Day: April 9, 2023

The Nigerian Independent Petroleum Company (NIPCO), says it has intensified investment in gas infrastructure to aid diversification and Nigeria’s energy transition.

Mr Suresh Kumar, Managing Director, NIPCO Plc, who said this during a facility tour of the company on Sunday in Lagos, added that it would also reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Kumar said that the organisation had deepened gas usage and market penetration in the country through massive investment in the sector.

He said that as the Federal Government plans to put an end to fuel subsidy, natural gas by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Auto CNG were bound to be a preferred “fuel of choice”.

According to him, the benefits of the natural gas is that it is safe, environmental friendly, economical, among others.

Kumar said that the company had invested massively in gas infrastructure, in line with Federal Government declaration of 2021 to 2030 as “Nigeria’s Decade of Gas“.

He noted that the declaration is a period the government aspired to accelerate domestic and export gas production and utilisation.

He said that NIPCO was intensifing investment in gas infrastructure to bolster the gas agenda of the Federal Government, which was getting a booster.

According to him, already, the company has established Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) facilities across the country to make cars run on gas.

He also said that NIPCO had been expanding its scope on supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and constructing new pipeline infrastructure to strategic locations in the country.

Kumar, said the company had invested over 50 million dollars in developing Nigeria’s natural gas over the years, while more projects were still in the offing.

He said: “We have spent more than 50 million dollars on natural gas infrastructure over the years. We believe that there are lots of potential in Nigeria that can be explored for gas utilisation, and this will further boost our economy.

“By using indigenous gas, we can reduce subsidy burden on the Federal Government.

“We can also reduce the importation burden and that will directly or indirectly reduce capital flight and create more employment opportunities for Nigerians.

“We are the pioneers. We always dream for the future. So, we dreamt for natural gas utilisation in Nigeria right from 2008 and we started investing.

“We introduced this model to the government. Nigeria is a country that has abundant natural gas and instead of wasting subsidy on petrol, we should be looking at a blueprint that can change the petrol market to CNG market,” he said.

According to him, NIPCO is an integrated company that supplies Nigerian market with petrol, diesel and gas.

Kamar said the company currently has about 19,500 metric tonnes combined storage capacity for LPG with 10 loading bays, which could truck-out over 4,000 tons per day.

Also speaking, Mr Nagendra Verma, Managing Director, NIPCO Gas, said the company currently has 14 CNG filling stations in various states across Nigeria and another six CNG stations, currently under construction.

He said over 7,000 vehicles were currently running on CNG, adding that over 350 truck fleet belonging to NIPCO were all on gas.

“We have workshops which are fully efficient and fully capable to convert PMS vehicles to gas, we have the expertise and we are ready to convert more vehicles to run on gas, he said.

Verma said: “So, we intend to have CNG stations in almost all the states of Nigeria, wherever the pipeline is available.

“Presently, we are laying LNG pipeline for 80 Kilometer pipeline from Shagamu interchange to Ibadan.

“The pipeline work is going on. We expect to commission first phase by the end of December 2023.

“And the entire pipeline is expected to be completed by next year.”

According to him, the company is also developing gas pipeline infrastructure in Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos, which is currently nearing completion.

He said the company is currently constructing a propane tank of 500 metric tonnes capacity, the biggest in Nigeria, in a bid to meet up with the federal government requirements of mixing certain quantity of propane with butane for domestic gas.

Verma said that the propane tank would be completed in the next three months.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Hong Kong, based Capo Daniel, said he tendered his resignation letter to the leader of one, of the frontline groups fighting for the independence of the former Southern Cameroons, now North West and South West regions.

In a video shared on Easter Sunday, the now-former Spokesperson and Deputy Defense Chief of the armed wing said he resigned due to divergence with the organization.

“I think makes it impossible for me to continue serving our Liberation Movement in those capacities. I thank Dr. Cho Ayaba for his trust during my time in the organization and will continue working for our liberation movement selflessly.”

Mr. Ngong Daniel had been a frequent user of the group’s Facebook page, with his podcasts on the state of their struggle.

He told CNA newsroom on Sunday that the divergence concerns, “differences regarding the internal functioning of the organization. It’s confidential but those are differences that have made it difficult for me to carry out my functions”

Asked if he is tired of the war and wants some time to rest, he said,

“I did not resign from the war. I resigned from the positions I hold in the Ambazonian Governing Council. I still believe in the movement and will continue my advocacy for the rights of self-determination for the territory and support the arm resistance. I will transform my media platform into a non-communal organisation for the advocacy of Ambazonian independence

In a Youtube video, he said, ” The subjects of these issues do not serve any public interest. But all the cycles of AGOVC are very much aware of these issues…I want to thank Dr. Cho Ayaba for the trust he had in me, for allowing me to serve”

On Saturday, April 8, 2023, the leader of the Ambazonia Governing Council, Dr. Choo Ayaba, acknowledged the resignation of Capoi Daniel, wishing him well in his future endeavours, “Myself, the Ambazonia Governing Council (AGovC), Ambazonia Defence Forces, and the Ambazonian people wish to thank comrade Capo Daniel for his great services and contribution to the organization, our people and our liberation. He stood up for Ambazonia, defended Ambazonia, and took a firm stance against blackmailers, scavengers, disrupters, and Cameroun the butchers of our people. We received and accepted his letter of resignation. He served the organization and our people well when very few could speak for Ambazonia. We wish him luck in his new activism endeavours. We have reached a critical point of divergence and l am obliged to accept his resignation”

Capo Daniel said he will go solo by creating a pressure group to keep his activism alive.

Since 2016, the North West and South West regions, have been hit by a conflict between government forces and separatists. After a ferocious government crackdown, the teachers’ and lawyers’ strike action was transformed into a civil society protest, leading to a failed dialogue on January 13, 2017. This led to the arrest of frontline leaders on January 17, 2017, leading to handing over of power to the diaspora.

The Diasporans demanded outright independence of the regions, creating armed groups that have been fighting for the past seven years.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

A three-day ECOWAS capacity-building workshop for multi-stakeholders on Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanism (ECO-PHSICM) has ended in Accra.

The Workshop sought to equip participants to develop a roadmap to improve human security, curb human trafficking, violent extremism, and terrorism in West Africa.

Madam Neematu Ziblim Adam, the Director Regional Integration Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, in her closing remarks, expressed confidence that the knowledge gained, and the experiences shared during the workshop would strengthen their collective efforts towards protecting human security and promoting sustainable development.

She said although there were outstanding issues that required more systematic research to aid our knowledge and efforts, they had understood the roles and functions of the National Centre for Coordination of Early Warning and Response Mechanism (NCCRM), the Office of the Resident Representative and the ECOWAS National Office in Ghana towards integrated human development.

‘Thus, we would leverage the needed research and their outcomes, our respective institutional efforts and that of these Offices in our quest to achieve better coordination and efficiency in the human security response landscape of Ghana,’ she stated.

She noted the need to have International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and International Human Rights Law (IHRL) mainstreamed in all the educational curriculum from primary to tertiary institutions

There is also the need to improve funding for institutions to resolve human security issues that arise on Gender-Based Violence, Trafficking In Person, Child Protection and the effective use of traditional authorities and strategic communication in the fulfillment of duties.

Madam Adam expressed the hope that the implementation of the conclusions and recommendations from the workshop and the eventual establishment of the Office of the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanism in Ghana, would help address Ghana’s human security and protection challenges.

‘Let us take this momentum forward and continue to engage in constructive dialogue and collaboration to address the complex challenges facing our communities and nation,’ she said.

‘Together, we can make a meaningful impact towards achieving our shared goals of human security and sustainable development.’

Mr Olayemi Olatunde, the Head of Trafficking in Persons Unit (TIP), commended the participants for showing interest and contributing immensely to the workshop.

He was hopeful that the road map adopted during the discussions would be implemented for the betterment of the sub-region.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Reverend Daniel Gidisu, Resident Pastor, Mount Zion Assembly of the Great Commission Church International (GCCI) has asked Christians to be wary of false prophets, parading themselves in name of God to defraud unsuspecting people.

He said some of these false prophets were using pulpits and electronic media such as television to deceive members of the unsuspecting public.

Rev. Gidisu gave the caution in his homily at the ongoing four-day Easter Convention of the GCCI Maranatha Assembly in Tema on the theme: ‘Reaching Out to the Lost Souls like Jesus.’

Speaking on the topic, ‘Enduring in the Last Days’, Rev. Gidisu reiterated that in the last days, false christs and false prophets would be on the increase.

He said a sound knowledge and understanding of the Bible would empower believers to expose the false prophets and teachers.

He noted that there was a distinction between genuine men of God and false prophets; saying, ‘by their fruits ye shall know them.’

Rev. Gidisu urged Christians to take their salvation in Christ very seriously and to engage themselves in productive activities to earn a living.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nana Akrapim Baffo Agyentaduahene IV, the Paramount Chief of the Nkoranza Traditional Area in the Bono East Region, has urged artisanal workers to register and join pension schemes for their own good.

He said pensions did not only provide financial security for the aged, but also help the aged live stress and depression free lives.

He said the aged required stress-free life to live longer and achieve their goals and aspirations.

The Paramount Chief gave the advice when personnel of the Bono Zonal office of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) paid a courtesy call on the traditional council at Nkoranza.

The personnel of the Authority were in the area to sensitize artisanal workers on the pensions scheme designed for informal sector workers.

About 280 artisans, including hairdressers, dressmakers, tailors, mechanics and carpenters and farmers, attended the day’s sensitization workshop aimed to inspire them to join the pension scheme.

‘Life without pensions is always difficult for aged, particularly those who spent their life time to work in the informal sector and everybody must capitalize on the tier-three scheme and join the pensions,’ Nana Agyentaduahene IV stated.

He commended the government and the NPRA for the introduction of the tier-three pension scheme and entreated those who had not registered to do so for future benefit.

Mr William Ohene-Adjei, the Bono zonal Head of the NPRA, said the tier-three Penisons was designed for all workers, including farmers and petty traders.

‘We are, therefore, in the area to introduce and encourage workers in the informal sector to join and enjoy the benefits too,’ he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency