Baru Urges Oil Workers to Sustain Sectoral Industrial Harmony

                                                      Dr. Maikanti Baru, GMD, NNPC

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he Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has reminded Oil and Gas workers in the country to sustain the industrial harmony the sector has enjoyed in recent times.

NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, in a release in Abuja, quoted Dr. Baru as saying that the Oil and Gas Sector was central to Nigeria’s overcoming the recent past recession, stressing that oil workers owe the country the duties to ensure that the nation does not slip back to the slum.

Ughamadu stated that the GMD thanked the two national industry unions: the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) and the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), for the exceptional maturity they have shown at critical moments on issues affecting the industry.

The release explained that the NNPC Management under the leadership of the Dr. Baru would continue to partner the unions in the interest of the nation and the industry workers, saying the corporation’s doors are open to the union leadership to move the sector forward collaboratively.

Ughamadu also quoted Dr. Baru in the release as informing that NNPC had 37-day Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, self- sufficiency, assuring that all the corporation’s depots nationwide have abundance of petroleum products to meet the needs of Nigerians even as it added that the depot managers have been put on alert to ensure uninterrupted loading of products in their domains.

NNPC Embarks on Multibillion Healthcare Venture to Curtail Medical Tourism

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he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has teed-off a major national healthcare intervention project designed to halt medical tourism to foreign destinations through the provision of state-of-the-art hospitals and diagnostic centres across the country.

Details of the medical venture plans published in the Q3 2018 Edition of the NNPC Magazine indicated that the corporation has set a five-year gestation period for the project to achieve substantial impact in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system.

The NNPC quarterly publication reported that the healthcare project is in three parts. The first is Occupational Health designed to specifically service NNPC staff, their dependents and retirees. All current NNPC clinics fall under this scheme and are presently being upgraded to reflect the new realities.

The second scheme involves some key NNPC hospitals like the erstwhile Abuja International Diagnostic Centre (AIDC) and the Benoni Hospital in Benin City which are being equipped to service both NNPC staff and outsiders because of their projected excess capacity.

The third leg of the medical project which has been designated as ‘new business’ involves locations where state-of-the-art hospitals and diagnostic centres will be constructed on NNPC unutilized lands in Kaduna, Mosimi and Port Harcourt for commercial purposes.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, said he was delighted by the development being spearheaded by the NNPC Medicals, saying the project would impact on the bottom line of the corporation in the long run.

Dr. Baru affirmed that apart from the financial benefits the project promises, it also underlined the progress being made in the transformation efforts to reposition NNPC as a fully integrated company of the future.

The NNPC Magazine’s report further informed that the icing on the cake is the erstwhile Abuja International Diagnostic Centre which is being reconfigured to assume the status of a national flagship medical mall. 

Upon completion, the centre will warehouse top class health care providers in cardiovascular, oncology, renal dialysis, radiology and lab services.

The dream, it was gathered, is essentially to make AIDC a hub for other clinics through telemedicine.

This process allows the remote delivery of healthcare services, such as health assessments or consultations with the support of telecommunications and information technology infrastructure. It will enable the healthcare providers to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients without the need for an in-person visit.

Dr. Babatunde Adeniran, Chief Operating Officer, NNPC Ventures, said the new-found medical vision was modeled as well as inspired in part by successes recorded in other jurisdictions like Saudi Arabia, where the state oil company, Saudi Aramco, partners John Hopkins to provide best medical care for its staff and residents of other Middle East countries. 

“NNPC has 52 clinics/hospitals, the largest network of healthcare facilities in Nigeria which is enough capacity for us to build on, upgrade the facilities and achieve our commercialization dream. The aim is to reduce to zero, medical tourism and the accompanied capital flight with a view to retaining the money in Nigeria while also improving NNPC’s revenue,’’ he said.

Musa Shaibu, veteran Occupational Health Physician and Managing Director of NNPC Medical Services Limited (NMSL), told the NNPC Magazine that the corporation was harnessing its strong brand name and market place identity to achieve remarkable results in the pursuit of medical excellence. 

“The NNPC name is huge, it is a golden name and as we are going into healthcare delivery in the name of NNPC, it is going to be a huge advantage. Don’t forget that, over the years, because we have been in the practice, we have interfaced with the best in healthcare delivery across the world. We know what to do and how to achieve result,’’ he said.

OPEC IS RIPPING OFF THE WORLD

-TRUMP

                                Donald Trump, President of the United States of America

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he President of the United States, Donald Trump has accused the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its members for taking undue advantage of oil consuming nations through making oil prices high.

The American strong man made this assertion during his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York criticising OPEC and its allies for making oil price high, noting that high prices negatively affect the economies of the world.

Trump urged the consuming nations not to rely on OPEC as he emphasised on the importance of energy independence throughout the globe.

According to him, “OPEC and OPEC nations are as usual, ripping off the rest of the world, and I don’t like it, nobody should like it. We defend many of these nations for nothing and then they take advantage of us by giving us high oil prices. Not good.”

Trump called on other nations not to rely on OPEC, lamenting any dependence Germany has on Russia.

The U.S. President spoke against the backdrop of rising oil price which rose to a four-high of $81 per barrel and to $82 per barrel.

Oil prices plunged more than two per cent to a four-year high after Saudi Arabia and Russia ruled out any immediate increase in production. The refusal of OPEC to raise production negates the call by Trump for action to raise global supply.

Benchmark crude, Brent hit its highest since November 2014 at 80.94 dollars per barrel, up 2.14 dollars or 2.7 per cent, before easing to around 80.75 dollars. U.S. light was 1.25 dollars higher at 72.03 dollars.

And anlyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt, Germany, Carsten Fritsch asserted “This is the oil market’s response to the OPEC and allies’ refusal to step up its oil production.”

OPEC leader Saudi Arabia and its biggest oil-producer ally, Russia have rebuffed a demand from Trump for moves to cool the market.

However, Iranian Minister of Petroleum has welcomed OPECs decision effectively rebuffing President Donald Trump’s calls for a hike in oil output, saying, US empty dream to zero Iran’s oil exports would not realize. Bijan Zangeneh said, “The US seeks to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero even for a month, but that dream would not come to reality.”

Crude oil prices touched new four-year high as Brent crude – the international benchmark for crude oil – touched $82.20 a barrel.  That marked a level beyond the last peak witnessed in November 2014. Expectation of a tightening supply in the global oil market in the coming months has pushed crude oil prices higher, say analysts. The impending sanctions by the United States on Iran, the third-largest producer among OPEC, which will go into effect November 4, the rising domestic petrol and diesel prices, which touched new record highs in the backdrop of continued weakness in the rupee against the US dollar, and the high crude oil prices that tend to widen the current account deficit for India, which meets more than 80 per cent of its oil requirement through imports, contribute to high oil prices.

However, the International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts strong oil demand growth of 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2018 and 1.5 million bpd in 2019, and said in its most recent report that the market was tightening.

OPEC and non-OPEC including Russia, Oman and Kazakhstan, met and discussed a possible increase in crude output. The upshot of the gathering was that the group was in no rush to do so.

After the weekend’s meeting, the voices of those who foresee 100 dollars a barrel and compare the current backdrop to the 2007/2008 Bull Run are getting louder. Undoubtedly, the oil market is expected to be tight in coming months and if OPEC’s own numbers are to be believed, global oil inventories are to fall during the remainder of the year.

On the issue of OPEC and world crude oil, Richard Robinson, manager of the Ashburton Global Energy Fund, said higher prices are almost certainly on the cards. “We believe the combination of tight supply, healthy demand, and falling global inventories – down from already under-stored levels – and anemic spare capacity helps support an oil price that could end the year above 90 dollars.”

Analysts expect crude oil prices to stay under pressure on the back of a deadlock on supply between the top producers and the world’s largest economy.

Credit Rating Agency (CARE), gave its insight in its release of US crude data that it will be watched closely by oil investors going forward. “Given the current oil market scenario, we believe prices of crude oil are to rise around $78/bbl -$80/bbl unless the number of rigs deployed by the by the United States are increased,” the agency added.

Commodity merchants Trafigura and Mercuria have predicted that crude oil prices will touch $100 a barrel by the end of 2018. Bank of America Merrill Lynch lifted its average Brent price forecast for 2019 from $75 per barrel to $80 a barrel.

After the sanctions on Iran exports come into effect, oil prices are likely to go even higher given an expected drop in supply from major producers in Iran and Venezuela.

Besides, spot trade remained fairly slow as a major industry event in Asia kept activity in both Nigerian and Angolan cargoes subdued, and traders reported little in the way of offers.

NNPC CAUTIONS PETROLEUM PRODUCTS CONSUMERS AGAINST PANIC BUYING

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he Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has appealed to motorists and other consumers of petroleum products across the country not to engage in panic buying of products over the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) planned industrial action.

Dr. Baru said the Federal Government was seriously engaging the NLC on the issues it raised. In a release by NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, stated this fact. 

Ughamadu quoted the NNPC GMD as affirming that the Nation had 37- day petroleum Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, self- sufficiency, assuring that all the NNPC’s depots across the country, including the private ones engaged by the corporation on throughput basis, have an abundance of petroleum products to meet the needs of Nigerians.

The statement said all NNPC depot managers have been instructed to intensify products loading and other activities in their depots to avert any fallout of developments in respect of the NLC’s proposed strike.

Dr. Baru explained that the NNPC would continue to meet the products consumption needs of all Nigerians wherever they may be within the shores of the country.

IBADAN DISCO DRAGS UCH TO NERC OVER N217M INDEBTEDNESS

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he management of Ibadan Distribution Company has dragged the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) arbitration panel over N217 million indebtedness.

Manager, Business Hub Commercial of IBEDC, Bamidele Falade told the NERC panel sitting in Ibadan that the management decided to involve third party intervention because of the huge debts UCH is owing the distribution company.

Falade made it known that the company had appealed to the management of UCH on why they should pay their outstanding debt of N217 million but to no avail.

According to the IBEDC Commercial Manager, they are constrained in disconnecting their electricity due to the services they render but they have ignored paying bills despite several dialogue and appeal. In his words, "The huge outstanding debt is affecting our operations. UCH is the only hospital that has refused to pay the electricity debt among the hospitals within our franchise areas. We urge NERC as an independent arbitration to assist in imploring the UCH management to pay.”

Falade said that the hospital which monthly bill was between N20 million and N24 million enjoys 22-hours constant power supply daily. ''If we have the money they owe us, we will be comfortable. It will strengthen our operations. We appeal to the commission panel to instruct the UCH management to give definite timeline for the payment of the debt.

The IBEDC boss was of the view that the distribution company has increased effective power distributions to UCH yet, it refused to pay. Long-standing debts are the biggest worry of the electricity distribution company. The company is grappling with too many issues and UCH debt is a burden too big for the Disco to bear.

Reacting to the issue, Mr. Yemi Shiyanbola, Director of Administration, UCH admitted owing the debt but appealed to the Disco to give them ample time to settle the bills.

Shiyanbola said that the management was constrained due to the low subvention received from Federal Government. He added that the government had promised to take over payment of electricity bills of all federal hospitals, but this has not taken effect.

He lauded the management of IBEDC for the effective service and expressed appreciation for its patience toward the huge debt.

He said that the management was paid the sum of N143 million from January to September.

Shiyanbola added that, "We are not disputing the debt because it's accurate, but we are appealing to IBEDC for easy mode of billing because we are struggling to pay the little we could from our internal revenue generated because government subvention given to us is very low. Henceforth, we promise and agree that we will ensure 100 per cent payment of our monthly bills while we spread the outstanding debt for easy payment.”

He told the NERC panel that UCH will have a meeting and revert back to NERC on payment modality.

However, Mr Yinka Oseni, chairman of NERC arbitration panel told both parties to see NERC as an objective arbitrator, adding that the panel was there to mediate between the two parties.

Oseni said that the essence of the arbitration panel was to hear both parties and advise accordingly, while advising the parties to see themselves as partners in progress. He said: “I am happy that you admitted to owing the debt, this shows that there is no dispute. It is really a huge debt which will definitely affect the IBEDC operation. "We decided to invite both parties to the panel to give them fair hearing. The management of UCH should try and comply with the agreement reached on payment mode to avoid confrontation," he advised.

Oseni told UCH to ensure prompt monthly payment of its bill, while asking it to spread the other debt for payment convenience. He urged UCH management to report back to the panel within a month on its debt payment schedule.

EXERCISE RESTRAINT ON STRIKE ACTION, BARU APPEALS TO OIL WORKERS

                                          Dr. Maikanti Baru, NNPC GMD

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he Group Managing Director (GMD), of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Maikanti Baru, has urged oil workers under the auspices of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), to halt their planned industrial action over a labour dispute involving the Management of Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), a Multi-national Oil Company operating in Nigeria, and its staff.

NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, said, the corporation’s GMD had directed its Management to work with other stakeholders to resolve the issue raised by the leadership of the Oil Industry unions. 

The unions had recently called on the National Assembly, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the NNPC, the Department of State Services (DSS), to intercede in a brewing impasse between CNL and its staff in Nigeria over the company’s disclosure that the contracts with all its manpower services providers would expire by the end of October 2018.

Therefore, the Industry unions put its members on red alert fearing the new manpower services contracts may not serve the interests its members.

While thanking the oil workers for their exemplary conduct and show of support through the years, the GMD appealed to the unions not to do anything that would disrupt the industrial harmony that has pervaded the sector, saying the gains of recent past, if care is not taken, can be frittered away inadvertently.

Dr. Baru expressed optimism that the current dispute would soon be amicably settled. 

Meanwhile, the NNPC has allayed the concerns of motorists and other consumers of petroleum products over possible hiccups in supply in parts of the country due to the oil workers’ ultimatum, assuring that NNPC holds adequate storage of petroleum products across the country to take care of national demand.

OILSERV SIGNS JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENT WITH GEPETROL

Emeka Okwuosa, Group Chief Executive Officer, OILSERV

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ilserv Limited, a leading indigenous oil and gas EPCIC Company in Nigeria recently signed a Joint Venture (JV) agreement with GEpetrol to expand its global footprint.

The JV Agreement, which resulted in the formation of OILSERV EQUATORIAL GUINEA S.L, was signed between Oilserv Limited and GEpetrol at Malabo, on July 12, 2018.

GEpetrol is state owned Oil Company of Equatorial Guinea that commenced operations between August 27, 2001 and January 2002. The company is the custodian of the state’s interest and remains at the forefront of innovation and strategic partnerships in the country’s oil and gas sector.

In the upstream division, GEpetrol manages Equatorial Guinea’s participation in petroleum contracts, markets the company’s share of production including oil service activities. In the midstream aspect, GEpetrol is a partner in the country’s Liquified Natural Gas (LPG) Company and other ventures. The state owned company also participates in general commercial ventures that enhances economic development of Equatorial Guinea.

The JV Partnership is a collective strategic thinking aimed at driving inbound investment into Equatorial Guinea Oil and Gas landscape and develop necessary local technical capacity to support investment aimed at repositioning national economy.

In the collaboration, Oilserv brings its vast years of technical experience and successful delivery of projects to replicate its achievements in Equatorial Guinea oil and gas industry through partnership with GEpetrol.

The Chairman, Group Chief Executive Officer of Oilserv Group, Engr. Emeka Okwuosa, spoke about the partnership: ‘’As the clear leader in the industry today in Nigeria, we are always looking at innovative approaches to expand our business. This Joint Venture offers Oilserv Limited a strategic foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing economy and the third largest Oil producing country in sub-Saharan Africa. The joint venture partnership will benefit immensely from our experience and capabilities in navigating local terrains, customs, others and would create more value for the government and people of Equatorial Guinea.”

On his own part during the signing agreement, Director General/CEO of GEpetrol, Senōr Antonio Oburo Ondo said ‘’I am delighted to welcome yet another global brand to GEpetrol, especially a respected and recognized name in the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry. This new partnership is a testament of the government’s continuous efforts in encouraging private sector participation with greater economic liberalization policies and the creation of favourable investment climate and enabling framework.”

According to Ondo, “GEpetrol sees a massive repositioning support in Oilserv in achieving its corporate objectives and national aspirations and had authorized a coordinated forward plan to actualize the joint venture partnership with Oilserv as an integral part of the government efforts at repositioning the national economy by stemming rampant capital flight and boosting job creation in the country”.

The GEpetrol boss is confident that the JV will fit into Oilserv business internationalization model for Africa and Equatorial Guinea which will also transcend to Central Africa sub-region.

CHEVRON: THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL INVESTMENTS

Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has been operating in Nigeria’s exploration space for over five decades. The International Oil Company (IOC), is the third largest oil producer in Nigeria and one of the IOCs that has invested tremendously in terms of social intervention projects.

As part of its social intervention project, Chevron partners with the Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) in Lagos, to train journalists and communication professionals. PAU School of Media and Communication (SMC), has a major obligation, which is to train members of the fourth estate of the realm and Communication professionals in Advanced Writing and Reporting Skills (AWAReS).

In SMC, journalists and communication experts are nurtured and further enhanced in their writing skills to report objectively. The programme has been for a while and Chevron decides to choose PAU because it is an institution that stands for quality and excellence.

The greatest rival for investment is what its stakeholders expect and there can be no critical stakeholder than the media. Chevron reveres the media as a critical stakeholder. It is an evolution that the company understands as it gives its support. The multinational wants the media to build capacity.

Since the inception of SMC in PAU, Chevron has sponsored over 90 journalists that have been trained. This is an achievement the oil company has contributed in raising the standard of journalism especially in accurate reportage in Nigeria.

Participants and graduates of SMC in PAU, have become better journalists and communication experts with tremendous improvements.

Chevron takes its role as a corporate member of the society seriously and one of the key things that it focuses on, is human capital development which is very critical. The company as an institution, basically, is to produce oil but, it is also willing to extend its tentacles to make a difference in every community it belongs to, in doing this, it chooses human capital development as key element for investment.

Apart from producing oil, Chevron has other numerous social investments in the communities it operates. The company has a social investment which is an investment to ensure that the community benefits.   

In terms of social impact assessment, the company assesses the impact of its existence on the community and environment. It looks at the impact of community in the company’s business. For instance, the Lekki Conservative Centre (LCC) managed by Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) is supported by Chevron. Before its support, the environment was like a virgin land. Presently, it has been developed. The company contributed immensely to keep a legacy which has impacted positively.  

Chevron’s environment has also impacted on the company with ease of doing business. It engages with various stakeholders, government, legislative arm and traditional institutions.

On scholarship, through its social intervention project, many students have graduated with reasonable grades through Chevron’s support. The Agbami scholarship scheme has produced many graduates.

Health is not left out in the intervention process, the multinational has invested heavily on HIV/AIDS prevention with a River-Boat Clinic, a clinic on a boat that goes around riverine communities where it has its operational base in Escarvos, Delta state. It has been an encouraging outlets to provide medical services to local riverine communities who do not have access to medical facilities.

There is also malaria awareness campaign which transcends Africa. The company emphasizes on deworming with virile health infrastructures.

The IOC has other social interventions project like arts, sports and road safety campaign. The road safety awareness is to inform people on somethings they may consider inconsequential that could jeopardize their lives with fatal consequence. The company leverages on partnership to ensure that road signs are on the roads for utmost safety.

With regards to local community content, Chevron considers the aspect of its business which is derived from the local community where it operates with utmost priority. The company ensures that local content is localized so that those who share proximity with it benefit from its oil business.

Chevron flagship programme known as Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU), is a multi-stakeholder articulate partnership model for community engagement and sustainable development. It is a direct intervention programme to enhance community-driven initiatives. GMoU provides avenue for communities to come into clusters and drive their development. The process has given room for political and leadership development. Most communities are using it as a negotiation tool with government. The communities are able to strategize with developmental plans on how it can correlate with Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta and other institutions.

The GMoU has given people a voice with enhanced plan on how to develop their communities including developmental projects that are needed in certain areas. Every community knows its needs and what benefits it. This has prevented wastefulness and effective management of resources. The communities administer their projects and provide facilities of economic importance while Chevron supports.

Before the GMoU initiative, Chevron was involved directly in community infrastructures which did not create value to the communities because some of the projects were over engineered. This has not been helpful to the would-be beneficiaries. Ever since the advent of GMoU, communities have been able to handle the process which has created a win-win relationship for Chevron and its hosts.

Another milestone of Chevron social intervention project is the science teacher initiative. To get teachers and National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) members in rural areas had always been a challenge. Hence, there are no science teachers in some communities. Chevron through its intervention programme sought out teachers from NYSC, encourage them with incentives in order to close the gap in communities. It has been a tremendous support in most of the schools with the availability of science teachers.

In each state of Nigeria, the DeepWater, which is considered as a national asset, has an intervention programme that transcends the country without leaving any state behind. DeepWater programme has provided Chest Clinic, Science Laboratory, Electronic Library and other social intervention programmes in all the states of the federation including the north-east. The DeepWater intervention programme is making a national impact.

The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), another initiative from Chevron focuses on areas where the company might have some constraints. It has to do with larger issues in the Niger Delta beyond its area of operations. PIND addresses systemic issues such as: agriculture, capacity building and to ensure that Niger Delta is given a face lift in other areas.

PIND initiative has made Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) to partner with Chevron and through collaborative efforts, solutions brought to Niger Delta with positive impact.

MINIMUM WAGE: LABOUR BEGINS WARNING STRIKE WEDNESDAY MIDNIGHT

The Organised Labour says it will commence nationwide warning strike over the non-implementation of the new National Minimum Wage, effective from midnight of Wednesday, September 26.

The General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Peter Ozo-Eson,  stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

It would be recalled that organised labour has accused the Federal Government of stalling the negotiation by failing to mention a figure as a new minimum wage for workers in the country.

The organised labour has also on Sept. 12 issued the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum insisting that the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage should conclude its work within the stipulated time frame.

According to Ozo-Eson, this is to inform you that the Organised Labour shall commence nationwide warning strike in respect of the non-implementation of the National Minimum Wage, effective from midnight of Wednesday, 26th September, 2018.

“All Industrial Unions and all State Councils are to commence mobilisation immediately for an effective strike action, nationwide. A formal notification letter will be sent later in the day, ‘’ he said.

It was gathered that the leadership of the NLC, Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the United Labour Congress (ULC) will be having a joint meeting on Wednesday to conclude arrangements on the commencement of the nationwide warning strike slated for Thursday.

NIGERIA LOOKING TO BOOST OIL OUTPUT TO 2.3M BPD IN 2019

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) will act to balance the market after oil prices hit their highest in four years, but its options may be limited by available spare capacity, Malam Mele Kyari, head of crude oil marketing at Nigeria’s state oil firm NNPC and also the country’s OP

EC representative said on Wednesday.

Oil prices surged this week on uncertainty over the global supply outlook following U.S. sanctions on Iran’s oil exports and also as Saudi Arabia and Russia ruled out any immediate boost to output. Kyari also said Nigeria planned to increase its crude oil, condensate output by 100,000 barrels per day by the end of the year, up from about 2 million bpd currently.

The country’s current crude oil production is about 1.7 million bpd, he said. In 2019, the African producer is aiming for an average output of 2.3 million bpd by boosting output from existing fields as well as starting new production from an ultra deepwater field, Kyari said. Kyari was in Singapore to launch the new Egina crude grade with field operator French oil major Total at APPEC.

GROOMING FUTURE LEADERS FOR UNCONQUERABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

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ammoth crowd thronged the special youth programme that was held at the Deeper Life Bible Church International Headquarters in Lagos. The theme of the event tagged “The Gathering of Unstoppable Achievers” attracted huge population of young people in secondary schools across Lagos. The event was organized barely a month after the National Youth School Camp which also attended by youth across Nigeria.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of occasion, Professor Pat Utomi, enjoined the youths to set a vision that will be achievable in order to actualize their goals in life. He made it known that preparation is ultimate for young people so as to be visionary leaders in future. He counselled the young ones to have spiritual knowledge to create a new world.

As a country in dire need of leaders and entrepreneurs, a great army of leaders and unconquerable youths is the way forward, Utomi added.

The General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church, Pastor W.F Kumuyi, told the youths that the purpose of the event is to groom and make unconquerable youths successful in life, “We are here for remodeling of unconquerable youths.”

Kumuyi told the youths that a great promise awaits them with unmistakable victory and untouchable achievements from God. Taking his first scriptural reading from Psalm 144 in verse 12 “That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as cornerstones, polished after the similitude of a palace.” He told the youths that disgrace, defeats, failures are out of their lives. Pastor Kumuyi enjoined the youths to forget about past defeats and focus on God. God will liberate their lives from obstacles that might hinder them from progress.

The General Superintendent assured the enthralling audience that all their prayers will be answered by God as they put their trust in him. However, there must be sincere surrender to God, “A new life has started and nothing will take them back to the old ways”.

The man of God noted that for secondary school students to progress, they need “Extra time to study, extra time measures, extra time patience and extra time hard work.”

Praying for the youths, he said all the meandering and zigzags in their lives will be straight forward and “Every I cannot have been taking away from their lives.”

In his second sermon titled “Great Exploits for Unconquerable Youths”, Pastor Kumuyi told the youths that to progress towards exceptional achievements, they need support from God as the Lord will release his extra ordinary power on them. He encouraged them to “Rise and shine” because the glory of God has risen upon them. The Pastor made the youths to understand that their yokes have been broken, prayers now answered, defeat gone while God has made them unconquerable achievers.

Being a man of God who is concerned about spiritual matters, Kumuyi made altar call and many youths responded positively.

Proprietors and owners of secondary schools attended the event with workshops to aid it.

No doubt the “victorious youths of this generation” got spiritual and physical blessings in the one-day programme as they were groomed to be leaders of tomorrow.

NNPC RECORDS ₦17.16BN TRADING SURPLUS, UP 46%

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igeria’s state owned oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has consolidated on its operational performance with a trading surplus of ₦17.16bn in the month of April, 2018.

NNPC Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, disclosed this in a statement, said this was part of the highlight of the corporation’s Monthly Financial and Operations Report for April, 2018.

The report, the 33^rd edition since NNPC commenced the publication of its financial and operations report on a monthly basis as part of efforts to instill a culture of transparency and keep stakeholders and the general public informed of its activities, indicated a ₦5.43bn improvement representing 46.29 per cent on the trading surplus recorded in the previous month of March, 2018.

According to the report released in Abuja, the trading surplus was achieved through a combined higher performance by the upstream, midstream (refineries) and downstream sectors as well as a reduction in Corporate Headquarters’ operational expenditure.

The report stated thus, “This enhanced performance is attributable to robust revenues from sales of crude oil and petroleum products by NPDC and PPMC as well as the upsurge in refineries’ performance, particularly in the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC).”

On the gas production and supply front, the report indicated that the average daily production for April, 2018, stood at 8,054.46 billion cubic feet (bcf), out of which an average of 835.27 million metric standard cubic feet (mmscf), equivalent of 3,283 megawatts of electricity, was supplied to the power sector daily during the period under review.

“The result when compared with that of April, 2017, implies an increase of 496mw of power generated relative to same period last year”, the report also stated.

It further showed that in the period under review, a total of 1.61 billion litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) was supplied by NNPC in furtherance of the zero fuel queue policy of the Federal Government.

The NNPC said it recorded a 48.21 per cent reduction in the rate of pipeline vandalism which fell to 166 from 224 vandalized points in the previous month.

According to the report, the Aba-Enugu pipeline segment accounted for 78 vandalized points, representing 84.78 per cent of total vandalized points on the nation’s network of products pipelines. 

   

NNPC CLOSE TO WRAPPING UP FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS ON AKK GAS PROJECT

Engr. Saidu Mohammed, COO Gas & Power of NNPC and Mr. Tony Attah, MD, NLNG

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he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) made it known that it was wrapping up funding arrangements on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project.

Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, who disclosed this while speaking at the Nigerian Day during the 30th edition of Gas Technology Conference in Barcelona, Spain, explained that tremendous progress was recorded towards securing funding for the project during the last visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Beijing, China.

Dr. Baru, who was represented at the event by NNPC Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power, Engr. Saidu Mohammed, revealed that the corporation had gone far in negotiating the terms of funding as well as the best payback structure for the project, affirming that the financial partners were willing to collaborate with the corporation on the matter.

The AKK gas pipeline is designed to enable gas connectivity between the East, West and North, which is currently inadequate. It would also enable gas supply and utilization to key commercial centres in the Northern corridor of Nigeria with the attendant positive spin-off on power generation and industrial growth.

The GMD said the ground-breaking ceremony for the project was near, explaining that Nigeria was focused on expanding its critical gas infrastructure such as pipelines which would lead to a gas grid covering the entire country.

Dr. Baru noted, “Once you have the whole nation covered with a gas grid, industries will naturally spring up along the way and litter the entire country. That is our target in the long run.”

The GMD described the coming of Train 7 of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) as a “big bang” that would usher in new developments for Nigeria’s energy sector and expand the nation’s economy, adding that the project was also capable of unlocking new vistas for country’s LNG potentials.

Dr. Baru, who said the corporation had been looking forward to the FID on Train 7 in the last ten years, revealed that the wait would soon be over, even as he commended the Federal Government and the various shareholders for their support towards the NLNG project.

He said Nigeria was looking outwards with its gas resources because God has blessed the country with abundant reserves.

“We cannot consume out our gas resources in the next 50 years, even if we generate as high as 40,000mw for power. We are happy that in the NLNG is a credible company capable of competing in the international arena,” Dr. Baru added.

Established in 1989 to harness Nigeria's vast natural gas resources and produce Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs) for export, the NLNG is owned by the NNPC (49%), Shell (25.6%), Total (15%) and Eni (10.4%).

It currently has six trains in operation, while the Final Investment Decision (FID) on its Train 7 is expected to be taken in December 2018, a move that will increase the company’s production capacity from 22 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 30 MTPA.

Dr. Baru stated that beyond the LNG business, Nigeria was looking at other ways of marketing its enormous gas resources such as the establishment of a gas hub which would lead to the springing up of fertilizer, petrochemical and other gas-based industries in the Niger Delta and across the entire country.

On his part, the Managing Director of the NLNG, Mr. Tony Attah described Train 7 as the next big thing not only in Nigeria’s gas industry, but also in the global gas arena.

He stated that the company had made tremendous progress on Train 7, assuring that all the shareholders remained ever committed to supply of gas feedstock for the project.

“We are here at Gastech to assure the world that this time around, we mean business. And with the support from Government and our shareholders, Train 7 will be a success,” Attah concluded.

The Gas Technology Conference (Gastech) is the world’s most significant meeting place for upstream, midstream and downstream natural gas and LNG professionals where over 30,000 of participants convene to do business.