries seeking to combine affordability, inclusivity, and sustainability in housing delivery.

What lies ahead?

Looking forward, the Open-ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group will build on the outcomes of the session to develop recommendations for the next United Nations Habitat Assembly. These recommendations will aim to accelerate progress toward achieving adequate housing for all by 2030.

New €28m AfDB-funded solar project to boost Chad’s energy access

Michael Simire
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New €28m AfDB-funded solar project to boost Chad’s energy access

The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved funding worth €28 million to build solar power plants in Gassi and Lamadji, Chad. This is part of the Bank’s Desert to Power programme to increase energy access across Africa.

Akinwumi A. Adesina
AfDB President, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina

The funding includes €20 million in direct support, combining a loan and a grant from the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, plus €8 million in financial guarantees. These guarantees are split equally between the African Development Fund and the Green Climate Fund, which both contribute €4 million each to support this clean energy project.

The project is part Chad’s Desert to Power plan. It will increase power supply by 20% and pave the way for the country’s energy transition from expensive, polluting fuel-based power to clean energy. The project will build two solar power plants in the outskirts of N’Djamena, each able to produce 15-megawatt peak of electricity.

It also includes new power stations, connection lines, and a 6-megawatt-hour battery system to store energy for when the sun isn’t shining. The total project cost is estimated at €41 million. The Bank’s financing is in addition to financing expected from other Development Finance Institutions (DFIs).

Kevin Kariuki, Vice President of the Power, Energy, Climate, and Green Growth complex at the African Development Bank, said: “The Gassi and Lamadji solar project is a landmark development that underscores Chad’s strong commitment to the transition to renewable energy under the Desert to Power Initiative, and the Bank’s continued commitment to supporting transformative, clean energy projects across the continent. This project not only facilitates the Government of Chad’s efforts to increase access to energy through renewable energy but also drives local economic growth and strengthens the country’s energy security.”

Wale Shonibare, the Bank’s Director of the Energy Financial Solutions, Policy, and Regulations department, added: “As a pioneering solar project in Chad, this initiative exemplifies the scale of renewable energy potential in the Sahel region. It demonstrates how strong partnerships and the Bank’s deployment of its suite of instruments and innovative solutions can advance the energy transition and foster sustainable economic development.”

The solar plants are expected to generate 61 gigawatt-hours of clean, reliable, and affordable energy each year responding to Chad’s energy deficit. This will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 49,000 tons each year, helping Chad meet its climate change commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The project will create 200 jobs during construction, with special opportunities for women and young people and 34 permanent jobs during operation. The project will generate revenue for the national treasury through taxes, reduce fuel subsidies, and improve the country’s balance of payments by reducing energy imports. 

Aligned with the Bank’s Ten-Year Strategy, the New Deal on Energy for Africa, and its High 5 objective of “Light Up and Power Africa,” the Gassi and Lamadji Solar PV project reinforces Chad’s commitment to increase energy access through renewable energy. It also supports the African Development Bank’s mission to promote sustainable, inclusive, and resilient energy development across Africa. 

Port Harcourt refinery fully operational – NNPC

Michael Simire
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Port Harcourt refinery fully operational – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) says the old Port Harcourt refinery is fully operational and preparation for Saturday loading operation is currently ongoing.

Port Harcourt Refinery
Port Harcourt Refinery

The NNPC Ltd. Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said this in a statement on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in Abuja.

Soneye advised members of the public to discountenance false media reports that the refinery, which was re-streamed in November, has been shut down.

He described such reports as the figments of the imagination of those who want to create artificial scarcity and rip-off Nigerians.

”The attention of the NNPC Ltd. has been drawn to reports in a section of the media alleging that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery which was re-streamed has been shut down.

“We wish to clarify that such reports are totally false as the refinery is fully operational as verified a few days ago by former Group Managing Directors (GMDs) of NNPC.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” he said,” the spokesperson said.

The 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity refinery, which attained its mechanical completion in 2023, began its truck-out of petroleum products on Nov. 26, following its rehabilitation.

That signaled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and petroleum products delivery to market.

The resumption of the refinery had followed a lot of skepticism and criticism from some critics who alleged that the rehabilitated refinery was a scam.

Amid the controversy, some renowned Nigerians, marketers and society of engineers among others had toured the refinery and confirmed that it is operational.

The refinery, which is the country’s oldest and biggest among the three government-owned refineries and located in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria, began operation in 1965.

By Emmanuella Anokam

LNG: Nigeria’s gateway to global energy

Michael Simire
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LNG: Nigeria’s gateway to global energy

Nigeria stands on the brink of energy transformation with the right collaboration and investment strategies.

Ekperikpe Ekpo
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo

This allows the country to realise its full potential in the global energy market while transitioning towards sustainable practices.

The recent World LNG Summit and Awards in Berlin, Germany, highlighted the country’s potential as a major player in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector.

The theme, “Achieving the Balance Between Energy Security and Decarbonisation”, resonates well with Nigeria’s aspirations, especially under the President Bola Tinubu’s administration, who emphasises positioning natural gas as a cornerstone of the nation’s energy strategy.

Given the country’s status as one of the largest producers of natural gas globally, the summit provided an essential platform to showcase Nigeria’s untapped reserves and foster international collaboration.

Nigeria has the opportunity to enhance its LNG sector through strategic partnerships with global producers, technology innovators, and financial entities.

Such collaborations can facilitate substantial investment in critical infrastructure, expanding LNG export terminals, and enhancing pipeline systems.

Moreover, embracing advancements in LNG research and technology is crucial as the global market pivots toward sustainable energy solutions.

Addressing the issue of natural gas flaring through innovative technologies and financing strategies was also a significant discussion point at the summit.

This approach not only aligns with environmental goals but can also enhance the country’s reputation in the international energy community.

To further solidify its position as a leading LNG exporter, Nigeria must seek favorable global pricing mechanisms and forge mutually beneficial trade agreements.

The summit also presented credible insight into shifting market trends, including the growing demand for LNG in emerging economies and its future role in developed nations’ energy mixes.

Geopolitically, the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led many European countries to seek alternatives to Russian fossil fuels.

Nigeria’s LNG could play a crucial role in Europe’s energy future as the summit offered Nigerian delegates insight into the exploration of new export routes and secure long-term contracts, strengthening its position in the global market.

The summit provided Nigerian companies, including startups, with the opportunity to showcase their innovations in LNG, through exposure and international attraction.

This will accelerate the growth of the domestic LNG sector, boosting both economic prosperity and Nigeria’s standing in the global energy market.

With its vast reserves, Nigeria’s LNG exports have been facing stiff competition from other major producers like Qatar, Australia, and the United States.

The post-summit gains should now include focus on global LNG market dynamics, including pricing, supply-demand projections and emerging market trends.

By tapping into cutting-edge technologies and participating in discussions on the future of LNG, Nigeria can significantly benefit from the knowledge shared at this global event.

Some experts believe that with its LNG potentials, Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with but for challenges such as infrastructure limitations, funding gaps, and regulatory hurdles remain.

Mr Dumnam Dekor, Chairman of the House Committee on Host Communities, underscored the importance of revisiting policies for a better support for host communities, especially those impacted by LNG facilities.

He highlighted the need for comprehensive policy reforms to align with global trends and ensure that LNG benefits are equitably distributed.

Mr Hart Godwin, another Nigerian lawmaker, emphasised the importance of increased investment in upstream energy projects, particularly in deep-water gas production.

He called for a regulatory environment conducive to competition and stressed the need to address security challenges, which affect production costs.

Godwin also praised President Tinubu’s executive order on oil and gas reforms, which includes tax incentives to boost Nigeria’s LNG competitiveness.

Abdulmalik Halilu, Director of Monitoring and Evaluation at the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, highlighted the importance of regional cooperation in addressing global climate goals.

He stressed that Nigeria must view net-zero ambitions from a continental perspective and adopt regulations that foster cooperation within ECOWAS and Africa as a whole.

On the role of financial institutions in funding LNG projects, Halilu explained that environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria were not meant to limit development but to ensure responsible field development that minimises environmental harm.

He advised Nigerian companies to focus on developing indigenous capabilities in LNG infrastructure, reducing reliance on foreign expertise.

In the same vein, Mr Olajide Bamidele, a Director at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, emphasised the growing dominance of LNG in global energy markets.

He warned that Nigeria must address the challenges related to competition and climate change.

He called for a national focus on alternative energy sources and strategies to maintain LNG’s position in the market for the next 10 to 20 years.

“As the LNG industry evolves, the summit offers critical insights into the global energy transition.

Nigeria’s participation provides opportunities to modernise its LNG sector, forge strategic partnerships, and tap into technological innovations that will shape the future of global energy.

With its vast reserves and commitment to energy transition, Nigeria is well-positioned to harness the full potential of its LNG industry and become a global LNG powerhouse,” he added.

By Yunus Yusuf

Dangote, MRS partner to sell petrol at ₦935 nationwide

Michael Simire
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0
Dangote, MRS partner to sell petrol at ₦935 nationwide

Dangote Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to sell petrol at ₦935 per liter at retail outlets nationwide.

Dangote Refinery
Dangote Refinery

This price reduction follows a decrease in the ex-depot price from ₦970 to ₦899.50 per liter.

Mr. Anthony Echiejina, Head of Media Communications of Dangote Refinery, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, December 21, 2024, in Lagos.

The company said that the new pricing, which had already been implemented in Lagos, would be rolled out nationwide starting from Monday.

It stated that the move followed an earlier reduction on Nov. 24, when the off-depot price of petrol was decreased from ₦990 to ₦970 per litre.

Mr Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Industries Ltd., commended President Bola Tinubu for the positive impact of the naira-for-crude swap deal on the Nigerian economy.

He said that the deal had contributed to the reduction of petroleum product prices.

“To ensure that this price reduction reaches the end consumer, we have partnered with MRS to sell petrol at ₦935 per litre through its retail outlets nationwide,” Dangote noted.

He also urged other oil marketers, including NNPC Retail, to join in the effort so that Nigerians could benefit from high-quality petrol at lower prices.

“The Dangote Refinery is for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians. We will continue to collaborate with various stakeholders to deliver high-quality petrol at more affordable prices.

“Our goal is to ensure that all Nigerians have access to high-quality petroleum products that are not only good for their vehicles but also for their health and their wallets,” the president added.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, in September, approved the sale of crude to local refineries in naira and the corresponding purchase of petroleum products in naira.

The move, which took effect on Oct. 1, has reduced pressure on the dollar and helped stabilise the local currency.

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