nigeria - NOGSpeed - Energy-Affair

The Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dayo Mobereola has said that he is working to raise maritime industry’s contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mobereola also said he is repositioning NIMASA support development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
He spoke on efforts towards enhancing seafarers capacity development, vessels acquisition, Cabotage Vessels Financing Fund (CVFF), security and safety on the waters.
The NIMASA DG, during a media engagement in Lagos also said improving on maritime contribution to the GDP requires that every aspect of local maritime industry is productive, beginning with a very robust cabotage trading through vessel acquisition by local shipowners and availability of cargo for them to lift.
According to the DG, the country needs to improve on what the maritime industry is contributing to the GDP and theagency intends to achieve this by a set of enforcements including deployment of the modular floating dock, seeking the appropriate and relevant trainings for cadets and boosting cabotage trade.
He said: “We are reviewing the process of how vessels crew are being engaged. We are also working to ensure that the cadets we produce under the National Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) are good products after training. All these issues are on our table. There’s no single day we don’t deliberate on them.
“We are also working on deploying the modular floating dock. We have many proposals on the table but we want to make sure that a good decision is reached on it. We want to put it on use as soon as possible. It will create employment for ourtrained cadets, earn revenue and improve the sector, but we want to do it right.
“On the issue of CVFF, the fund is safe with the government and we are looking out for the right opportunity to start its disbursement, in a sustainable manner that will ensure that only those actively playing in the industry gets it. There are many considerations in the disbursement of CVFF These factors are not only within Nigeria but international factors and there has to be cargo for the vessels to lift after they have been acquired.”
Highlighting the significant foreign exchange Nigeria could earn from seafarers exportation, the NIMASA DG said proper capacity development for local seafarers is not negotiable.
“I am aware of the benefits of seafarers in the Philippines where seafarers repatriate $26 billion to the country annually. Their seafarers are not better humans than our own. It is a matter of good training. Many countries are looking for good seafarers and we don’t want to send out half-baked seafarers. We are working on it,” he said.

The Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Limited, Nigeria oil and gas, has stated its determination to leverage cutting-edge technologies to reduce emissions towards climate action and enhance sustainable energy development.
The Deputy Managing Director of Nigeria LNG, Olakunle Osobu gave this assurance while speaking at a panel session on ‘Stimulating early-stage investment into climate technologies to meet net zero goals’, at Gastech Climatetech & AI strategic and Technical Agenda held at George R Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas, USA, with the theme ‘Transforming Energy Through Vision, Innovation, and Action.’
Speaking on Audience insight to explore investment solutions needed for startups to reach commercial viability and maturity, Osobu joined other stakeholders to call on governments to provide financial guarantees for climate tech investments.
“Also, government initiatives should offer tax credits or deductions for climate tech investments, provide early-stage funding for climate tech startups, streamline regulations, provide clear policies and standards,” he stated.
Like in Norway, where the government makes the technology work, Osobu pointed out that the Nigerian government must take the lead in creating an enabling environment that would make venture capital funds to focus on climate tech investments.
He stressed the need to establish carbon markets to incentivize emissions reduction.
Highlighting what NLNG is doing so far, he noted that NLNG potentials are great. ‘’we are looking at Carbon capture and storages”.
According to him, NLNG was looking at the prospect of biofuel, noting that the company is also committed to addressing climate change challenges through the implementation of its GreenHouse Gas (GHG) and Energy Management Plan.
He said that NLNG takes Climate Change seriously and various actions have been proposed and taken to mitigate the impact of its operations on the environment adding that the company continues to assess possible impact as well as mitigation actions needed for its port and facilities.
He noted that Nigeria LNG is a significant player in global energy industry, contributing to Nigeria’s energy transition and global efforts, which include Cleaner fossil fuel; efficient LNG production process; minimising energy consumption and emissions; Carbon Capture and Storage; exploring solar power for electricity generation and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Reduction; targeting 20 per cent reduction by 2030.
Other members of the panel include were Patricia Melcher , Co-founder and MD EIV Capital; Bruece Niven, Head Strategic venturing Aramco Ventures; Marc Guilbert, Managing Partner BX Ventures; Bobby Tudor, CEO and founder Artemis Energy Partners; and Moderator , Timmeko Moore Love , Gm & SVP Greentown Labs.

Derivation Revenue amounting to N99.474 billion has been disbursed to Nigeria’s oil producing states as the 13% derivation fund as prescribed by law for August.
The oil producing states are Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers, Bayelsa, Imo, Abia, Ondo, Anambra, Edo and Lagos.
The amount received by them is part of the total N1.203 trillion disbursed by the Federation Account Allocation Committee, FAAC, to the three tiers of government as federal allocation for the month of August 2024 from a gross total of N2.278 trillion.
A communique issued by the FAAC at the end of its meeting in Abuja, said the total amount shared by the three tiers of government and disbursed to the minerals producing states is inclusive of gross statutory revenue, value added tax, electronic money transfer levy and exchange difference.
The Federal Government received N374.925 billion, the states, N422.861 billion and the local government councils, N306.533 billion, while the oil producing states received N99.474 billion as derivation – 13% of mineral revenue.
The sum of N81.975 billion was given for the cost of collection, while N992.617 billion was allocated for Transfers Intervention and Refunds.
The communique by FAAC indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the Value Added Tax for the month of August 2024 was N573.341 billion as against N625.329 billion distributed in the preceding month, resulting in a decrease of N51.988 billion.
From that amount, the sum of N22.934 billion was allocated for the cost of collection and the sum of N16.512 billion given for Transfers, Intervention and Refunds.
The remaining sum of N533.895 billion was distributed to the three tiers of government, of which the Federal Government got N80.084 billion, the States received N266.948 billion and Local Government Councils got N186.863 billion.
Accordingly, the gross statutory revenue of N1.221Trillion received for the month was lower than the sum of N1.387 received in the previous month by N165.994. From the stated amount, the sum of N58.415 Billion was allocated for the cost of collection and a total sum of N976.105 billion for transfers, intervention and refunds.
The remaining balance of N186.636 billion was distributed as follows to the three tiers of government: Federal Government got the sum of N71.624 billion, States received N36.329 billion, the sum of N28.008 billion was allocated to LGCs and N50.675 billion was given to Derivation Revenue (13% mineral producing states).
Also, the sum of N15.643 billion from electronic money transfer levy was distributed to the three tiers of government as follows: the Federal Government received N2.252 billion, states got N7.509 billion, Local Government Councils received N5.256 billion, while N0.626 billion was allocated for cost of collection.

Nigeria and Morocco are leading in the deployment of small-scale solar, contributing to the $2 billion in the investment in 2023 in the North and West regions, up from $0.7 billion in 2022, according to a new report.
Nigeria’s decision to end a longstanding subsidy on imported petrol for consumers in mid-2023 increased the costs of using petrol for private power generators and has helped the case for small-scale solar.
The African Union has committed to bring 300 gigawatts of renewables online by 2030 more than quadruple the 72 gigawatts the continent had last year in order to reach its decarbonization and energy access goals.
The Africa Power Transition Fact book 2024, produced by BloombergNEF (BNEF) with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, finds that the target means annual deployments will need to jump from 8GW today to 32.5GW per year for the rest of the decade.
Progress has been made as Africa’s installed renewable energy capacity has doubled over the last decade.
However, neither country-level targets nor BNEF’s deployment forecast are aligned with the African Union’s 300GW goal.
The BNEF’s 2030 forecast for wind and solar additions falls 43% short of the necessary build, and even the upper range of country-level targets misses it by 35 per inch.
This points to a major delivery gap, as the continent looks to expand energy access.
There are reasons for optimism: African markets hit a record year for renewable energy investment in 2023.
The $15 billion tracked last year by BNEF more than double the previous year’s figures represents 2.3 per cent of the global total, although that still falls below the region’s 3 per cent share of global electricity generation.
The growth could be indicative of improved investment conditions in some parts of the region. Over half of the investment was driven by a small number of utility-scale wind, solar and geothermal projects reaching financial close in Egypt, Morocco, Kenya, Niger and South Africa.
Wind and solar dominated activity, while a record $3.2 billion of geothermal investment also went to two new plants in Kenya.
Small-scale solar was an even stronger growth driver. Investment in the technology more than tripled to $6.3 billion in 2023, when it drove 41% of total renewable energy investment across the continent.
A key factor was the technology’s fivefold growth rate in South Africa, catalyzed by a removal of generator licensing thresholds in January 2023 and the introduction of tax incentives for businesses investing in renewables in March 2023, as well as power outages.
Meanwhile, Morocco reported increased imports of solar modules in 2023 that BNEF expects primarily served the commercial and residential segments.
African markets are also adding renewable energy capacity at a faster rate than fossil-fuel capacity.
The continent added 7.9GW of renewable energy capacity in 2023, more than triple the net additions of fossil fuels last year.
Importantly, the rate of net fossil-fuel capacity additions has dropped to an average 3GW over the last five years, down 70% compared with the five years prior. Still, coal and gas account for two-thirds of Africa’s annual power generation, and a third of the region’s fossil-fuel capacity is less than 10 years old, built to serve rising electricity consumption.
The challenge extends beyond simply adding more renewable capacity than fossil fuels, as only a handful of African markets are driving renewable energy capacity additions at scale today. South Africa, Morocco and Egypt currently host more than two-thirds of the region’s installed wind and solar capacity, and they remain key growth drivers.
The Head of Regional Energy Transitions at BloombergNEF and lead author of the report, Emma Champion, said, “Many markets still lack a clear route-to-market for developers to build large-scale projects: less than 60% of African countries have a renewables auction or tender program in place, and even fewer award contracts regularly. The absence of clear policy and the enabling environment to attract renewable energy investment in such regions could risk derailing the African Union’s 2030 ambitions.”

The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has called on the Nigerian government to implement a transportation policy mandating the use of gas-powered vehicles for public transportation which can also be extended to government activities.
It is also a policy that can be adopted at state and local government levels.
The formal adoption of such a policy will at the same time promote cleaner energy sources, align with the sustainability goals of the Nigerian Government, help reduce the nation’s reliance on traditional fuels and attract the necessary investment in downstream infrastructure that will create jobs and domesticate technology while facilitating successful implementation.
The NGA commended the government’s incremental adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for transportation and emphasised the importance of sustaining the momentum.
The Association acknowledged the efforts of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PiCNG) in deploying CNG conversion kits and urged the organisation to improve its gains in advancing CNG as a viable alternative energy source.
Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, President of the NGA, highlighted the broader implications of this shift toward natural gas-powered transportation for public transportation which can be extended to heavy-duty vehicles and trucks to make the movement of goods and products more affordable with positive benefits to end users.
“The transition to gas is not just an environmental imperative but an economic one. With potential operational cost savings of up to 70 per cent natural gas represents a tremendous opportunity for Nigeria’s economy to become more efficient and eco-friendlier,” he stated, instilling a sense of optimism about the potential positive impact on economic growth.
The NGA also congratulated Greenville LNG on completing its second test drive of LNG-powered trains, marking another pivotal milestone in Nigeria’s transition to more sustainable energy solutions. It reinforces the NGA’s advocacy for natural gas as the preferred energy source for driving economic growth and reducing the nation’s carbon footprint by effectively employing its abundant gas reserves.
Fueling Nigeria’s rail transportation system with natural gas is part of a larger initiative to transform the country’s transportation sector by reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy efficiency. “We are excited to see projects like Greenville LNG contributing to Nigeria’s Gas Initiative. It’s a shining example of how sustainable energy can drive positive change in the economy and the environment,” Mr Nwokedi added.
The NGA continues to champion eco-friendly practices and the transition to gas-powered solutions, encouraging both public and private sectors to embrace natural gas as a cleaner, more sustainable fuel option. This commitment inspires and motivates the audience to join the NGA in their advocacy for natural gas.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe has described the Nigerian Content strides of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Train 7 Project as impressive.
While on a visit to the NLNG six-train plant, Train 7 Project construction site, and the NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML) training centre, Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE) in Finima, Bonny Island, Rivers State, Engr. Ogbe reiterated the need to expand collaboration and advocacy for Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry.
Engr. Ogbe was received by Mr. Olakunle Osobu, Deputy Managing Director; Engr. Nnamdi Anowi, General Manager of Production; Engr. Ali Uwais, Train 7 Project Director; Mr. Abdulkadir Ahmed, NSML Managing Director/CEO; and other senior management officials of the company.
In his address, the Executive Secretary highlighted how the Train 7 Project has significantly impacted local capacity via the production of ancillary components and accessories within Nigeria, thereby contributing directly to the project’s successful execution. He affirmed that the recent Presidential Directives on Local Content implementation, which mandates that contracts in the oil and gas sector be awarded exclusively to local companies with proven in-country capabilities, was also instrumental to these achievements.
While harping on the progress made, Engr. Ogbe stated, “The accomplishments we are witnessing today at the NLNG Train 7 Project are a testament to the NLNG’s unwavering commitment to Nigerian Content. This project stands as a beacon of what we can achieve when we prioritise our local industries and talents.”
The NCDMB boss further lauded NLNG’s management for achieving a 52 million man-hours on the Train 7 project with zero lost time injury (LTI). He assured that “we will support you to achieve everything you desire to accomplish for the overall development of Nigeria.”
Engr. Ogbe also commended his immediate predecessor, Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote, for his immense contributions to the approval, take-off and success of the Train 7 project.
On the Maritime Centre for Excellence (MCOE), the NCDMB boss expressed delight that it is the first training centre in Africa to receive accreditation from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK MCA) to deliver and issue certificates for the STCW 2010 Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) and Basic Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations courses.
The MCOE, a maritime training and research facility, was established to enhance maritime expertise in Nigeria and the West African region. It currently hosts a specialised training programme for marine service providers in the upstream oil and gas sector, with support from NCDMB.
In response, the NLNG Deputy Managing Director, Mr. Olakunle Osobu, who represented Dr. Philip Mshelbila, NLNG’s MD/CEO, lauded NCDMB’s unwavering support for the Train 7 Project. He described the partnership as a shining example of the public-private collaboration that can drive Nigeria’s industrial growth. He emphasised that NLNG’s Nigerian Content deliverables showcase the power of strategic collaboration and capacity building, aligning with the NCDMB’s broader objectives and contributing to national development goals.
Mr. Osobu further reiterated that Nigerian Content was not just a regulatory requirement for NLNG but a core business strategy. “We are committed to going beyond compliance, embracing Nigerian Content as a fundamental part of our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria,” he added.
He also highlighted the economic impact of the Train 7 Project, stating that the addition of Train 7 will expand Nigeria’s LNG production capacity from 22 Metric Tons (MT) to 30MT per annum, which will not only boost the nation’s economy by creating jobs and driving sustainable development but also reinforce Nigeria’s position as a formidable player in the global energy market.
Engr. Ogbe’s visit comes on the heels of a recent tour of BEAMCO Limited, where pumps and valves are locally assembled for the Train 7 Project, and the commissioning of the Daewoo Galvanising Plant at Abam-ama, Okrika, Rivers State.