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Bridging energy access gap vital for Nigeria’s economic growth – Kyari

Michael Simire
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Bridging energy access gap vital for Nigeria’s economic growth – Kyari

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has emphasised the critical importance of bridging the energy access gap to the creation of economic prosperity of the country.

NNPC
Group CEO, NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari. receives a plaque in appreciation of his role as the Keynote Speaker during the 2024 edition of Society of Petroleum Engineers Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (SPE OLEF) held in Abuja, on Thursday

The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari, made this submission in a keynote address on industry operations with the theme, “Stability in the Energy Sector: Integrated Strategies for Infrastructure, Transportation and Security,” at the 2024 edition of Society of Petroleum Engineers Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (SPE OLEF) held in Abuja, on Thursday, March 28.

To bridge the energy access gap in Nigeria, Kyari said NNPC Ltd was working on developing the right infrastructure to deliver oil and gas to drive prosperity for Nigerians.

“We are committed to developing gas infrastructure across the country,” Kyari stated, stressing that the company’s commitment was not just a statutory requirement of the Petroleum Industry Act, but a pledge to ensure energy security beyond fuel supply.

“We are dedicated to investing in critical infrastructure to enhance economic prosperity by supplying gas to the domestic market, targeting at least 8 billion cubic meters,” Kyari added.

He listed some of the infrastructural projects being undertaken by the NNPC Ltd to help bridge the energy access gap in Nigeria to include the Obiafu/Obrikom/Oben (OB3) and Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) pipelines, adding that they are designed to enhance the nation’s gas supply network.

On the global front, Kyari said NNPC Ltd was working on expanding gas supply to the international market primarily through the NLNG Train 7 project while efforts were also being made to kick off Train 8 as well as the various floating LNG initiatives.

Kyari called for support in leveraging Nigeria’s abundant gas resources for economic prosperity, emphasising the need to bridge access gaps in electricity and clean cooking fuel.

He assured stakeholders and investors of the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he said is committed to the gas revolution.

Also speaking at the event, Chairperson of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council and Head of Asset and Investments Management, NGPIS, Salahuddeen Tahir, emphasised the critical role of energy in modern society, stating: “It’s a trigger for essential services such as transportation, heating, electricity generation, medical services, security, banking services, and communication.”

Tahir said there was need to develop a diversified and sustainable energy transportation system as a measure for mitigating climate change and enhancing energy security.

This year’s edition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Oloibiri Lecture Series and Energy Forum (SPE OLEF) is the 24th in the series having debuted in 1991. The forum is focused on contributing to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry policy development in commemoration of the first commercial oil discovery in Nigeria by Shell D’Arcy at Oloibiri, Bayelsa State in 1956.

Association commended for creating opportunities for African seed growers

Michael Simire
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Association commended for creating opportunities for African seed growers

With the current population growth in Africa, the attainment of food security and nutrition for the general populace is paramount, and seed is one of the most crucial determining elements. Arguably, sustainable and reliable production as well as access to quality and affordable seed is desirable to promote agricultural production and productivity for the required food and nutritional security.

AFSTA 24th Annual Congress
Participants at the AFSTA 24th Annual Congress in Mombasa, Kenya

This has been the pursuit of the African Seed Trade Association (AFSTA), since its formation in 2000 as the apex seed organisation, promoting the general development of the African seed sector through its annual congresses and seed fairs.

AFSTA 24th Annual Congress that held from March 5 to 6, 2024, in Mombasa, Kenya, was a show piece for the African seed sector, which attracted 300 delegates representing seed traders and producers from various regions of the world.

The guest of honour for the occasion, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Franklin Linturi Mithika, commended AFSTA “for continuously organising the seed fairs that have created opportunities for seed men and women to strengthen their seed businesses.”

Mr. Linturi noted that, through the Congress and AFSTA’s work, farmers had gained access to innovative technologies that have enhanced productivity and ultimately bolstered food and nutrition security. He also praised AFSTA for its role towards the establishment of the Regional Harmonised Seed Regulations in the continent.

The immediate past President of AFSTA, Dr Kulani Machaba, urged Africa’s seed sector to position itself to exploit the $4.18 billion project worth of the sector by 2030. He reminded the delegates that the sector was currently growing at an annual rate of Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% (2024). Dr. Machaba stressed the need to grow the number of farmers who have access to certified seed, and reminisced that, currently, only 23% of smallholder farmers in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) have access to improved varieties.

He observed that some challenges still persisted such as low investment in research and development targeting new varieties; long variety registration periods and weak funding of public research institutes, distinctiveness, uniformity and stability testing stations.

“These,” he said, “needed to be overcome through joint efforts.”

In his welcome address, AFSTA’s Secretary General, Justin Rakotoarisaona, emphasised the significance of the event happening amidst widespread discussions about the potential of genome editing technology in enhancing food security in Africa.

“AFSTA is firm in its belief that the economic progress of African countries hinges on the establishment of a strong seed sector, and advocates for the use of modern technologies in agricultural processes to accomplish this objective,” he stated.

“For this reason,” Mr. Rakotoarisaona added, “AFSTA has made continuous efforts to improve the environment for the seed business through its three-year Strategic Plan with a view to meaningfully contribute to the transformation of agriculture into an attractive, modern and sustainable livelihood option for communities throughout the continent.”

A press release signed by AFSTA’s Communication Officer, Aghan Daniel, provided additional details of the opening session, including a commendation by the Chairman of the National Organising Committee (NOC), Wellingtone Wasik, of the milestones the Kenya seed sector has achieved in the regulatory space.

“The Kenyan seed sector celebrates the milestones achieved within the regulatory space. The anchor regulator has opened the space for responsible self-regulation among private sector players. Building efficiency around this noble step is critical as it creates the platform for connectivity in tracking quality and building sustainability as we work to ensure the farmer accesses to high quality seed.”

The release further indicated that, during the Congress, a change of baton took place at AFSTA’s Board level, where Amadou Sarr of the Senegalse Seed Association (UNIS) was elected the new President of AFSTA, with Clive Mugadza of the Tanzania Seed Trade Association (TASTA) as Vice President. Thus, Dr Kulani, now the past President, will continue serving on the Board for two more years.

The release said topics covered at the formal session of the Congress included: “Challenges and opportunities from the Seed Trade Associations,” by Resource Persons from five African based National Seed Trade Associations; “Trends and emerging seed technologies applied in addressing various constraints of agriculture in Africa.” by Dr. Canisius Kanangire, Director of African Agricultural Technology Transfer Foundation (AATF), Kenya; and “What needs to be improved to promote seed trade in Africa? Analysing technical and socioeconomic contexts hampering the adoption rates of high-quality seed by farmers,” by Dr. Solomon Assefa Gizaw, Director of Technology for African Agriculture Transformation (TAAT – IITA), Benin.

Representatives of several regional and international organisations participated at the Congress. They included: International Seed Federation (ISF), EUROSEEDS, Union for the Protection of New Plant Varieties (UPOV), the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA), the Africa Regional Intellectual Property Organisation (ARIPO), the African Property Intellectual Organisation (OAPI) and African Union (AU).

According to the release, the next AFSTA Congress will be held in Kigali, Rwanda, from March 3 to 5, 2025.

By Ama Kudom-Agyemang

TotalEnergies reflects on 100 years of operations

Michael Simire
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TotalEnergies reflects on 100 years of operations

TotalEnergies’ 100,000 employees in 120 countries worldwide on Thursday, March 28, 2024, celebrated the 100th anniversary of the company’s creation. TotalEnergies’ 100-year history, according to the organisation, tells the story of the world and energy, from the 1920s to the present day.

TotalEnergies
TotalEnergies

On March 28, 1924, Compagnie Française des Pétroles was founded in France, a country without any oil. The move is said to mark the start of a century-long saga. To secure France’s energy supply, the company would travel to the four corners of the globe, adapting and growing throughout the century and its many technological and geopolitical upheavals.

The company further reflects:

Pioneers for 100 years

Unlike our rivals of the day, we did not have access to local resources. That is why we built our competitive advantage on international expansion and technical prowess. These two factors have shaped our pioneer spirit and our journey to this day. Over the years, we have continuously pushed back the boundaries – both technical and geographical – while also adapting to changing needs and customer expectations.

This is how we accompanied the remarkable progress and development that took place in modern society during the 20th century. We also acquired additional expertise and experience by teaming up with “Petrofina” and “Elf-Aquitaine”, and more recently with “Maersk Oil”, “Saft” or “Direct Energie”.

Becoming a multi-energy company

While oil was the energy of the 20th century, natural gas and decarbonised power are central to the energy system of tomorrow. Natural gas is necessary to the energy transition, as a support for the rise of intermittent renewables and as a substitute for coal, which emits twice as much CO2in power generation.

TotalEnergies is currently the world’s third-largest player in liquefied natural gas (LNG). And in electricity, we are one of the most dynamic solar and wind power developers in the world. Electricity is the energy at the heart of decarbonisation and the 21st century will clearly be electric.

Driving the energy transition

Since 2020, we have been resolutely implementing a transition strategy anchored around two pillars: hydrocarbons (including LNG) and electricity. We have the ambition to successfully achieve our transition and support our customers with theirs. Our challenge is to supply the world with the affordable energy required for its development while also reducing emissions.

That is the “just, orderly and equitable” transition called for by COP28. Drawing on the pioneer spirit that guides us, we will continue to adjust and adapt as needed to be part of the story of energy for another 100 years!

Youth group urges end to pipeline vandalism in Niger Delta region

Michael Simire
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Youth group urges end to pipeline vandalism in Niger Delta region

A youth organisation, called Niger Delta Youth Peace Builders, has appealed to the youths in the region to desist from crime and social vices, including pipeline vandalism, in desperate pursuit of wealth.

Abubakar Momoh
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Abubakar Momoh

The National President of the group, Mr Emmanuel Chibuike, made the appeal at a one-day sensitisation on “The impact of sabotage and vandalisation of pipelines in our environment”, organised by the group in Umuahia, Abia State, on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Chubuike blamed the hardship, general poverty and bleak future for youths in the region on the unscrupulous activities of pipeline vandals.

He said: “We stand here today united by a common goal: building a future for ourselves and our beloved Niger Delta.

“A future where peace reigns, opportunities flourish, and our environment thrives.

“However, the path to this future is marred by a significant obstacle – pipeline sabotage and vandalism.”

According to him, the destructive practice not only wounds our potential.

“Lost revenue from damaged pipelines means fewer schools, fewer hospitals and fewer opportunities for all of us.

“It fuels poverty and hopelessness, creating fertile ground for conflict and unrest,” Chibuike said.

He argued that the Niger Delta youths were not defined by such negative tendencies but “have the potential to be agents of change and architects of a thriving future”.

“We will explore peaceful alternatives to channel our energy and aspirations into constructive pursuits to build businesses, creating art and shaping a sustainable future for our region,” he said.

Chibuike, however, contended that achieving the objective required all hands to be on deck.

He said: “But remember, change cannot be achieved by a few.

“It requires a collective will and the choice for the path of peace and progress.”

He charged the participants to “become ambassadors for peace in our communities, spreading awareness and encouraging others to join our cause.”

“Let us seize this opportunity. Let us use this programme as a launch pad for a brighter future, a future where the Niger Delta is known not for its struggles but its resilience, innovation and unwavering pursuit of peace and prosperity.

Chubuike commended the Peace in the South-East Project, launched recently by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chief Benjamin Kalu.

He said that the initiative “offers a beacon of hope, demonstrates that through dialogue, collaboration and commitment, we can overcome challenges and build a more peaceful and prosperous region.”

He thanked the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, and the board for sponsoring the programme.

“It shows their commitment to investing in our future, equipping us with the knowledge and skills needed to become active citizens to contribute to building a better tomorrow,” Chubuike said.

Delivering a lecture on the negative impacts of pipeline vandalism in the region, the Guest Lecturer, Dr Jonah Orji, urged the youths to shun the criminal act and engage in legitimate ventures.

Orji described the negative consequences of indulging in acts of pipeline sabotage and vandalism as numerous and devastating, including explosion, environmental pollution and horrendous deaths.

The Chairman of the event and keynote speaker, Mr Onyendi Okwulehie, further underscored the need for the youths to eschew criminal tendencies and pursue the path of honour in their quest for wealth.

Okwulehie regretted that society no longer encourage hard work and enterprise but worship money bags without minding the means of their wealth.

He argued that ill-gotten wealth does not endure, hence the youths should work hard to earn legitimate wealth and good name.

In a goodwill message, a social activist, Chika Nwabueze, described the programme as imperative to equip the leaders of tomorrow.

Nwabueze said that such workshops should be organised regularly to help shape their world view and approach to life.

Nwabueze urged the youths to remain positive, focused and shun the get-rich-quick syndrome.

“Discover the innate talent in you and develop it and the sky will be your limit.

“Take the message home that crime does not pay.

“Pipeline vandalism is a crime against one’s country and anyone caught engaging in it would be made to go in for it,” he said.

Nwabueze further described the nation’s youths as progressive, enterprising and resilient, needing the right atmosphere to excel.

Some of the participants thanked NDDC and the conveners for organising the programme to help check vandalism and other criminal tendencies amongst the youths in the region.

Messrs Jessey Ume-Kalu of Styles and Concepts urged women to join the campaign against pipeline vandalism, notwithstanding that women were not known to involve in the crime.

Somalia Okechukwu, also of Styles and Concepts, urged NDDC and parents to encourage and mentor the youths of the region to go into agriculture as a means of livelihood.

By Leonard Okachie

Forest fires ravage 19 states in Mexico

Michael Simire
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Forest fires ravage 19 states in Mexico

A total of 120 active forest fires have been recorded in Mexico, preliminarily affecting 7,137 hectares in 19 states, the Mexican government said on Wednesday, March 27, 2024.

Forest fire
Fire fighters battle a forest fire

According to a report by the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), there are 120 forest fires in 19 states, with the central state of Hidalgo worst hit, having so far burnt 1,874 hectares.

Conafor’s preliminary report said there were active fires where an estimate of the affected open field was still not available.

In recent days, 42 fires have been extinguished, preliminarily affecting 2,608 hectares.

Mexican President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said at his daily news conference that a total of 6,000 Mexican soldiers, marines, Civil Protection and Conafor personnel were working to control the fires.

He assured that there was no risk to the population caused by the blazes.

The president also lamented the death of four people in fire-fighting efforts, namely two community members, a police officer and a fire-fighter.

ECOWAS requires $5.2bn to address infrastructure deficit, says Commissioner

Michael Simire
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ECOWAS requires $5.2bn to address infrastructure deficit, says Commissioner

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) says it requires about $5.2 billion to address infrastructure deficit and achieve its core objectives of driving the subregion’s economic growth.

Sediko Douka
ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Mr Sediko Douka

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitalisation, Mr Sediko Douka, made this known while addressing a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, March 28, 2024.

He said that, in order to curb these challenges, the subregion’s leaders had earlier approved the creation of an ECOWAS fund for the development and financing of the transport and energy sectors (FODETE).

Douka explained that the fund was dedicated to financing regional infrastructure, particularly in the transport and energy sectors, and financed by taxing member states’ main export resources like agriculture, oil and gas, natural minerals.

He described FODETE as a viable funding mechanism, which was expected to generate more than $350 million annually, and would continue to grow over a projected 20-year period.

The Commissioner said that to address the numerous infrastructure challenges in West Africa, ECOWAS had implemented various regional electricity and energy programmes and projects towards subregional economic integration and growth.

He said: “To address these challenges, ECOWAS set up specialized agencies in the field of energy, namely, the West African Power Pool (WAPP) in Cotonou, Benin.

“Others are the Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA) in Accra, Ghana, the Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in Praia, Cape Verde, and the West African Gas Pipeline Authority (WAGPA) in Abuja, Nigeria.

“The strategic objective of the WAPP is to integrate the operation of the Community’s national electricity grids into a unified regional electricity market, with a view to providing the citizens of ECOWAS Member States with a stable, regular, and reliable supply of electricity at a competitive cost in the medium and long term.”

According to him, to achieve this objective, WAPP promotes and develops electricity production and transmission facilities and equipment, and coordinates electricity trading among ECOWAS member states.

The Commissioner said that the WAPP investment programme derived from the ECOWAS Master Plan for regional electricity production and transmission facilities, the current one being the 2019-2033 plan.

He said that ECOWAS also embarked on a Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP) and Battery Energy Storage System (BEST) aimed at enhancing member states’ efforts in the field of electricity supply.

The project, he said, was to facilitate the connection to the electrical grid for 1.1 million households in nearly 600 localities and financed by the World Bank with 225 million dollars, targeting 1,075 villages in Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Mali.

He said that ECOWAS also embarked on Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP) and Battery Energy Storage System (BEST), aimed at enhancing member states’ efforts in the field of electricity supply.

“The project aims to increase electricity access for West African populations. It seeks to facilitate the connection to the electrical grid for 1.1 million households in nearly 600 localities.

“Financed by the World Bank with $225 million, the project covers Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Mali, targeting 1,075 villages.

“The objectives of the project are to increase electricity access in Niger, Senegal and Mauritania and improve the capacity of the electricity system to ensure synchronous operation in the ECOWAS power system through energy storage equipment installation in Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, and Mali,” he said.

Douka said that ECOWAS also embarked on a Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP), which aimed to increase electricity access rates for households, commercial enterprises, and community institutions.

Financed by the World Bank with $338.7 million, he said it was being implemented in 19 countries, including the 15 ECOWAS member states, Chad, Cameroon, Mauritania, and the Central African Republic.

The Commissioner said that ECOWAS had also initiated regional electricity market in June 2018, with its implementation overseen by ERERA and WAPP.

He said that in the realm of renewable energies, several projects were underway with the objective of increasing energy capacity and access to electricity, particularly for rural populations.

“To date, 14 out of the 15 member states are interconnected. In fact, all 14 mainland countries of ECOWAS are interconnected.

“Only the 15th country, Cabo Verde, remains unconnected, which will soon be rectified through the implementation of a high-voltage submarine cable, with feasibility studies due to start shortly.

 “Consequently, starting from 2024, electricity exchanges (both purchases and sales) will be possible, making tariffs more competitive and ensuring coverage of demand, which currently stands at only 60%.

“What’s interesting here is that all you need is enough independent energy producers to cover demand,” Douka added.

By Mark Longyen

Govt, stakeholders to reduce black carbon emissions by 83% in 2030

Michael Simire
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Govt, stakeholders to reduce black carbon emissions by 83% in 2030

The Federal Government and Self Help Africa, an NGO, have initiated moves to reduce black carbon emissions by 83 per cent and methane emissions by 61 per cent by 2030.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari

Carbon and methane are climate pollutants.

Mr Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this at a workshop on the Abatement of Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPs) in the Nigerian Agricultural Sector project on Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Abuja.

The inception workshop was organised by the ministry in collaboration with Self Help Africa, and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

Fashedemi said that Nigeria was one of the few countries to highlight its commitment to reduce SLCP.

The permanent secretary, who was represented by Mr Osadiya Olanipekun, the Director, Agricultural Lands and Climate Change Management Services, said it was part of the efforts to mitigate the effect of Climate Change in the country.

“The project (SLCP) is to help reduce short lived carbon emission from agricultural waste.

“This will help to increase the adaptive capacity of farmers with the replacement of open field burning of agricultural waste with clean alternatives like conservation agriculture, and briquette making among others,’’ he said.

Earlier, Mrs Joy Aderele, the Country Director, Self Help Africa, Nigeria, said SLCPs was an 18-month pilot programme to work with 500 farmers to reduce open burning.

Aderele said that Gboko Local Government Area in Benue State would be used as a pilot to demonstrate successful approaches to reducing open field burning.

She explained that the 500 farmers would be formed into 20 groups of 25 farmers each, selected from communities in Gboko Local Government Area.

Aderele said that other participants in the project included 45 agricultural extension officers across the geo-political zones in the country.

She said that the projects would facilitate strategic stakeholders’ engagement and capacity building of government agricultural extension officers and farmers.

Aderele said it was to enable the farmers and the extension agents use best practices approaches to reduce the alternatives to open field burning while promoting Climate Smart Agriculture.

She said that one of the objectives of the SLCPs was to contribute towards Nigeria’s goals of Low Carbon Development and emissions reduction promote as set out in Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) document.

“The project will contribute to achieving the goals of Nigeria’s 2019 National Action Plan to Reduce SLCPs.

“This aims to reduce black carbon emissions by 83 per cent and methane emissions by 61 per cent by 2030,” Aderele said.

By Doris Esa

Only seven countries meet WHO air pollution guideline – Report

Michael Simire
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Only seven countries meet WHO air pollution guideline – Report

The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report has revealed troubling details of the world’s most polluted countries, territories, and regions in 2023.

air-pollution
Children exposed to air pollution. The WHO says that more than one in four deaths of children under five years of age are attributable to unhealthy environments

For this year’s report, data from more than 30,000 air quality monitoring stations across 7,812 locations in 134 countries, territories, and regions were analysed by IQAir’s air quality scientists.

Key findings from the 2023 World Air Quality Report:

  • Seven countries met the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline (annual average of 5 µg/m3 or less):
  • Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand.
  • The top five most polluted countries in 2023 were: Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Tajikstan and Burkina Faso.
  • A total of 124 (92.5%) out of 134 countries and regions exceeded the WHO annual PM2.5 guideline value of 5 µg/m3.
  • Africa remains the most underrepresented continent, with a third of the population still lacking access to air quality data.
  • Climate conditions and transboundary haze were major factors in Southeast Asia, where PM2.5 concentrations rose in nearly every country.
  • The region of Central & South Asia was home to the top 10 most polluted cities in the world.
  • Begusarai, India was the most polluted metropolitan area of 2023. India was home to the four most polluted cities in the world.
  • The most polluted major U.S. city was Columbus, Ohio. Beloit, Wisconsin was the most polluted city in the U.S.
  • Las Vegas, Nevada was the cleanest major city in the U.S.
  • For the first time in the history of this report, Canada was the most polluted country in Northern America, with the region’s 13 most polluted cities located within its borders.
  • 70% of the real-time air quality data in the region of Latin America & Caribbean comes from low-cost sensors.

While the number of countries and regions with air quality monitoring has steadily increased over the past six years, there remain significant gaps in government-operated regulatory instrumentation in many parts of the world. Low-cost air quality monitors, sponsored and hosted by citizen scientists, researchers, community advocates, and local organisations, have proven to be valuable tools to reduce gaps in air monitoring networks across the world.

“A clean, healthy, and sustainable environment is a universal human right. In many parts of the world the lack of air quality data delays decisive action and perpetuates unnecessary human suffering. Air quality data saves lives. Where air quality is reported, action is taken, and air quality improves,” said Frank Hammes, Global CEO, IQAir.

These independent air quality monitoring stations reveal disproportional exposure to harmful air pollution among vulnerable and underrepresented groups. Glaring gaps in air quality monitoring data, where pollution is likely poor, further underline the need to expand air quality monitoring coverage worldwide.

“IQAir’s annual report illustrates the international nature and inequitable consequences of the enduring air pollution crisis.

“Local, national, and international effort is urgently needed to monitor air quality in under-resourced places, manage the causes of transboundary haze, and cut our reliance on combustion as an energy source,” states Aidan Farrow, Sr. Air Quality Scientist, Greenpeace International.

“In 2023 air pollution remained a global health catastrophe, IQAir’s global data set provides an important reminder of the resulting injustices and the need to implement the many solutions that exist to this problem.”

We’ve not adjusted PMS pump price – NNPC

Michael Simire
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0
We’ve not adjusted PMS pump price – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has clarified that the rumours suggesting a price adjustment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) at its retail outlets nationwide are false.

NNPC
An NNPC station in Lagos

Mr Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., said in a statement on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, that the reports were untrue.

There were reports in some sections of the media on Monday that the ex-depot price for PMS had reduced from N640 to N630 for the independent oil marketers, while NNPC Ltd. maintained its N570 price.

The N630 new ex-depot price for independent marketers is just one per cent reduction following decision by the NNPC Ltd. to give product directly to the marketers, while maintaining its N570 ex-depot price.

This was against the former arrangement where the independent marketers get supply from private depots.

The development provoked reactions from Nigerians who assumed that NNPC Ltd. had reduced pump price at their retail outlets from N617 to N570.

Soneye, however, urged Nigerians to disregard the reports in its entirety.

He reaffirmed NNPC’s commitment to sustaining the current sufficiency in petroleum products supply across all its retail stations in the country.

By Emmanuella Anokam

Storm overflows dump sewage into UK waters

Michael Simire
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0
Storm overflows dump sewage into UK waters

Storm overflows dumped sewage into rivers and seas across England for more than 3.6 million hours in 2023, more than double of what obtained the previous year.

Storm overflow
Storm overflow

The country’s environmental agency data reveal there were 464,056 spills in 2023, up 54 per cent from 301,091 in 2022.

The agency attributed the situation partly to England experiencing its sixth-wettest year on record.

The figures reveal the frequency and duration of spills from storm overflows, which dump untreated sewage into rivers and seas.

This is usually during heavy rainfall to stop sewers backing up, amid high levels of public concern and anger over the state of England’s waterways and beaches.

The duration of the sewage spills has more than doubled from 1,754,921 hours in 2022, to 3,606,170 hours in 2023, the figures show.

Both the frequency and duration of spills were also up in 2020 levels, which saw comparable amounts of rainfall.

The figures were at their highest ever levels, although officials caution that comparisons over the years are difficult.

This is because an increasing number of storm overflows have been fitted with monitors overtime, with all now having the technology to record spills.

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