Dangote Claims Oil Majors Are Trying To Sabotage Africa’s Biggest Refinery
The international oil companies operating in Nigeria are seeking to undermine the operations and profit margins of Africa’s largest refinery, Dangote, by asking for high premiums for domestically produced crude, a senior official at the Dangote refinery has told local media.
The Dangote Refinery in Nigeria, Africa’s biggest, began the production of fuels in January 2024, marking the start-up of the refinery that has seen years of delays.
Now a senior official accuses the multinational companies operating in the country of “plotting” to bankrupt the refinery.
“While the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) are trying their best to allocate the crude for us, the IOCs are deliberately and willfully frustrating our efforts to buy the local crude,” Devakumar Edwin, Vice President, Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited (DIL), told Nigerian media this weekend.
“It seems that the IOCs’ objective is to ensure that our Petroleum Refinery fails. It is either they are deliberately asking for ridiculous/humongous premium or, they simply state that crude is not available,” Nigeria’s newspapers quoted Edwin as saying.
The refinery had to pay $6 per barrel above the market price at one point, the official added.
“It appears that the objective of the IOCs is to ensure that Nigeria remains a country which exports crude oil and imports refined petroleum products,” Edwin was also quoted as saying.
The Dangote refinery, which has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), is expected to meet 100% of Nigeria’s demand for all refined petroleum products and have a surplus of each of the products for export.
The refinery expects to export diesel to customers in Europe, as well as gasoline to Latin American and African markets. However, production of Euro V gasoline, the gasoline complying with Europe’s emissions standards, is not expected to be produced until late 2024, according to analysts at Facts Global Energy.
Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, is looking to set up a trading firm that would handle crude supply for the new mega refinery in Nigeria, Reuters reported in March, citing multiple sources with knowledge of the plans.
Source: Oilprice.com
Congo: Chinese Firm Embarks On A Multi-Faceted Oil And Gas Project
The Republic of the Congo has a goal of increasing hydrocarbon production to 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) and projects such as Wing Wah Oil Company’s Banga Kayo development will serve as catalysts for meeting this objective.
The project is a strong example for how integration and scalability can be utilized to not only monetize resources but maximize production beyond the lifecycle of initially-tied in blocks.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC) – the voice of the African energy sector – conducted a tour of Wing Wah’s project near Pointe Noire during a working visit to the country this week.
A strong advocate for the development of oil and gas in Africa, the AEC believes that hydrocarbons are the solution for making energy poverty history by 2030.
Project’s such as Wing Wah’s in the Republic of the Congo are not only a testament to the role international partnerships play in developing African oil and gas resources but to the potential for large-scale, integrated developments across the continent.
The Ministry of Hydrocarbons – led by Minister Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua – and the country’s NOC Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo – led by Managing Director Maixent Raoul Ominga – have provided the much-needed support that companies such as Wing Wah need to develop innovative projects, and the AEC commends them for the progress made thus far.
Banga Kayo: An Innovative Oil & Gas Venture
The Banga Kayo conventional oilfield is a production permit operated by Wing Wah, which features approximately 250 wells that have been drilled to date.
Currently, the field is producing 45,000 bpd and is nearing its peak production of 80,000 bpd.
In addition to oil production, Wing Wah is implementing a phased expansion and development approach to monetize previously-flared gas resources.
Over three phases, the project will progressively increase gas treatment and valorization capacity, producing LNG, butane and propane, primarily for the domestic market. Excess products will be exported regionally.
The project incorporates the development of three trains.
The first has a capacity of one million cubic meters per day (mcm/d), while the second and third trains will have a capacity of two mcm/d each.
The second and third trains are anticipated to come online by March 2025 and December 2025, respectively, and will bring the total capacity of the project to five mcm/b.
In April 2024, Wing Wah signed an amended production sharing contract with the government for the Banga Kayo block, signaling the start of the expansion of the project.
Integration: A Tool for Maximizing Efficiency and Scalability
Wing Wah’s project in the Republic of the Congo is underpinned by a focus on integration and scalability.
The structure of the facilities has been planned in a way that prioritizes efficiency, reduces emissions and promotes scalability.
Specifically, the facility enables Wing Wah to tap into stranded gas that would have otherwise been flared, thereby providing opportunities for monetization and the utilization of gas across the oil production cycle.
Unlike traditional LNG infrastructure which faces challenges as blocks mature and feedstock declines, the scalable design of Wing Wah’s project creates the opportunity to maximize production – both at existing blocks and new concessions.
Additionally, each unit at the facility has its own power generation solution which are scalable in increments of 2 MW.
Currently, 22 MW is installed, with generators utilizing gas from associated blocks. As production increases, so can power generation, thereby ensuring scalability and durability.
Meanwhile, the water management system is also integrated into the project in a way that promotes environmentally-friendly operations. Water treatment is conducted on-site and distributed back into the ocean once treated.
As such, the facility provides a quintessence of oil and gas integration.
The development approach features fast construction, fast commissioning and quick, efficient operations.
Wing Wah are using state-of-the-art equipment and have an organized layout of the overall infrastructure and storage.
This is expected to boost efficiency at the project site while ensuring the project plays an instrumental role in processing oil and gas for the long-term.
Prioritizing Local Community Development
In addition to project efficiency, the Banga Kayo development has been constructed in a way that takes into account the needs of local communities.
All of the processing facilities have on-site accommodation, with senior management on-call to ensure a constant review of work.
Currently, the project employs more than 3,000 people, the majority of whom are workforce Congolese.
Meanwhile, excess power generated at the project site can be distributed to local communities, providing a clean and reliable source of power.
Water management also takes into account regional demand, with surrounding communities benefiting from a clean source.
This structure not only brings tangible benefits to local communities but reducing emissions across the project’s operational cycle.
“Wing Wah’s integrated project in the Republic of the Congo is a model that can and must be replicated in other oil and gas producing nations in Africa.
“The project’s focus on scalability ensures production is not limited to specific blocks, but rather, infrastructure can be easily tied into new concessions as exploration ramps up across the country.
Through gas-fired power generation, innovative water management and a long-term approach to production, the project is poised to unlock a wealth of benefits for the country,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
Source: African Energy Chamber
Niger Confirms Anti-junta Rebels Behind Oil Pipeline Attack
Niger’s junta has confirmed that rebels damaged an oil pipeline carrying crude oil to neighbouring Benin.
The Patriotic Liberation Front, which is fighting for the release of former president Mohamed Bazoum, who was overthrown in a coup last July, said it was behind the attack earlier this week, a report by the BBC said.
It has threatened to target oil installations and called on the Chinese companies that run the pipeline to end their support for the military regime.
It is the latest setback to hit the newly opened 2,000km (1,243-mile) pipeline as relations between Niger and Benin continue to sour.
State media said the “malicious individuals” who had sabotaged part of the pipeline would be apprehended and prosecuted.
“We know which group is the author of the act [and which also] claimed [it],” public prosecutor Ousmane Baydo is quoted by the AFP news agency as saying.
Footage aired on state-run broadcaster Tele Sahel on Friday evening showed the damage in Niger’s southern Zinder region, with an oil spill stretching out into the bush.
The pipeline was formally launched at the end of last year and links Niger’s Agadem oilfield to Benin’s coast – and is set to be vital to both economies.
But its future has been in jeopardy following last year’s coup, when regional sanctions were imposed on Niger.
In February, the regional bloc Ecowas agreed to lift them and borders were allowed to be reopened.
Benin’s economy had also been hit by trade block and was anxious for imports and exports to resume.
But Niger decided to keep its borders closed to goods from Benin, alleging its neighbour was hosting French forces that were training others to destabilise Niger.
The junta in Niger views France with suspicion and has established closer ties with Russia since coming to power.
It kicked out French troops who had been in the West African state to fight militant Islamists threatening stability across the region.
France maintains it has no bases in Benin and such allegations are part of disinformation campaigns against the former colonial power.
Nonetheless the refusal to reopen the land border, usually busy with lorries driving back and forth, prompted Benin to block Niger’s inaugural oil exports.
China stepped into ease tensions – and Niger did manage to join the world of oil exporters, its first batch of crude leaving Benin at the end of May.
But the spat between Benin and Niger has continued.
Earlier this month five Niger nationals were arrested at an oil port in Benin on impersonation charges – and a loading of second crude shipment was reportedly aborted.
Three of the Nigeriens were given 18 months suspended sentences – and all of them, who worked for the Chinese oil firm running the pipeline, were expelled and flown to Niamey on Friday.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigeria: KEDCO Drags Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria To Court Over Unlawful Interference
Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), one of the power distribution companies in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has dragged the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) to the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, over unlawful interference with its business, causing huge financial damage to the company.
A statement signed by Sani Bala Sani, Head of Corporate Communications, on Thursday, said the actions of MAN have subjected the company to a huge revenue loss of over 5.3 billion Naira per month.
The company also accused MAN of unlawful interference with its business, despite their knowledge about the FG’s removal of electricity subsidy for all Band A customers, and fluctuations in various macro-economic indices such as exchange rates, gas prices, inflation, and other factors responsible for computing electricity tariffs.
These factors have warranted KEDCO’s cost-reflective tariff to increase from ₦159.13 per kWh to ₦225.00 per kWh.
The statement attributed the conspiracy to actions including circulars signed and issued by the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, directing all its members, including other Band A customers, to disregard their obligations and pay the old tariff rate on account rather than the statutory new tariff as approved by the regulator.
This has led customers on Band A to breach their obligations to pay the newly approved tariff.
The company said that MAN’s action has unfairly burdened it with the FG’s subsidy removal on Band A customers and the attendant losses, taking cognizance of the fact that KEDCO also has an obligation to pay the power generating companies’ cost-reflective tariff.
KEDCO vehemently lamented MAN’s mindful intention to protect its interest at the expense of causing damage to its business and employees.
This action not only causes unbearable losses to KEDCO, but it also hinders the company’s ability to procure more energy to serve its teeming customers, posing a threat to its corporate sustainability and Nigeria’s power sector growth.
Therefore, despite several engagements with MAN and its affiliate associations, KEDCO is left with no option but to drag MAN to court for committing the tort of procuring a breach of contract, unlawful interference, and conspiracy against its business.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Uganda: Rural Electricity Access Project To Connect 54000 Households With Electricity Before December Ends
Uganda is targeting to connect 54000 new customers under the Rural Electricity Access Project (REAP) before it ends by December 31, 2024.
So far 87,450 households from 981 villages have been connected to the National grid under this project supported by African Development Bank and the European Union.
During a stakeholders engagement in Jinja, which attracted officials from ministries, agencies and departments, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development revealed that the project which started in 2015 is ending this year.
“The project has been able to extend grid of about 1790Km and over 2600Km of low voltage which connects from the line to individual customers,” Samuel Bishop, the coordinator of the Project said in a report by Nilepost.co.ug.
He revealed that they have installed 981 transformers at different load centres including town centres and villages that have been connected to the grid.
He added that they have a target of connecting more 54000 new customers before end of this year.
“We are into the process of connecting close to 54000 unto the grid on single phase and we shall also consider three phase for those who deal in milling and other businesses including health centres, schools, churches among others ,” he said.
As the project comes to an end this year , government has embarked on fresh negotiations with the African Development Bank for another loan.
“So far we have spent over USD 85 million of the loan the remaining 15% of the loan is still outstanding to be paid out as the contractors close out their activities,” Bishop said.
In 2015 Uganda secured a loan of USD 100M from African Development Bank and additional grant of 11.2M Euros from the European Union for the Uganda Rural electricity Access project which has been extended to about 55 districts.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Sudan: Minister Of Energy And Oil Heralds Approaching Repumping Southern Sudan Oil
Sudanase Minister for Energy and Oil, Dr. Mohieddin Naeem Mohamed Saeed, has heralded the near completion of work on re-pumping South Sudan’s oil.
This came during his inspection visit on Wednesday to the fifth pumping station from Jebel Um Ali in the Nile River State, affirming that work has reached about 80% so far.
He appreciated the efforts of the workers at Bashair Pipeline Company (BAPCO) who continue to work day and night until the dawn of Eid in order to accelerate the pace in dealing with the stoppage of pumping to avoid economic and technical losses to the country and South Sudan.
The Minister inspected the valve at the station and was briefed on the alternative plans.
For his part, Engineer Ibrahim Adam, General Manager of Bashair Pipelines Company (BAPCO), stressed that the work is taking place according to the plans drawn up by the company, indicating that the company’s employees continue to work without stopping even during the blessed Eid Al-Adha holiday, stressing that their Eid is in the fields of work and the effort has been crowned with success, adding that soon Sudan and South Sudan will be heralded with the return of pumping.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Three Suspects In Police Grips For Killing Student Of University Of Energy And Natural Resources In Sunyani
The Ghana Police Service has arrested and detained three suspects in connection with a robbery of students and lecturers of the University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR) that resulted in the killing of Abdul Aziz Issah, a Renewable Energy Engineering Student, in April this year.
Some students of the university and their lecturers were on a trip to the Bui Generation Station operated by the Bui Power Authority when armed robbers attacked them on the stretch of Odomase-Badu in the West Sunyani Municipality at about 1900 hours on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
A report by Ghana News Agency (GNA) indicated that the Bono Regional Police arrested the three suspects through police intelligence.
The report said investigations were still ongoing.
The police retrieved several mobile phones and other valuables from the suspects who were arrested in their hideouts, according to the report.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: Cabinet Directs Zesco To Suspend Power Export Amidst Power Crisis
Zambia has announced plans to recall about 100 Megawatts of power being exported to its neighbours in a bid to meet local demand.
The East African nation is struggling to keep the lights on due to low water levels in its hydropower generation dams, occasioned by severe drought.
The Minister for Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson, Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa, with the Minister for Energy, Hon. Peter Kapala, revealed the decision of the government at a press conference.
Hon. Cornelius Mweetwa said Zesco, the national electricity supplier, has been directed to implement the Cabinet decision as soon as possible.
Negotiations are also ongoing to recall an additional 195MW, considering contractual obligations and the severe drought impacting the region.
Zesco has contracts to supply power to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia and the DRC.
However, the shortfall in power generation has compelled the country to import about 165MW of power to mitigate the shortage.
Speaking about the current power situation, Victor Mapani, Managing Director of Zesco Limited, said: “Zesco understand the adversities and challenges the load shedding poses and we sincerely regret that and wish things were different but as we are there is very little we can do about the water shortage.”
Meanwhile, the government, in collaboration with the private sector, is mobilising resources to open a second plant at Maamba Collieries, expected to produce around 300MW.
This project, requiring approximately US$80 million, has reached the final stages of financial closure.
Additionally, the government plans to install solar energy systems in public universities and colleges to free up energy for other uses.
Public institutions such as universities, hospitals and water processing plants, along with essential service providers like police stations, will not be subject to load-shedding.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: ECG Is Not Shedding Load–Energy Minister
Ghana’s Minister for Energy Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh has stated that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is not carrying out a load-shedding exercise.
The power transmission company, GRIDCo and ECG, in a joint statement last week, hinted that the reduction in the volume of gas from Nigeria as announced by the West African Gas Pipeline Company (WAPCo) is likely to result in load-shedding management.
Answering questions in Parliament on Wednesday about recent power outages across the country, the Energy Minister, Dr Opoku Prempeh, explained that the erratic power supply in the country is not a result of load shedding.
“No, ECG was not undertaking load-shedding as of the time the question was asked about two months ago. Consumers were experiencing outages due to several factors including localised outages caused by overloaded lines and transformers,” he stated.
Dr Opoku Prempeh highlighted the rapid development in certain areas as a contributing factor.
“There are certain areas in this country where all of a sudden, the number of residents and businesses have increased. Parts of East Legon, which was purely a residential area, have now become a business district, increasing power consumption,” he noted.
“This surge in demand has strained existing infrastructure, necessitating upgrades to transformers and power lines,” he added.
He also pointed to specific incidents affecting the power supply.
“At the time the question was asked, CenPower had an emergency shutdown, resulting in an immediate loss of 40 megawatts. Additionally, maintenance work on the Amandi Power plant was ongoing,” Dr Opoku Prempeh explained.
Further compounding the issue were emergency outages requested by GRIDCo.
“These were myriads of factors that had unfortunately happened, causing power outages at different times,” he added.
Dr Opoku Prempeh emphasised that the ECG did not implement load-shedding because most outages were unplanned, preventing a pre-announced schedule.
“The reason ECG said they were not load-shedding is that most of the incidents were not planned, and so they couldn’t have come out with a pre-programme to say they were load-shedding,” he concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Mozambique: Gov’t Extends Pipeline Concession For Matola Gas Company
The Mozambican government has extended, for a further period of 15 years, the gas pipeline concession held by the Matola Gas Company (MGC) for the transport of natural gas from the administrative post of Ressano Garcia, on the border with South Africa.
The decision at a meeting of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet), which took place on Tuesday, in Maputo.
According to a statement from the Council of Ministers, the extension aims to allow for new investments estimated at 300 million dollars, with work due to start this year.
The investment aims to set up new infrastructures and connect MGC’s existing facilities to receive volumes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasified by the Beluluane Gas Company (BGC).
MGC is dedicated to the transport, distribution and sale of natural gas produced in Mozambique, which is used as an energy source for the operation of various industrial units in Maputo province.
Founded in 2004, MGC is owned by the Mozambican government through the National Hydrocarbons Company (ENH) and by the South African energy company, Gigajoule International.
MGC operates a natural gas transmission and distribution pipeline with a length of around 100 kilometers, under a concession agreement with the government for distribution in Maputo province.
The MGCs pipeline starts in Ressano Garcia where it is connected to the main gas pipeline running from the Pande and Temane gas fields, in the southern province of Inhambane, to Secunda in South Africa.
MGC currently supplies natural gas to the Mozal aluminium smelter, to the cement factory, Cimentos de Moçambique, and to 18 other companies located in Maputo province.
Source: Aimnews.com
Nigeria: IBEDC Achieves Supply Milestone For Band A Customers For Two Consecutive Months
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has successfully provided a cumulative minimum of 620 hours of electricity supply to its Band A customers over the past two months.
This achievement was confirmed during a performance evaluation period monitored by the Regulator, the company said in a statement.
Starting with an initial 30 Band A feeders in April, IBEDC received approval from the Regulator to upgrade an additional 30 feeders later in April, another 30 in May, and 15 more feeders subsequently, bringing the total to 83 feeders. These feeders are categorized as follows: 34 11kV and 49 33kV.
The Acting Managing Director, Engr. Francis Agoha, stated, “IBEDC remains committed to meeting the service delivery expectations of all our customers across various tariff bands.
We continue to enhance our network upgrades within our coverage areas to ensure consistent and reliable electricity supply, in addition we are working assiduously to ensure power supply to other bands improve significantly”.
“IBEDC’s dedication to service excellence and continuous improvement underscores our mission to provide reliable and efficient electricity to our valued customers.
“We appreciate the support of our customers and the Regulator in achieving this significant milestone,” he concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Zambia: Electricity Will Be Restored To Muchinga, Luapula Northern, Eastern, And Central Provinces Late Night-Zesco Limited
Zambia’s power utility company Zesco Limited says it will restore power supply to Muchinga, Luapula, Northern, Eastern, and Central provinces of Zambia by 22:00 today due to some unforeseen circumstances.
Power supply to the provinces was disrupted on Wednesday, 19 June 2024, at 06:00 hours to facilitate the second phase technical commissioning of the second 330kV Kabwe Step Down – Pensulo Transmission Line.
The first phase of the technical commissioning was successfully completed on Sunday, 16 June 2024.
Zesco anticipates to restore power supply to the affected provinces by 22 hours this evening, the company said in a statement.
The Corporation sincerely apologised to its customers for the inconvenience caused by the delayed power supply restoration.
Zesco urged the public to treat all power supply lines to be live at all times, as power supply could be restored earlier than stated.
The 330kV Kabwe Step-Down to Pensulo Transmission Line is an added power transportation corridor to the northern part of Zambia, and is part of the Zambia – Tanzania – Kenya interconnector, the much anticipated power trading corridor between Southern and East Africa.
Zambia is to benefit from power imports from Tanzania and other East African countries once the interconnector is complete.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Angola: Chevron Signs Contracts For Ultra-Deepwater Blocks Amid Attractive Policies
Multinational energy corporation Chevron has signed two Risk Service Contracts (RSC) for Block 49 and Block 50, located in the ultra-deep waters of Angola’s Lower Congo Basin.
The company – through its Angolan subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited – was initially awarded the concessions by way of Presidential Decree in January 2024.
The signing of the RSCs kicks off exploration and lays the foundation for the development of the blocks.
As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) commends the recent signing by Chevron in Angola.
Chevron’s rich history of exploration and production in the country – covering 70 years – could not have been possible without Angola’s strong regulatory environment and the AEC supports the ongoing efforts by the multinational to expanding Angola’s oil and gas market.
Representing the company’s first operated assets outside of the existing Cabinda concessions, Block 49 and 50 are situated in close proximity to producing concessions such as Block 17 – one of the first deep-offshore blocks to be licensed in Angola.
As such, the blocks hold substantial potential for strong returns and further expand Angola’s portfolio of producing ultra-deepwater assets.
Earlier this year, Chevron signed an agreement with Angola’s national concessionaire – the National Oil, Gas & Biofuels Agency – to conduct seismic surveys in Blocks 49 and 50.
These studies will improve the geological understanding of the concessions and advance the exploration agenda.
The RSCs add to Chevron’s strong asset portfolio in Angola.
The company currently has a 26% market share in the country, with interests in Block 0 and 14 – which produce an average of 70,000 barrels of liquids per day and 259 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.
Block 0 – whose concession has been extended to 2050 – is comprised of 21 fields, while Block 14 contains nine fields.
An agreement signed between Chevron and the government in 2020 combined all of Block 14’s development areas, providing improved fiscal terms while extending the production sharing contract to 2028.
Additionally, in 2023, Chevron signed a production sharing agreement to manage operations within the Block 14/23 concession area.
The concession is situated in the Zone of Common Interest shared by Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the agreement seeing Chevron act as operator with a 31% stake in the block.
Chevron’s operations in Angola transcend oil and gas exploration, with the company holding non-operating interests in the Angola LNG plant – Angola’s inaugural LNG facility.
Angola LNG processes gas from offshore concessions, generating critical revenue for the country through LNG exports. In 2023, the facility reached a milestone of delivering its 400th LNG cargo.
Going forward, the development of new concessions aims to bolster LNG production at the facility.
Specifically, the Chevron-operated Sanha Lean Gas Connection Project – valued at $300 million – comprises the development of a platform that ties into the existing Sanha Condensate complex and features pipelines connecting Block 0 and 14 to the Angola LNG facility.
The project reached a final investment decision in 2021 and aims to address a supply gap at Angola LNG.
Beyond exploration and production, Chevron is spearheading low-carbon solutions across Angola’s oil and gas industry.
The multinational signed an agreement with the government in October 2023 to explore low-carbon business opportunities, with the goal to utilize nature-based and technological carbon offsets – alongside lower-carbon intensity fuels such as hydrogen – to enhance the country’s production.
This will be undertaken in conjunction with oil and gas initiatives and showcases Chevron’s future-oriented approach to energy development in Angola.
“Chevron’s recent signing of two RSCs further underscores the value of implementing a strong regulatory and fiscal environment in Africa.
“When governments open up the market through attractive fiscal terms, the industry will respond positively.
“This is clearly evident in Angola where a commitment to creating an enabling environment for doing business has and continues to attract foreign companies.
“Other countries in Africa should learn from this and adopt proactive measures to attracting foreign capital,” states NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the AEC.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana: Moroccan Energy And Customs Managers Understudy NPA’s Operations
A four-member delegation from the Moroccan Ministry of Energy Transition and the Customs and Indirect Administration is in the Republic of Ghana to understudy the National Petroleum Authority’s petroleum distribution system relative to tax administration.
The team is seeking to have a better insight into the implementation of the Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), the Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV) Electronic Cargo Tracking System, and the Petroleum Product Marking Scheme (PPMS) in providing revenue assurance to the government.
An arrangement has been made for the delegation to visit the Marker Warehouse and Storage; the Depot Marking operations; the BRV Operations and Sealing of Trucks; the NTL Laboratory, and also observe the testing of petroleum products at selected retail outlets to have hands-on experience in their operations.
The delegation is led by the Director of Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration, Mr. Chafik Essalouh, with Mr. Montassir Laksiri, Customs Division; Mr. Mohsinne Zaydi of the Ministry of Energy Transition, and Mr. Elmoutadikic Ahmed, a representative of the petroleum companies in Morocco as members.
Welcoming the delegation at the NPA in Accra on Monday on behalf of the NPA Chief Executive, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, a Deputy Chief Executive of NPA, Mr. Perry Okudzeto, said the NPA was ready to share its experiences with Morocco.
He said the country depended on the importation of petroleum products as only three refineries were operational in the country at the moment.
He said if Sentuo Refinery with 40,000 barrels per day capacity settles down, and the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) resumes operations, their productions would cater for about 40 percent of the country’s demands.
Mr. Okudzeto said the NPA and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) had deployed officers at the petroleum facilities to test the quality of products, check the volumes, and ensure that all petroleum products are accounted for and the right taxes and levies are calculated.
Mr. Okudzeto said the NPA and the GRA had integrated their systems so that whatever is done in the NPA’s system is seen by the GRA and vice versa.
Mr. said the PPMS, which has to do with the marking of petroleum products, ensures the integrity of petroleum products. At the same time, the BRV Electronic Cargo Tracking System tracks the movement of fuel tankers to prevent diversion.
Responding, Mr. Essalouh said the delegation was ready to learn about Ghana’s tax regime on petroleum products and consider the possibility of integrating into the Moroccan tax system.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com