South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has confirmed a gun attack on two of its employees—a husband and wife—working at the Kriel Power Station, who were shot while travelling home from work.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 24 January 2026, Eskom said the husband sustained fatal injuries and died at the scene, while his wife was hospitalised and is currently receiving medical care.
Speculation has circulated on social media suggesting that the killing may be linked to a workplace conflict. However, Eskom said it is premature, irresponsible, and inappropriate to make definitive claims or accusations at this stage.
The company urged the public and the media to refrain from spreading unverified information and to await the outcome of investigations being conducted by the South African Police Service and other relevant authorities.
“We urge the public and the media to refrain from repeating unverified claims or speculation, and to allow law enforcement the necessary space to complete their investigation process,” Eskom said.
“Eskom is working closely with the authorities to assist with the investigation,” it added.
According to the utility, support is also being provided to the affected family and staff members during this difficult period.
Eskom pledged to share relevant updates as information becomes available.
“Our thoughts are with the family, colleagues, and all those affected by this tragic incident,” the company said.
Italian oil and gas major Eni has signed a binding agreement to sell a 10% stake in the Baleine offshore oil and gas project in Côte d’Ivoire to SOCAR, the State Oil Company of the Republic of Azerbaijan.
Eni announced the deal in a statement issued on Thursday, 22 January 2026.
Completion of the transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
The transaction reduces Eni’s operating stake in the project to 37.25%, while its partner Vitol retains a 30% interest. Côte d’Ivoire’s state oil company, Petroci, will continue to hold the remaining 22.75% stake.
The deal aligns with Eni’s “dual exploration model,” under which the company accelerates the monetisation of major discoveries by selling minority stakes while retaining operatorship.
This approach has become a core pillar of Eni’s upstream strategy as it seeks to recycle capital, reduce risk exposure, and fund new developments.
The Baleine field is a landmark asset for both Eni and Côte d’Ivoire. Discovered in 2021—two decades after the country’s last commercial offshore find—the giant field moved from discovery to first production in just two years, an unusually rapid timeline for a deepwater African project.
Production began in 2023, making Baleine Eni’s first operated development in the country.
Baleine is also positioned as Africa’s first net-zero emissions upstream development, incorporating gas utilisation, reduced flaring, and offset measures.
The project currently produces more than 62,000 barrels of oil per day and over 75 million cubic feet of gas per day from its first two phases.
With Phase 3 planned, output is expected to rise sharply to around 150,000 barrels per day of oil and 200 million cubic feet per day of gas, significantly boosting domestic energy supply in Côte d’Ivoire and supporting power generation.
For SOCAR, the acquisition marks another step in expanding its international upstream footprint beyond Azerbaijan and the Caspian region.
The deal also builds on a broader cooperation framework between the two companies. In 2024, Eni and SOCAR signed three memoranda of understanding covering energy security, upstream exploration and production, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and collaboration across the biofuels value chain.
The transaction underscores growing international interest in West African offshore resources, particularly large, gas-rich developments capable of supporting both export markets and domestic demand.
It also highlights the continued appeal of partial asset sales as a capital-management tool for majors, even as upstream investment becomes more selective amid energy transition pressures.
The Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) has explained that the national electricity grid collapsed on Friday due to the simultaneous tripping of multiple 330kV transmission lines and the disconnection of some power generation units.
The national grid collapsed at about 12:40 pm on Friday, disrupting electricity supply across the country and halting business activities.
All 23 power plants connected to the grid reportedly lost output during the incident, resulting in zero power allocation to the eleven electricity distribution companies in Africa’s most populous nation.
In a preliminary statement issued on Friday, NISO explained that the system-wide disturbance occurred at about 12:40 pm and led to a total outage across the interconnected network.
“The Nigerian Independent System Operator wishes to inform the public that at approximately 12:40 hours on Friday, 23 January 2026, the national grid experienced a system-wide disturbance, which resulted in a total outage across the interconnected network,” the operator stated.
According to NISO, preliminary operational reports showed that “the disturbance was associated with the simultaneous tripping of multiple 330kV transmission lines, alongside the disconnection of some grid-connected generating units.”
It added that “these events collectively contributed to the system collapse at the time indicated.”
The system operator said restoration activities began shortly after the collapse.
“Following the outage, system restoration activities commenced at about 13:15 hours, in accordance with established grid restoration and recovery procedures,” the statement read.
NISO said electricity supply had been restored to Abuja, Osogbo, Benin, Onitsha, Sakete, Jebba, Kainji, Shiroro, and parts of Lagos, while efforts were ongoing in other parts of the country.
The operator added that investigations into the incident had begun.
“A detailed investigation into the root and contributory causes of the disturbance is currently ongoing,” it said, adding that “the full restoration and stabilisation of the grid remains a top operational priority.”
EemsGas—one of the largest green gas production facilities in the Netherlands, with an investment of €100 million—has received €30 million in DEI+ investment subsidies from the Dutch government, Perpetual Next, which holds a 50% stake in EemsGas, has announced.
According to Perpetual Next, the subsidy will be used for the construction of a plant that produces green gas from scrap wood.
The subsidy award—almost one-third of the total investment—is the result of a technical and economic evaluation of the project, its contribution to the energy transition, and the financial commitment of the shareholders.
The EemsGas project aligns closely with the recommendations of the Wennink Report on public investments in energy and climate technology, published in December.
For the Netherlands, the new plant represents an opportunity to significantly scale up green gas production, based on the gasification of demolition wood, using a blueprint that can be replicated at other locations in the country and beyond.
EemsGas has partnered with TNO (the Dutch Organization for Applied Scientific Research), which is supplying the gasification technology for the project.
The plant, featuring cutting-edge technology, will produce 18 million cubic metres of green gas per year—many times the output of conventional green gas production facilities.
The Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo) led by its Board Chairperson visited the Tema Oil Refinery on Wednesday to learn about the refinery’s resumption of crude refining after more than six years of dormancy.
The refinery restarted crude refining in late December 2025 after major maintenance work.
It is currently processing 28,000 barrels per stream day, and management hopes to bring additional units online to increase processing capacity to 45,000 barrels per stream day and eventually 55,000 barrels per stream day.
The visit by GRIDCo top officials aimed to officially congratulate TOR’s management on restoring refinery operations after prolonged inactivity.
The delegation also explored collaboration avenues between GRIDCo and TOR, supporting the Government’s reset agenda, particularly in strengthening strategic state-owned enterprises.
The GRIDCo delegation included its Board Chairperson, Mrs. Kuukua Maurice Ankara, Esq., board members, the Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Mark Awuah Baah and senior management officials.
They were warmly received by Mr. Edmond Kombat, Esq., Managing Director of TOR, and his management team.
The resumption of operations at TOR marks a historic milestone, reaffirming its readiness to strengthen Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry and deliver value to Ghanaians.
Mr. Edmond Kombat, Esq. (left), Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery, shakes hands with Ing. Mark Awuah Baah (right), Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Grid Company Ltd.
Workers of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) have suspended their industrial action following what has been described as productive engagements with management and the resolution of key grievances.
The workers commenced an indefinite strike on Wednesday over alleged poor working conditions, resulting in electricity supply disruptions across the Kano metropolis and surrounding areas, and crippling economic activities.
However, KEDCO, in a statement issued on Friday by its Head of Corporate Communications, Sani Bala Sani, announced that the workers had suspended the ongoing industrial action after productive engagements and concrete resolutions were reached by all parties.
“We particularly would like to highlight the efforts of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Future Energies Africa (FEA)—the core investors in KEDCO—and the Kano State Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy for their constructive roles in resolving the impasse,” the statement said.
According to the DisCo, addressing inherited issues such as unpaid pension obligations, employee emoluments, and benefits has been a major focus of the company following the restructuring exercise that saw FEA emerge as the new core investor.
Sani noted that the company is making steady progress and is confident that its current plans and trajectory will resolve “these inherited issues.”
Following extensive consultations and negotiations, he said several agreements had been reached with the workers.
As part of the settlement of outstanding arrears, KEDCO has paid 13th-month salary arrears amounting to ₦150 million and appraisal bonuses of ₦20 million, dating back to 2019 and 2022 respectively, bringing the total payment to ₦170 million.
The company said this demonstrates management’s commitment to honouring its obligations to the workforce.
The statement further noted that KEDCO has committed to settling the 2025 13th-month salary arrears of ₦174 million in the February 2026 salary cycle, alongside regular salary payments.
It added that an expanded meeting involving representatives from the NLC Secretariat, electricity labour unions, and the KEDCO Board will be convened to address other pending and complex issues. This collaborative approach, the company said, is aimed at ensuring lasting solutions that serve the interests of all parties.
“Based on these agreements, the industrial action has been suspended with immediate effect. All parties have also committed to a no-victimisation clause, ensuring that no worker or stakeholder will face reprisals arising from the action,” the statement said.
KEDCO management expressed appreciation to its customers for their understanding and patience during the period of the strike, adding that enhanced resolution frameworks are being developed to prevent a recurrence.
“With the suspension of the industrial action, normal operations have resumed across all our service areas. We assure our customers of our continued dedication to providing a reliable and efficient electricity supply.
“We remain committed to improving service delivery, maintaining harmonious labour relations, and ensuring sustainable operations that benefit all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
Nigeria’s national power grid has collapsed for the second time in less than a month, plunging parts of the country into darkness and disrupting electricity supply to millions of households and businesses, according to local media reports.
Electricity generation reportedly dropped sharply from over 4,500 megawatts to as low as 24 megawatts at about 1:30 p.m. during the incident.
All 23 power generation plants connected to the national grid were said to have lost output, resulting in zero power allocation to each of the country’s 11 electricity distribution companies.
The cause of the collapse could not be immediately determined, and officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had yet to issue a detailed statement at the time of filing this report.
This is the first grid collapse recorded in 2026, coming barely weeks after a similar incident on December 29, 2025, which also triggered widespread power outages across the country.
Nigeria has continued to struggle with grid stability and reliable electricity supply due to a combination of technical faults, inadequate maintenance of transmission infrastructure, and fluctuations in generation capacity.
Stakeholders have repeatedly called on the government and power sector operators to implement robust contingency measures to prevent recurring system failures.
As the public awaits an official explanation, the latest collapse has renewed concerns about Nigeria’s electricity infrastructure and its capacity to support the country’s growing demand for reliable power.
Malawi’s Minister for Energy and Mining, Dr. Jean Mathanga, has justified the government’s decision to hike petrol and diesel prices by more than 40 percent.
This comes amid public anger over the government’s sharp increase in fuel prices.
Addressing a press conference last Wednesday, Dr. Mathanga explained that Malawi’s fuel prices had remained lower than those of neighbouring countries because the Automatic Pricing Mechanism (APM) had been abandoned over the past three years, a move that negatively affected the collection of road levies.
She noted that during the previous administration, fuel became scarce, forcing motorists to spend long hours queuing for the commodity. According to her, the recent upward adjustment in fuel prices is expected to eliminate such challenges, as the current government has reinstated the APM to ensure a consistent fuel supply.
The minister further observed that the fixed fuel prices used by the previous administration encouraged fuel smuggling, as price differentials with neighbouring countries made the practice rampant. She added that adopting realistic fuel pricing would help curb smuggling.
Petrol prices were increased from MKW 3,499 to MKW 4,965 per litre, while diesel prices rose from MKW 3,500 to MKW 4,945 per litre—representing increments of MKW 1,466 and MKW 1,445 respectively.
In a statement issued by the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) and signed by its Board Chairperson, Lucas Kondowe, the regulator explained that the price hikes were intended to sustain the importation of petroleum products.
The Board noted that historically, MERA had adopted an Automatic Pricing Mechanism under which movements in pricing model parameters of more than five percent trigger automatic price adjustments. However, the mechanism was abandoned over the past three years in favour of a fixed pricing regime, which proved to be commercially unsustainable.
“This led to significant trading losses, resulting in the inability to import adequate petroleum products and to remit economically important levies such as the Road Levy to the Road Fund Administration (RFA) and the Rural Electrification Levy to the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) Fund,” the statement said.
MERA added that the situation contributed to the deterioration of roads nationwide and delayed the implementation of key MAREP projects across the country.
Venture Global, a U.S.-focused liquefied natural gas (LNG) producer, has won its second arbitration case against Spain’s Repsol, Oilprice.com reported on Thursday.
In 2023, Shell, BP, Repsol, and other major oil and gas companies accused Venture Global of profiteering by selling LNG cargoes on the higher-priced spot market that they argued should have been supplied under long-term contracts.
Repsol subsequently filed an arbitration case against the U.S. firm.
The dispute centers on Venture Global’s Calcasieu Pass LNG export project in Louisiana. Venture Global had signed long-term supply agreements with several energy majors, under which LNG deliveries were expected to begin once the facility entered commercial operations.
During the global gas crisis of 2021–2022—triggered by post-pandemic demand, supply constraints, and later intensified by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—spot LNG prices surged, particularly in Europe.
During this period, Venture Global sold significant volumes of LNG on the spot market, generating billions of dollars in revenue.
Venture Global argued that it was contractually entitled to do so because Calcasieu Pass had not yet been officially commissioned.
Under the terms of its contracts, the company maintained that its obligation to supply LNG under long-term agreements only began after formal commissioning.
To that end, Venture Global extended the commissioning deadline for Calcasieu Pass while continuing to produce and export LNG.
In August, Shell lost its arbitration case against Venture Global after a tribunal ruled that the U.S. company had not violated its contractual obligations to long-term customers. Two months later, however, a court ruled in favor of another plaintiff, BP. Venture Global has now also prevailed in a separate arbitration case brought by Repsol.
Meanwhile, Venture Global built a second LNG facility, which produced its first LNG cargo at the end of 2024—before the Calcasieu Pass project was officially commissioned.
The prolonged dispute has raised concerns among investors with stakes in Venture Global’s second LNG project, Plaquemines.
Those concerns were compounded when Venture Global asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to delay Plaquemines’ official commissioning, prompting fears that the company could again prioritize spot-market sales.
In October last year, Venture Global wrote to its customers to reassure them that it had no plans to sell LNG on the spot market before the facility’s commissioning.
The companies currently suing Venture Global are investors in its first LNG facility, Calcasieu Pass.
In 2022, Venture Global earned billions of dollars from spot LNG sales amid Europe’s gas crunch, which began in late 2021 and intensified following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the EU’s subsequent sanctions.
The Sustainable Use of Natural Resources and Energy Finance (SUNREF) programme, implemented with financial support from the European Union (EU) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD), officially concluded on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
This marks a major milestone in Ghana’s efforts to promote sustainable finance, climate-friendly investment, and private sector-led green growth.
The closing ceremony, hosted by the Energy Commission (EC) of Ghana at the Nearly Zero-Energy Building (nZEB) in Accra, capital of Ghana brought together high-level representatives from the Government of Ghana, the Ambassadors of France and the European Union, the Country Director of AFD, partner financial institutions—CAL Bank and GCB Bank—project developers, and other key stakeholders.
SUNREF Ghana, hosted by the Energy Commission, was designed to promote private sector investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and environmentally sustainable projects, while strengthening the capacity of local financial institutions to originate and manage green finance portfolios.
The programme combined dedicated credit lines of €30 million from AFD, €2 million in technical assistance from the EU Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund, and investment grants amounting to €2.4 million.
These instruments provided additional incentives to improve the financial viability of eligible green investments and supported the adoption of cleaner and more efficient technologies.
Through SUNREF Ghana, partner banks enhanced their capacity to assess and finance sustainable projects, while eligible enterprises gained access to long-term financing and targeted incentives.
The programme delivered measurable climate and environmental benefits in line with Ghana’s national energy and climate policies.
Under SUNREF Ghana, seven (7) projects have been completed, representing a total loan portfolio of approximately US$20 million. In addition, four (4) projects with an estimated loan value of US$5.5 million are currently under assessment by the partner banks.
The completed projects achieved significant climate and energy outcomes, including estimated annual energy savings of 7,736 megawatt-hours (MWh), the installation of 0.8 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity, and annual greenhouse gas emission reductions of about 139,020 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂).
This performance significantly exceeded the programme’s initial target of 13,300 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
Speaking at the event, representatives of the EU, AFD, and the French Embassy in Ghana underscored that SUNREF Ghana forms part of broader EU–Ghana and France–Ghana cooperation aimed at supporting sustainable economic development, climate action, and private sector engagement.
The programme, they noted, demonstrates how EU- and AFD-supported financial instruments can mobilise local financial institutions and businesses to deliver tangible climate and development outcomes.
During the ceremony, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Mr. Rune Skinnebach, and the French Ambassador, H.E. Ms. Diarra Dimé-Labille, highlighted the success of the SUNREF programme as the first comprehensive green finance initiative deployed at scale in Ghana, contributing significantly to the development of a sustainable finance ecosystem in the country.
Senior officials from the European Union, the French Embassy, AFD, and partner banks—CAL Bank and GCB Bank—were present at the event.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Energy Commission, Ing. Eunice A. Biritwum noted that the SUNREF Ghana Programme has provided a strong platform for Ghana as it advances its energy transition and climate resilience agenda.
She highlighted the achievements and lessons learned from the programme, stating that it demonstrated how climate finance can work effectively when it is well structured, locally anchored, and results-oriented.
She said these lessons will continue to inform how the Energy Commission designs and implements future climate finance initiatives in Ghana. According to her, the formal closure of the SUNREF Ghana Programme does not mark the end of the collective journey towards sustainability.
Rather, she emphasised that “the true success of SUNREF will be measured by how its principles are mainstreamed and scaled—within partner banks, across new sectors and technologies, and through future EU/AFD-supported programmes.”
Clémentine Dardy, AFD Country Director, lauded the institutional collaboration that ensured the successful execution of the programme, highlighting the bank’s role in advancing green energy projects and climate financing.
Clémentine Dardy, AFD Country Director
Commenting, EU Ambassador Rune said SUNREF Ghana was never only about carbon numbers, but rather building capacity that lasts beyond the project itself.
He said through the program, partner banks learned that even sunshine can be bankable.
As the SUNREF programme concludes, stakeholders emphasised the need to build on its achievements to further scale up sustainable finance in Ghana, strengthen climate-resilient investments, and support the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (GH-NDCs).
The successful completion of the programme has significantly transformed the landscape of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Ghana.
Continued visibility and replication of such interventions are expected to enhance the profile of the Energy Commission and attract additional funding to support its promotional and regulatory activities.
The programme ended with a tour of The Nexus, nearly Zero Energy Building located at the Airport Residential area by OMA Group.
The Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) says it remains strong, united, and unwavering in its commitment to representing the collective interests of its members, protecting consumers, and promoting the sustainable growth and development of the downstream petroleum industry for the ultimate benefit of the general public.
The assurance follows the self-suspension of membership by Star Oil Ghana over the fuel price floor policy, which triggered a social media exchange between the Chief Executive Officer of Star Oil Ghana and the Group Chief Executive Officer of GOIL PLC.
In a statement issued on Thursday, COMAC said it respects the right of its members to make independent decisions regarding their participation in the collective objectives of the Chamber.
According to the Chamber, it values diverse perspectives and encourages open dialogue among members as they work together to achieve shared goals.
COMAC said it will continue to engage the industry regulator, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and other stakeholders to address issues affecting the effective implementation of policies within the sector.
“We assure the public and our stakeholders that COMAC will consistently operate in line with its established principles and collective decisions, fostering a fair, inclusive, and transparent environment for all members,” the Chamber concluded.
The French Navy has intercepted a tanker in the Mediterranean that officials allege belongs to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet”, designed to evade international sanctions.
In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron said the oil tanker was “coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag”.
“The operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, with the support of several of our allies. It was carried out in strict compliance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,” Macron said.
He added that the vessel was diverted and that an investigation has been launched.
Local maritime authorities said the navy seized an oil tanker called “Grinch” between Spain and Morocco.
The interception comes as the European Union has imposed more than a dozen sanctions packages against Russia in response to the country’s 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
But Moscow continues to sell millions of barrels of oil to other countries such as China and India, typically at discounted prices, despite the economic curbs.
Much of the oil is carried by a “shadow fleet” of vessels operating outside of the Western maritime industry.
A November report from the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found that more than 100 Russian vessels flew a false flag in the first nine months of 2025, transporting about 11 million tonnes of oil valued at 4.7 billion euros ($5.5bn).
On Thursday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked his French counterpart Macron for intercepting the vessel.
“This is exactly the kind of resolve needed to ensure that Russian oil no longer finances Russia’s war,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
“Russian tankers operating near European shores must be stopped.”
The Russian embassy in France said it was not notified about the interception, Russian news agency TASS reported.
“At the moment, together with diplomats from the Consulate General in Marseille, we are trying to find out whether there are any Russian citizens among the crew members in order to provide the necessary assistance,” the embassy said.
Star Oil Ghana, the market leader in fuel sales by volume in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector, has indefinitely suspended its membership of the Chamber of Oil Marketing Companies (COMAC) over disagreements on the industry price floor policy.
The company announced the suspension in a statement issued on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.
Prior to this development, the Chief Executive Officer of Star Oil, Mr. Philip Tieku, and the Group Chief Executive Officer of GOIL PLC, Mr. Edward Abambire Bawa, had engaged in a social media exchange over the policy.
This prompted COMAC’s Board Chairman, Mr. Gabriel Kumi, to describe the exchanges as unhealthy and urge the two industry leaders to cease fire.
This marks the second time a major oil marketing company has suspended its membership of COMAC, formerly known as the Association of Oil Marketing Companies.
In 2021, GOIL PLC, under the leadership of Mr. Kwame Osei Prempeh, suspended its membership of the Association following accusations that its reduction in fuel prices was influenced by government.
GOIL later rejoined the Association and currently serves on its board.
In its statement announcing the suspension, Star Oil said the decision to suspend its membership indefinitely was not taken lightly.
The company noted that it has historically been a committed participant in COMAC’s activities and remains the largest financial contributor to the Chamber, supporting its operations and advocacy efforts over the years.
Star Oil explained that its continued membership was based on the belief that COMAC exists to fairly represent the collective interests of its members, while providing space for divergent but well-intentioned views on policy and regulatory matters. However, the company said recent developments have forced a reassessment of that belief.
The company disclosed that it has consistently advocated for the scrapping of the price floor, a position that sharply contrasts with the majority view within the Chamber.
Star Oil expressed concern that, despite its significant contributions, its position has not been adequately acknowledged or fairly communicated by COMAC, particularly during recent media engagements by the Chamber’s Chief Executive.
According to Star Oil, the failure to clearly explain the rationale behind its position has led to damaging public perceptions, suggesting that its advocacy is driven by anti-competitive intentions or illicit motives. The company described such implications as troubling, unfair, and harmful to its reputation.
While acknowledging that most COMAC members support the retention of the price floor, Star Oil questioned why the Chamber appears unwilling to reasonably articulate the basis of a dissenting view, even when it does not align with the majority position.
For clarity, Star Oil reiterated that its opposition to the price floor is grounded in economic and market principles. The company argues that the policy distorts market signals by preventing the timely transmission of international product prices and foreign exchange movements into local pricing at the oil marketing company level.
According to Star Oil, this distortion weakens competition and ultimately disadvantages consumers—an argument it noted mirrors the reasoning previously advanced by Bulk Distribution Companies in their successful push to have their own price floor removed.
“In light of the above, Star Oil believes that its continued membership of COMAC under the current circumstances exposes the company to reputational risk without offering a fair platform for its views to be represented by the Chamber.
“We therefore consider it prudent to suspend our membership until such a time that the Chamber demonstrates a clear commitment to balanced representation and fair communication of divergent member positions,” the statement concluded.
Drilling operations at the Falcão-1 well in Block 10, offshore São Tomé and Príncipe, have been completed safely, the National Petroleum Agency of São Tomé and Príncipe and the Shell/Petrobras Consortium have announced.
Although no commercially viable hydrocarbons were discovered in the well, the partners said the operation generated valuable data on the basin’s key geological characteristics.
“This information is very useful and will be integrated into subsequent analyses for the next stages of exploration in the basin,” the partners said in a statement.
The Falcão-1 well is part of ongoing offshore exploration efforts aimed at assessing the hydrocarbon potential of Block 10, located in deep waters off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe.
The block is operated by a consortium led by Shell, in partnership with Petrobras, under the supervision of the country’s National Petroleum Agency.
Exploration activities in the block are considered high-risk but strategically significant for São Tomé and Príncipe as the country seeks to better understand its offshore petroleum potential and attract long-term investment into its energy sector.
While the Falcão-1 well did not result in a commercial discovery, data obtained from the drilling—covering reservoir characteristics, source rock presence, and basin structure—will help refine future exploration strategies and reduce geological uncertainty in subsequent drilling campaigns
The visit by GRIDCo top officials aimed to officially congratulate TOR’s management on restoring refinery operations after prolonged inactivity.
The delegation also explored collaboration avenues between GRIDCo and TOR, supporting the Government’s reset agenda, particularly in strengthening strategic state-owned enterprises.
The GRIDCo delegation included its Board Chairperson, Mrs. Kuukua Maurice Ankara, Esq., board members, the Chief Executive Officer, Ing. Mark Awuah Baah and senior management officials.
They were warmly received by Mr. Edmond Kombat, Esq., Managing Director of TOR, and his management team.
The resumption of operations at TOR marks a historic milestone, reaffirming its readiness to strengthen Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry and deliver value to Ghanaians.
The statement further noted that KEDCO has committed to settling the 2025 13th-month salary arrears of ₦174 million in the February 2026 salary cycle, alongside regular salary payments.
It added that an expanded meeting involving representatives from the NLC Secretariat, electricity labour unions, and the KEDCO Board will be convened to address other pending and complex issues. This collaborative approach, the company said, is aimed at ensuring lasting solutions that serve the interests of all parties.
“Based on these agreements, the industrial action has been suspended with immediate effect. All parties have also committed to a no-victimisation clause, ensuring that no worker or stakeholder will face reprisals arising from the action,” the statement said.
KEDCO management expressed appreciation to its customers for their understanding and patience during the period of the strike, adding that enhanced resolution frameworks are being developed to prevent a recurrence.
“With the suspension of the industrial action, normal operations have resumed across all our service areas. We assure our customers of our continued dedication to providing a reliable and efficient electricity supply.
“We remain committed to improving service delivery, maintaining harmonious labour relations, and ensuring sustainable operations that benefit all stakeholders,” the statement concluded.
