NLNG CSR: TRANSCENDING RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS BOARD

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he Centre for Petroleum Information (CPI) held its Public Symposium tagged Oil & Gas: Sustainability and Communities in Lagos. CPI is one of the oil and gas industry associations that has effectively disseminate information about the industry in different fora across Nigeria using virile mechanism to project its positive ideas.

At a Public Symposium, foremost natural gas company, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) showcased its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).  The gas company whose mission is to market, produce, deliver liquefied natural gas to buyers safely, reliably and profitably in order to grow the company so as to attain its full potentials explained vividly its CSR initiatives.

Through CSR, NLNG has won national appreciation and support from stakeholders which has generated goodwill across board. The gas company has enhanced capacity building, stimulate community with development which has also engendered community-driven development in Bonny Island, its operational base.

In terms of Community Relations project and infrastructure, NLNG has complement government’s efforts and developed its operational areas. Its CSR initiatives includes: education, health, infrastructures, enterprise development and agriculture. The construction of Bonny-Bodo Road which cost N120 billion is 50-50 co-sponsorship with the Federal Government of Nigeria.  

NLNG came into national consciousness out of oblivion to public domain when it introduced the Nigeria Prize for Literature and Science. Also, the University support programme with Pan-National CSR impact.

As part of its CSR, there is public endearment, solid reputation, educative reporting of its activities through the media and Pan-National CSR initiatives with significant development focus.

Historically, in 1998, NLNG Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) became the Oil & Gas industry reference in community development and relationship. Its development is primarily driven by pre-investment social impacts. The company’s strategic review of its CSR was in 2013 where it envisioned it host community to become Nigeria’s “Dubai”.

The indigenous gas company adopted the community driven strategy and empowered them to own, drive and oversee development. NLNG contributes fund for development activities only.

Besides, as part of its sustainability project for communities, by 2040, the company will be involved in enhanced community driven activities, shared responsibility, sustained projects, capacity building and sustained utilities which will be funded annually. It will also empower communities to deliver their needs with contributory funds.

NLNG has benefited immensely due to its puissant strategic CSR initiatives which transcend across all levels. Astoundingly, there is no distraction of production to date either by militants or its host community on like its counterparts in oil production that have experienced one obstruction or the other. The company has never been distracted through attacks on its installations and facilities.

The host community endeared the company as mutual understanding exist between both parties. NLNG acknowledges all levels of government in Nigeria with support. It is ranked as the best indigenous company with accolades won all over the country.

Key success factors of NLNG includes; listening carefully to stakeholder needs and learning from other people’s mistakes. In terms of integrity, the gas company says and does what it means. It keeps promises and put the country first in sustainable development and national good. With regards to accountability, NLNG imbibes corporate values and exhibits it as well.

The gas giant key enablers is visionary and proactive leadership through engagement strategy with collaborative and cooperative community.

No doubt, the company’s CSR initiative will continue to stand among others as impeccable finery. An initiative that leads while others follow.

AQUALIS OFFSHORE COMPLETES EGINA JOB

                                        EGINA FPSO

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qualis offshore has successfully completed its position keeping role for the Egina FPSO, which is now safely moored in Nigerian waters.

The Offshore Company’s team of position keeping masters on board the FPSO first oversaw the installation of the four first mooring lines, which took the FPSO to storm safe condition. The team then continued their role for the installation of four further mooring lines.

In total, the Egina FPSO is now spread moored on 16 mooring lines (4×4). Aqualis Offshore delivered the position keeping work as a subcontractor to EPCIC contractor for the FPSO, Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI).

WHY WE RESORT TO CONTRACTOR-FINANCING OF PIPELINE PROJECTS

- BARU

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he Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has explained why it has resorted to contractor-financing of its pipeline and other facilities development in recent times in the Industry.

Delivering the Keynote speech at the Nigerian International Pipeline Technology and Security Conference (NIPITECS 2018) in Abuja, the NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, stated that the recourse was to get around the prevalent funding challenge in the country, saying this has enabled the corporation to aggressively build the pipeline infrastructure within the Gas Master Plan as exemplified in the recent award of the Ajaokuta-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) gas pipeline and all ongoing downstream pipeline infrastructure rehabilitation effort.

The NNPC GMD who was represented at the event by Dr. Babatunde Adeniran, Chief Operating Officer, Ventures, affirmed that pipelines remained the cheapest way of moving products across any distance, noting however that pipeline operation and construction in Nigeria had been an expensive undertaking.

He challenged members of the Pipeline Professionals Association of Nigeria (PLAN) and other stakeholders to proffer solutions that could lead to a dramatic change and expansion of pipeline business in Nigeria.

Dr. Maikanti Baru said such solution must be able to resolve the challenge which has hindered the growth and viability of pipeline venture in the country.

The GMD explained that emphasis should not be on what has been done in the past but to seek quicker, better, cheaper and more effective ways of how things should be done to achieve the feat.

‘’The poser I will like the conference to address is: Is cost really an inhibitor or is it the security challenges or financial models that are not properly structured and above all how do we make the pipeline business a financially viable investment?’’ he said.

Continuing, the GMD probed: “How do we build partnership with the required technical expertise to assemble new technology based-industries that are cheap to operate and can deliver products that are both locally and internationally marketable?”

He also wondered if Nigeria had a financially capable environment that could provide funds at rates that would be competitive and low enough to produce adequate returns.

He averred that the answer to these posers would enable NNPC restructure and develop policies that would encourage infrastructure development in the country.

Earlier in his welcome address, Engr. Geoff Onuoha, Chairman of PLAN, expressed delight at the high level of support accorded the association by the NNPC Management, assuring that the pipeline professionals would not only pick up the gauntlet and tackle the challenge posed to the group by the NNPC GMD, but would continue to work with other stakeholders to ensure the in-country viability of pipeline business.

Engr. Chidi Izuwah, the Acting Director General/Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, commended the NNPC Management for embracing the contractor-financing model in the AKK project, noting that such an option should be replicated wholesomely in respect of other mega industry projects.

PETROL PRICE STILL ABOVE FIXED RATE IN CERTAIN STATES

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he price of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol, increased by 0.1 percent month-on-month (MoM) to N146.90 in August 2018 from N146.80 in July 2018, due to slight edge above official pump price of N145/litre recorded in some states.

According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) yesterday, stated: “Average price paid by consumers for premium motor spirit (petrol) increased by 1.7 year-on-year and 0.1 percent month-on-month to N146.90 in August 2018 from N146.80 in July 2018.

“States with the highest average price of PMS were Borno (N157), Kebbi (N152.94) and Kwara (N152.86). States with the lowest average price of PMS were Ekiti (N144.23), KatsinaN144.08) and Bauchi (N143.89).”

The development is worrisome as the functions of the two major regulatory agencies, Petroleum Pricing Products Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) are put to question.

The DPR has sealed up some petrol stations across Nigeria for selling above the pump price of N145 while PPPRA has maintained its stand that the product remained fixed. But recent development shows that they might have gone to sleep leaving marketers to have a field day by selling above the stipulated price.

Although, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has allayed fears on scarcity of the product with assurance that PMS remains N145, if the unscrupulous marketers are not checked, there will continue to be disparity in PMS prices across Nigeria. 

PRICE OF DOMESTIC GAS INCREASES MARGINALLY IN AUGUST

– NBS

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he National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said the average cost of refilling a five kilogramme (kg) cylinder of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) used domestically for cooking increased to N2,005.14 in August from N2,001.45 recorded in July.

The NBS disclosed this in its August 2018 “Liquefied Petroleum Gas (Cooking Gas) Price Watch” released recently. According to the report, the price increased by 2.17 per cent month-on-month and 3.19 per cent year-on-year in the period under review.

The Bureau revealed that the average price for refilling a 12.5kg cylinder for cooking gas increased in August to N4, 366.48 from N4, 244.35 in July. It said the price increased by 2.17 per cent month-on-month and 3.19 per cent year-on-year in the period under review.

However, stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, have shown concern about the low awareness of LPG in the country. They advocated for more public awareness across Nigeria.

LPG is advantageous on several grounds ranging from health and clean environment through the use of proper energy. The danger could be avoided and managed as well, contrary to fears associated with gas, which is believed to cause colossal damage especially when it is used for domestic purpose.

DE-EMPHASISE MONEY IN POLITICS TO REDUCE VOTE BUYING, SELLING 

- PROF. SONAIYA

A presidential aspirant, Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, has called for the transformation of the nation’s politics, such that money will no longer play prominent roles.

Sonaiya, who is seeking the presidential ticket of the KOWA Party, made the call while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Wednesday.

Reacting to INEC’s ban on the use of mobile phones by voters in polling booths during the Osun gubernatorial poll, she urged the commission to tackle the issue of money and vote-buying head-on.

NAN reports that INEC had come up with the ban in order to reduce the risk of vote buying and selling.

“The ban is needed, but it is like attacking the symptoms and not really getting to treat the sickness; but of course, that is just scratching the surface.

“The real issue is how will we be able to change this money politics that we have been playing in Nigeria? “It is a much broader issue and I think ultimately, it will have to do with making politics not so profitable.

“It is because people know that when they become senators, governors, they have access to huge sums of money. So, they don’t mind spending the money in order to get there, because they know they will surely get it back. For us as a country, it is unreasonable for a senator to earn over N25 million per month. So, these are the real issues we need to address,’’ Sonaiya said.

The aspirant, who is also a professor of African Language and Applied Linguistics, suggested the cutting down of salaries of political office holders.

“Public offices should not be made to look like a place to recoup money spent in politicking and campaigns. We must really de-emphasise that; but I think that we must run a system where people are paid reasonable salaries,’’ she said.

(NAN)

SECURITY AGENCIES, INEC WILL DETERMINE NIGERIA’S SURVIVAL BEYOND 2019

- MARKAFI

Senator Ahmed Markafi

For Nigeria to survive after the 2019 elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies must be objective and non-partisan in the way they conduct themselves at 2019 general elections.

Expressing his concern, former National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, disclosed his worries in Kaduna.

Markafi warned that there would be crisis if INEC does not conduct free, fair and credible elections and if security agencies are not professional in their conduct.

According to him, “The moment INEC and security agencies are partisan, that will spell doom for the country.” The conduct of INEC and security agencies, so far, is less than impressive.

He said the conduct of the government agencies could spell doom as their action or inaction could threaten Nigeria’s peace and corporate existence.

Makarfi also called on the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government to desist from intimidating and harassing opposition governors.

He said the Federal Government should not use the comfort of power to denigrate PDP governors or aspirants, adding that the opposition members must be allowed to work according to the dictates of the constitution of the land.

He said the interest of Nigeria was more than that of any individual or group, pointing out that the way and manner the electoral process was managed would determine the fate of Nigeria after the polls.

The two-term-senator said: “INEC and the security agencies must know that the fate of this country squarely lies on their shoulders. It is not even about history being kind to them. It is about how they will end up. Therefore, they must conduct free, fair and credible elections. I was shocked when I saw the news in an online medium that the 2019 elections may be postponed, but thank God, I later saw INEC coming out to deny making such pronouncement. That notwithstanding that was the most dangerous news I ever read, that was very reckless. You see, the interest of Nigeria is larger than interest of any of us. How we conduct this election and how we manage this electoral process will largely determine the fate of Nigeria.”

The former Kaduna state governor while cautioning the APC government against intimidation and harassment of opposition parties, said it was unacceptable that the so-called fight against corruption was being selective.

According to Markafi, “When you see some moves like freezing of accounts, monitoring of opposition governors and you never heard where an APC governor’s account is being frozen, it is bad. If governors do certain things, is it only PDP governors? The APC governors may be doing worse but you never hear that happening to any APC governor. While elections are approaching, you don’t hear of APC members, aspirants’ accounts being frozen but here (in PDP), even accounts of family members of aspirants are being frozen. They (APC) should remember that, there is tomorrow because what goes around comes around. A sauce for the goose is a sauce for the gander. If you are doing anything to anybody, do it to everybody. Our governors must be left alone to work, our aspirants must be left alone to do their politicking and campaign unmolested like other aspirants.”

The presidential hopeful urged Nigerians to speak out and not to remain complacent over alleged wrongs being perpetrated by the APC government. From what I am seeing, I am not comfortable and if Nigerians keep quiet, then it is like harbouring what is wrong. People must speak out.

For me, I think INEC and security agencies have a lot to do.  And so far, I am not impressed but they must remember that the fate of Nigeria lies squarely on their shoulders.

He spoke further “I am cautioning APC, they should not be smiling and grinning. We must never burst this bubble. They should not be carried away by the comfort of power, and think that they are immune from calamity.

We are all not immune from calamity; nobody knows when calamity will come. We all have a stake. We all have responsibility, be you PDP, APC or any other political party and especially INEC and security agencies and other agencies that are used to muzzle down the opposition. They must remember that the country comes first, not any government or political party.”