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FG Strategises for Post COVID-19 Oil, Gas Sector Era–Sylva

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The Minister of State for petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva says the federal government is strategising to ensure efficient oil and gas sector in the post COVID-19 era.

Sylva made this known while presenting a keynote address at the 13th Annual International Conference of the National Association of Energy Economics (NAEE) in Abuja yesterday.

The theme of the Conference is “Energy and Petroleum in post COVID-19 world’’

“Our strategy to strengthen the Nigerian oil and gas industry in a post-COVID-19 world is to transform our national oil company into a diversified energy holding company.

“This will enable us respond swiftly to the twin challenges of a future crash in crude oil prices and decarbonization, by moving rapidly to becoming an energy holding company with more diverse interests.

“Consequently, we have strategically focused on our vast natural gas resources, as a critical transition fuel to help battle global warming and function as bridge between the dominant fossil fuel of today and the renewable energy of tomorrow.

“Natural gas has the intrinsic ability to meet the increasing global requirement for cleaner primary energy use, while at the same time, enabling much needed domestic industrialisation for rapid economic growth in very few endowed countries, such as Nigeria,’’ he said.

He noted that substituting traditional white products with gas would cushion the effect of the deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector and stimulate economic growth.

He added that it would further improve Nigeria’s energy mix; drive investments and create enormous job opportunities for Nigeria.

“Recently we declare 2021 to 2030, the decades of gas in Nigeria, after making laudable achievements and successes in 2020.

“In order to effectively develop our gas sector, we have proposed fiscal incentives that would attract investments in the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. We can assure you that the fiscal provisions would be one of the most attractive in Africa.

“COVID-19 pandemic and progressive decline in crude oil prices in 2020, has made it imperative for Nigeria to aggressively pursue the diversification of its portfolio to non-oil businesses so as to cushion the effect of a future crash in crude oil prices and position the oil and gas industry for growth in a post-COVID world,‘’ he added.

The Minister further said that the post COVID-19 world would see the oil and gas industry accelerate its transition towards cleaner energy sources, products and service delivery and clear paradigm shift from traditional business models.

“The Pandemic has created a perfect storm that along with ongoing needs to reduce carbon emissions will transform the industry.

The future survival and success of many in the industry depend not only in achieving cleaner energy source but also the ability to deliver lower cost solutions,’’ he said.

In her address, National President of the NAEE, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, also warned that the Nigerian petroleum industry might be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially as the industry currently lacks the capacity to change and adapt to global trends.

According to her, Nigeria presently stands at a critical moment as a petroleum dependent nation.

She added that there was an urgent need to critically understand and unravel energy and petroleum issues in a post-COVID-19 world and see how best the country could weather the inevitable storm.

“What is worrying is that the Nigerian petroleum industry has so far exhibited a worrying incapacity to change and adapt, as evidenced by about 20 years of petroleum reform that has refused to even take the first step of enacting badly needed legislation.

“This is tragic, because even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Nigeria had ceased to be a beautiful bride, several new producers were springing up in Africa, and all over the world and the green movement is becoming a reality,” she said

Also, Executive Secretary of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund, (PTDF), Dr Bello Gusau, noted that the COVID-19 pandemic had significantly impacted on its programmes, especially as most of its human capital development programmes were conducted overseas and through physical meetings.

Gusau, who was represented by General Manager, Strategic Planning of the PTDF, Mr Jide Adebulehin, explained that in the second quarter of 2020, many of these programmes were severely disrupted due to physical distancing protocols and closure of airports among others.

“The prospect of declining revenue from oil, high inflation, high cost of materials and the advent of a recession have impacted the development of new infrastructural projects and completion of ongoing projects is now at a very high cost.

“In addition, there has been reduced opportunity for industry stakeholders’ collaboration and linkages.

“However, to mitigate these challenges, the fund had to quickly review its operations to eradicate manual processes to pave way for new automated flow work that are safer and efficient.

“It is necessary that as 2020 winds up, the various challenges should be considered as learning points for players in the petroleum industry,” he said.

NEWS

FCT HOS: Why President Tinubu Extends Atang’s Tenure By 6 Months

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the extension of Atang Udo Samuel, as the the Head of Service, HOS,  for Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, in order to stabilise and consolidate the ongoing process in repositioning, the administrative structure of FCTA.


In a memo that was obtained by Daily Asset, and signed on behalf of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, by the Chief of Staff, to the Minister, Chidi Amadi, in Abuja.

The memo stated that Atang’s  tenure was extended for six months with effect from Wednesday 27th March, 2024.
The memo reads, “I am directed to refer to the above subject matter and to inform you that His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has graciously approved the extension of your service for a period of six months with effects from Wednesday 27th March 2024 when you would have attained the mandatory age of 60 years.

“The extension of your service premised on the need to stabilise and consolidate the ongoing process to reposition the administrative structure of FCT Administration occasioned by the recent inauguration of FCT civil service commission”.
It would be recalled that Forty Seven years after creation, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) finally got a Civil Service Commission, a few days ago .
On that same day, FCT Head of Service, HOS, Udo Samuel Atang, and ten Permanent Secretaries chosen from Directors of the FCT Administration, took their oaths of office.
And on Wednesday 27th of March, the HOS attained the mandatory age of 60 years for retirement in civil service.

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FGGC Benin Emerges Winner of 2023 National Senior Secondary Schools’ Debate

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By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government Girls College, Benin has emerged overall winner of the 2023 National Senior Secondary Schools’ Debate Competition.
This remarkable achievement came after fierce competition from schools across the six geo-political zones of the country.


The grand finale of the competition was organised by the Senior Secondary Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja on Tuesday.

The topic debated on was “Democracy has done more harm than good to the nation.”
The students of FGGB Benin impressed the judges with their outstanding performances, securing the overall first position, while Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba and Federal Government College, Potiskum, secured the second and third position respectively.

The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, said the competition was aimed at igniting the student’s quest of academic excellence and the growth of critical thinking abilities.
Sununu, represented by his Special Adviser on Project, Mr Rufai Adamu, charged the students on their continued contributions to the intellectual enrichment of the society.
“The debate exercise is an effective method for developing students’ critical thinking skills as well as a spirit of inquiry and reasoned conversation.
“The topics discussed throughout this competition have spanned a wide spectrum of issues, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the world we live in.
“From socio-economic challenges to environmental concerns, the students have demonstrated an impressive ability to grapple with multifaceted issues and present well-reasoned arguments.
“As we witness the grand finale, let us remember that education is not merely a means to an end but a lifelong journey of discovery and growth.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that the education system continues to foster critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of civic duty,” he said.
In her remarks, Hajia Binta Abdulkadir, the event convener, Director, Senior Secondary Education Department in the ministry,  said the competition was designed to promote effective critical thinking and development of excellent oral and written communication skills.
“As we all know that debate promotes critical thinking, boosts confidence and promotes effective communication skills, encourages teamwork, It stimulates independent research, supports democratic values and tolerates opposing views.
“It increases knowledge sharing and professional attributes to mould and bring about a successful career. It equally fosters a sense of unity among students by encouraging open, respectful and constructive debates on a topic of national importance,” she said.
Meanwhile, the President General, Unity School Old Students Association (USOSA), Michael Magaji, appealed to the ministry to go beyond debating but introduced a global initiative just as the UN global club to bring students to the current levels of global thinking.
 Highlights of the competition featured cash awards as FGGC Benin got a cash prize of N150,000 while FSTC Yaba got a cash prize of N100,000.
Other consolation prizes were given to the students by Cisco Network Academy, Skool Media and USOSA and the Ministry of Education.

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We’re Meeting Our Targets on Airport -Kuje Road Construction – Wike

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By Laide Akinboade, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, haom Wednesday,  expressed satisfaction with the quality and speed of the ongoing road constructions in Kuje, Kuje Area Council.
The roads that were inspected by the Minister included, the six-lane dual carriageway from Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction and the five-kilometre dual carriageway from Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat, in Kuje.


The minister explained that the five-kilometre dual carriage way from Garage Junction to LEA Secretariat was nominated by the council’s chairman and stakeholders in the area.

He said that the contractor has done earth work covering 2.
5 kilometres, adding that what would follow was the drainage.
According to the Minister, “The Area Council Chairman and the stakeholders in Kuje were the ones that nominated this road. And the road is 5 kilometers and just like what the contractor said, they started from where they have difficulty so that by the time they get to where there is consent they would have sorted out the issues.
“From what they have said today, they have done the earthwork to 2 kilometers and they said before the end of the year they would have completed this particular road.
“And the one from the airport to Kuje city here, which is being handled by the Arab contractors, you can see that their work is going on very well.
“And with the quality of work we are quite satisfied too. The contractor said before the end of the year they would have completed the earthwork. It gladdens our heart that we are meeting our targets.”
Earlier, Mr Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, said that the road, linking the Airport Expressway to Kuje township would cover 11 kilometres.
Ahmad explained that between the airport expressway to Kuje junction, the road would cross over two rivers and also cross over the Outer Southern Expressway that would link the city centre with Gwagwalada Expressway.
He added that the Airport Expressway to Kuje Junction would cover nine kilometres, while the remaining two kilometres would extend backward towards Kyami District.
He explained that one of the major constraints affecting the delivery of the road was the presence of five towers belonging to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) along the road corridor.
The FCDA boss added that TCN have been contacted and have agreed to relocate the towers, stressing that until the obstructions were removed, work could not take place in the affected areas.

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