GRBusiness
Alleged Delisting of Enugu City from World 100 resilient Cities: I stand with Ugwuanyi
By Ujunwa Eze
Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman politician and lawyer, who served as consul in the year 63 BC., must have seen the future with his wise saying, thus, “As fire when thrown into water is cooled down and put out, so also a false accusation when brought against a man of the purest and holiest character, boils over and is at once dissipated, and vanishes and threats of heaven and sea, himself standing unmoved”.
This assertion is most appropriate to describe the morbid assertions ridiculing the leadership of Enugu State lead by His Excellency; Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi over the alleged delisting of Enugu City from among the world 100 resilient cities. In honesty, a few clicks of the keyboard show City is conspicuously missing in the list of the Foundation’s World 100 Resilient Cities.
Recall, the Enugu City was enlisted in 2014 by Rockefellers Foundation which bequeathed the State of certain statuses to source funding for its numerous projects.
First, instructively, the State has maintained a leading position in infrastructural development, in spite the meagre finance at its disposal. The present government has not only maintained the infrastructural development grids in the State, it has gone ahead to redefine grassroots participation in projects development.
So, when the Social Media Political Analysts begin to question: ‘What has the State government been doing?’ or ‘The State Government should better start explaining why the City was delisted by Rockefeller Foundation’, my usual answer is that you don’t shave a man’s head in his absence. Why do I say that? Rockefellers Foundation has not come out to give categorical or official report on reasons for removing the City from the map.
Secondly, I strongly disagree with critics in some quarters who argue that lack of infrastructural development was the main reason for this action. Only this December 2017, and in continuation of its massive infrastructure rehabilitation campaign in Enugu State, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration approved contracts for the reconstruction of various road projects, mainly in Enugu metropolis at the sum of over N1.4 billion.
The State Government identified Asata, Iva Valley, Maryland and G.R.A, among others, as areas where the projects will be executed even as the State Executive Council also approved the reconstruction of St. Michael Catholic Church road , Asata and the extension of the Timbershade-Lomalinda Estate road (phase one) to Ugwuaji to serve as another gateway to Enugu from Port Harcourt expressway as well as ensure free flow of traffic.
The roads are been considered because of the economic importance; while the award for the reconstruction of Iva Valley link road, beginning from Camp 1 of Old PRODA site to the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway.
The Council also awarded contract for the rehabilitation of the NBL/Aqua Rapha road section at 9th Mile Corner in the Udi LGA. Ekochin-Ekeani- New market road reconstruction is nearing completion.
Thirdly, one outstanding testimony working for this Government is its refusal to align with the league of phantom project awarding governments as evident in some States today! In the first 365 days in office, this government unveiled 100 projects running into billions of naira. And who is told these were possible at the time recession was knocking on the doors; oil revenue was depreciating, even the IGR wasn’t at the level expected because the purchasing powers of the citizens became depreciated too. The State didn’t even bother to increase taxes like their counterparts did.
Fourthly, I choose to stand with a Government that is humane, down to earth and grassroot development oriented that ornamented and/or sugar coated governance meshed in avarice for stealing.
Fifthly, and on education, the State is warming up to recruit additional 700 teachers for the Universal Basic Education Scheme to fill the gap created by deaths and retirements within the past one year. The State Government recruited 1,320 teachers in 2016 for primary schools in the 17 local government areas of the state.
To strength and ensure efficient service delivery through effective monitoring and control, N37.2m has been approved for purchase of instructional materials such as desktop computers, laptops, marker boards and chalks for primary schools in the 17 local councils.
Sixthly, since it introduced Enugu State Traders Empowerment Scheme, traders (in their hundreds) have benefited from this gesture. Interestingly, extension of the programme has been granted till next year with some modifications aimed at enhancing the goal of the scheme.
Seventhly, and on security, the Government recently approved the installation of 24-hour power supply through solar technology to all 45 divisional police stations in the State. The measure will definitely assist the police overcome the difficulties that officers experience, especially at night in the various stations.
The State Executive Council subsequently approved two types of power lighting systems for each of the 45 police stations in Enugu State, as follows: Simple but steady solar power supply units to be installed in police reception and charge offices and to be used for illumination, for charging phones, and for powering other essential working tools such as television sets and fans; and solar powered street lamps within the premises and approaches to be installed in each of the 45 police stations to help monitor movement into and out of their precincts.
As learnt, issues around environmental sanitation are been tackled head-on. Recently, there has been refuse overflow with the State capital littered with wastes. Actually, I expected the State Governor to sack the entire management of ESWAMA! Yes, it is either they work assiduously to address the heaps of stenches defacing the State or chicken out of the system.
While I was contemplating on this measure, news filtered in that Governor Ugwuanyi has taken the bull by the horn. The brightness of the State is restored and many who have come home this yuletide season can attest to this. The magic applied to rid the State of refuse is a topic for another day.
In essence, I want to call the good people of Enugu State to support this government so we can move forward. I believe that Rockefellers Foundation might have its reasons for delisting the State from the group; at the same time, we have to hold our peace till the State gets to the root of the matter.
It will do us no good in joining the bandwagon of ‘lie-dispensers’, propagandist and political opportunists who are hell-bent on wrestling power from the incumbent administration and thus install their poverty-sharing party on us. God forbid! Enugu State remains in the safe hands of God!
Ujunwa Eze, sends her articles from Ezeagu, Enugu State
…OML 13 Asset Eyes 80,000 bpd by End of 2025
In a major boost for Nigeria’s crude oil production, revenue generation and economic growth efforts, the NNPC Ltd has officially unveiled its latest crude oil grade, the Utapate crude oil blend, before the international crude oil market.
It would be recalled that in July, 2024, NNPC Ltd and its partner, the Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company (SEEPCO) Ltd introduced the Utapate crude oil blend, following the lifting of first cargo of 950,000 barrels which headed for Spain.
During a ceremony held at the Argus European Crude Conference taking place in London, United Kingdom, on Wednesday, the Managing Director, NNPC E & P Limited (NEPL), Mr. Nicholas Foucart described the introduction of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market as a significant milestone for Nigeria’s crude oil export to the global energy market.
“Since we started producing the Utapate Field in May 2024, we have rapidly ramped up production to 40,000 barrels per day (bpd) with minimum downtime. So far, we have exported five cargoes, largely to Spain and the East Coast of the United States; while two more additional cargoes have been secured for November and December 2024, representing a significant boost to Nigeria’s crude oil export to the global market,” Foucart told a packed audience of European crude oil marketers.
He added that since its introduction into the global market, the Utapate crude oil blend has enjoyed a positive response from the international crude oil market, due to its highly attractive qualities.
Foucart said the Oil Mining Lease (OML) 13, fully operated by NEPL and Natural Oilfield Services Ltd (NOSL), a subsidiary of SEEPCO Ltd, boasts a huge reserves of 330million barrels of crude oil reserves, 45 million barrels of condensate and 3.5 tcf of gas.
“We have a number of ongoing projects to increase our production from the current 40,000bopd to 50,000bopd by January 2025 and 60,000bopd to 65,000bopd by June 2025. Essentially, we are targeting opportunities to increase production to 80,000bopd by the end of 2025,” Foucart added.
He said the Utapate crude oil terminal is sustainable, affordable and fully compliant with the rigorous environmental regulations and sustainability principles especially those aimed at reducing carbon emissions and other ecological effects.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NNPC Trading Ltd (NTL), Mr. Lawal Sade said the pricing structure of the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to that of Amenam crude as it is a light sweet crude which is highly sought after by refiners across the world due to its low sulphur content, efficient yield of high-value products, API gravity and other similarities.
He said in bringing the new crude oil blend to the global market, NNPC Ltd wanted to optimise value for both its producers and counterparties across the globe.
He added to ensure predictability and sustainability of supply, the NNPC Trading intends to run a term contract on the Utapate crude oil blend cargoes, principally targeting off-takers from the European and the US East Coast refineries.
Produced from the Utapate field in OML 13 in Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, the Utapate crude oil blend is similar to the Nembe crude oil grade. It has a low sulphur content of 0.0655% and low carbon footprint due to flare gas elimination, fitting perfectly into the required specification of major buyers in Europe.
The NNPC E&P Ltd and NOSL partnership is also committed to operating in a manner that is safe, environmentally responsible, and beneficial to the local communities.
The Utapate field development plan, executed between 2013-2019 and approved in October, included converting wells and facilities from swamp/marine to land-based operations.
The plan involved a multi-rig drilling campaign for 40 wells and the development of significant infrastructure such as production facilities, storage tank, a subsea pipeline and an offshore loading platform to facilitate crude oil evacuation and loading.
The entry of the Utapate crude oil blend into the market is coming barely a year after the NNPC Ltd announced the launch of Nembe crude oil, produced by the NNPC/Aiteo operated Oil Mining Lease (OML) 29 Joint Venture (JV).
This remarkable achievement signals the commitment of the NNPC Ltd to increasing Nigeria’s crude oil production and growing its reserves through the development of new assets.
Energy
NNPC Ltd Set to Supply 100mmscf/d Gas to Dangote Refinery
…10-year Deal to Boost Local Production, Revamp Industrial Growth, reports Ikenna Oluka
The NNPC Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has successfully executed a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE.
The agreement, signed by the Managing Director, NGML, Barr. Justin Ezeala and the President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote on Tuesday at the Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos State, outlines the supply of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the Dangote Refinery, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.
This major milestone is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy of utilizing Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.
This development, which sees a huge investment of this nature penned with zero capital expenditure (CAPEX) outlay, has been described by many as unprecedented in the history of NGML or any gas Local Distribution Company (LDC) in the country.
Under the terms of the agreement, NGML will supply 100 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCF/D), 50MMSCF/D being firm supply and the rest 50MMSCF/D interruptible natural gas supply to the refinery for an initial period of 10 years, with options for renewal and growth.
This collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring the operational success of the Dangote Refinery and enhancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilization.
NNPC Ltd, through NGML, its gas marketing subsidiary, continues to lead efforts in promoting the use of domestic gas to support industries and businesses nationwide.
The agreement represents a milestone for both NNPC Ltd and Dangote Refinery, aligning with their shared commitment to boosting local production and providing vital products for the benefit of all Nigerians.
It is also a further proof of NGML’s unwavering commitment to business excellence and fulfilling NNPC Ltd’s core mandate of ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through the execution of strategic gas projects across the country.
Women in Maritime Africa (WIMAfrica), in a significant step forward for female representation in the Maritime field, held a strategic meeting with SIFAX Group at the SIFAX headquarters on November 12th, 2023.
The two organizations aim to foster mentorship, sponsorship, and skills development programs that will empower women to pursue and excel in maritime careers, where female representation remains below 1%. Key figures from WIMAfrica, including Continental Vice President Mrs. Carolyn Ufere and Nigeria’s President Mrs. Rollens Macfoy, emphasized the need for corporate partnerships to expand access to training and professional networks for women. SIFAX’s Coordinating Director, Mrs. Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, expressed the Group’s commitment to gender inclusivity and highlighted the presence of women in leadership roles across its various sectors.
In closing, WIMAfrica extended an invitation for SIFAX Group to support its upcoming conference in Lagos, themed “New Economy and Moving Forward for the Next Generation,” which seeks to inspire young women to explore maritime career paths like engineering and marine security. The collaboration between WIMAfrica and SIFAX Group marks a crucial move toward an inclusive future in Africa’s maritime industry.
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