The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved $55 million for a second Djibouti-Power System Interconnection Project.
The project aims to enhance regional connectivity through improved low-cost and clean electricity transmission between Ethiopia and Djibouti.
The operation will support the construction of a second double-circuit high voltage electric power transmission line to connect the high voltage substation at Galafi, at the border with Ethiopia, to the Nagad substation, near Djibouti-Ville.
This new electricity line will help to stabilise power flows and make the systems more reliable.
The project, limited to the Djiboutian side of the interconnection line, will be financed in parallel by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Djibouti and Ethiopia.
The 60 largest banks in the world poured as much as $742 billion in fossil fuel financing in 2021 alone, a new report by environmental groups showed this week.
Since the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, the world’s largest commercial and investment banks have financed fossil fuels with a cumulative $4.6 trillion, according to the annual Banking on Climate Chaos report from Oil Change International, Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Indigenous Environmental Network, Reclaim Finance, Sierra Club, and Urgewald.
Banks have come under increased pressure and scrutiny over the past years to stop funding fossil fuels.
JPMorgan Chase “remains the world’s worst funder of climate chaos, with JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Mizuho, MUFG, and all 5 Canadian banks among those that increased their fossil financing from 2020 to 2021,” the authors of the report said.
Overall, fossil fuel financing remained dominated by four U.S. banks, as JPMorgan Chase, Citi, Wells Fargo, and Bank of America together accounted for one-quarter of all fossil fuel financing over the last six years.
Fracking received $62.1 billion in financing last year, and was dominated by North American banks with Wells Fargo at the top, funding producers like Diamondback Energy and pipeline companies like Kinder Morgan.
Coal mining financing was led by Chinese banks, the report said, with China Merchants Bank and Ping An Group leading financing for the sector in 2021.
In coal financing alone, between January 2019 and November of last year, commercial banks globally funneled a jaw-dropping $1.5 trillion into the coal industry, a previous report by environmental organizations found earlier this year.
This week’s ‘Banking on Climate Chaos’ report showed that Citi and JPMorgan Chase provided the most financing for offshore oil and gas in 2021. In total, big banks channeled $52.9 billion into offshore oil and gas financing last year, the report noted.
“With Wall Street banks leading the charge, these financial institutions are directly complicit in undermining a climate stable future for us all and must immediately end their support of any further fossil fuel infrastructure expansion,” Alison Kirsch, Research and Policy Manager at Rainforest Action Network, said, commenting on the report.
Source: Oilprice.com
Energy experts say the growing oil crisis across the globe is a wake-up call for the African continent to be become less dependent on foreign oil supplies.
The cost of fuel has risen sharply, with Brent crude oil hitting a 14-year high in recent weeks. It remains firmly above $100 per barrel at the time of publication.
With the military conflict in Ukraine, concerns have arisen around the world’s ability to meet its energy needs. The United States and the United Kingdom have banned Russian oil imports, with the European Union under pressure to follow suit.
“Nobody really anticipated needing to grow significantly,” Vicki Hollub, chief executive of Occidental Petroleum said during a recent conference in Texas (https://nyti.ms/3NCxrG3). “That’s the challenge now. If you didn’t plan for growth, you’re not going to be able to achieve growth today.”
Regardless of the outcome, the squeeze is being felt across the globe. Some governments have decided to subsidise their citizens’ energy bills, or to reduce the cost of public transport, as has been the case in New Zealand (https://bit.ly/3NDe5QQ).
What about Africa?
“African countries are re-evaluating their energy mix options,” says Paul Sinclair, vice president of energy for Africa Oil Week (Africa-OilWeek.com/Home), the continent’s leading energy conference.
“There are untapped oil and gas reserves in Africa which we believe should be developed with good carbon management strategies. Oil and gas offer solutions to regional and international energy demand” says Sinclair.
“Whilst the world transitions to low carbon it is imperative that Africa develop its upstream capabilities alongside renewable energy solutions which will result in a win-win for all”
Sinclair says African countries are re-thinking their approach to energy.
“I expect we will see a major shift in policies in many countries to address their energy needs, amidst this crisis, when heads of state, ministers, business leaders and stakeholders gather at Africa Oil Week 2022 in Cape Town, October 3rd – 7th.”
Sinclair says Africa’s energy requirements need to factor in the economic imperatives of the continent.
“According to the United Nations (https://bit.ly/3IUviBN), an estimated 490 million people live below the poverty line and less than half of African countries have experienced inclusive growth in over twenty years,” says Sinclair. “By adding an energy crisis to the mix, I have little doubt that we will see a strategic review in this sector.”
However, oil and gas are not the only options for Africa. The Green Energy Africa Summit, also in Cape Town October 3rd – 7th, will be delivered alongside Africa Oil Week to ensure the overall energy mix is addressed from nation to nation. The events together will allow delegates to get a 360-degree view of the sector during a time of disruption.
Only 18 (https://bit.ly/3DslCgE) of Africa’s 55 nations currently produce oil, led by Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and Egypt. Together, they produce less than 10% (https://bit.ly/36YlcCH) of the world’s output.
“When you study the numbers, you can see that Africa has no choice in the current circumstances to increase its energy security,” says Sinclair.
This is already happening. South Africa has been exploring potential gas deposits off its coastline, while the Gambia is looking to license two oil-exploration sites in coming months.
Mozambique and Tanzania have reportedly discovered crude oil, while exploration (https://bit.ly/373AWEk) has been undertaken in some other African countries, such as Chad, Sudan, and Namibia.
Approximately 2 400 hydrocarbon deposits (https://bit.ly/3tUuNUj) have been discovered in Africa, 700 of them large enough for significant exploration.
“2022 will be a significant year in the African energy sector” predicts Sinclair. “The continent knows it needs to expand its production of hydrocarbons and renewable energy production if its economies are to remain competitive. We expect this will be an area of high investment,” he says.
About Africa Oil Week and the Green Energy Africa Summit
The Africa Oil Week offers 4 days of pioneering insights, from ministerial panels to strategic outlooks designed to drive investment into the African upstream for the benefit of the continent. At the heart of the event are some of the most compelling insights into the upstream strategies of governments from across the continent.
These extensive and varied networking opportunities have resulted in an unprecedented return of delegates year after year.
AOW is globally renowned for bringing the most senior delegates together each year. In 2021, AOW welcomed 30+ Ministers and Government Leaders, 2,000+ C-level delegates, representatives, and hundreds of SVPs and VPs of Africa, Exploration and New Ventures – making the event the most influential energy conference in Africa.
Whilst Africa Oil Week will retain its own identity as a pure-play Hydrocarbons event to advocate upstream development. The Green Energy Africa Summit will also play its role in driving enabling environments to ensure foreign direct investment is deployed into game-changing projects that will reduce the energy deficit and provide energy access for all across the continent.
Source: Africa Oil Week
A South African court has halted oil giant Shell’s seismic testing for oil and gas along the country’s eastern coastline, pending a final ruling.
The decision has been hailed by environmentalists who fear that the sound blasting will harm marine life.
Shell said it had “paused” operations while it reviewed the judgement.
South Africa’s Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe had condemned the project’s critics, saying they wanted to deprive Africa of energy resources.
In his ruling, High Court Judge Gerald Bloem said that Shell’s right to explore the waters near the Wild Coast “was awarded on the basis of a substantially flawed consultation process”.
The 250km (155-mile) stretch of coastline in Eastern Cape province is known for its natural beauty and marine life.
Campaigners argued that many sea creatures – including whales, dolphins and seals – would be affected by the seismic testing.
Local communities, who were also represented in the case, said that their customary rights to the land and fishing had not been respected.
Welcoming the ruling, local campaigner Nonhle Mbuthuma said: “As coastal communities we have relied on the sea for centuries – and we are glad that the judge has recognised that our ocean livelihoods must not be sacrificed for short term profit.”
Seismic surveys are carried out as a means of mapping what lies beneath the seafloor.
Shockwaves fired from an air gun – like a very powerful speaker – are blasted down towards the seabed. The sound that returns reveals whether there is, for example, oil locked in the rock beneath.
Shell had begun surveying the 6,000-sq-km area at the beginning of December after an earlier court judgment said it could go ahead. In that case, the judge said that those who wanted to prevent the survey had not provided enough evidence to show the environmental harm.
In Tuesday’s ruling, Justice Bloem said that experts had testified to the damage the testing could cause and Shell had not sufficiently challenged that.
Katherine Robinson from the non-governmental organisation Natural Justice said the ruling was a “huge victory”, but added that the “struggle is not over”.
“This decision is just the interdict. We understand that the proceedings will continue,” she was quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
In its response, Shell said: “We respect the court’s decision and have paused the survey while we review the judgment.”
Shell had earlier warned that if the case went against it, it might cancel the entire operation, losing the chance to extract millions of dollars worth of oil and gas.
Source: The Star
Tullow Ghana, a subsidiary of Tullow Oil Plc., has completed its 12th Sustainable Kindergarten project at the Aboadze-Abuesi Basic School in the Shama District of the Western Region.
The new Aboadze-Abuesi KG block is a two-classroom with a playground, a canteen and a washroom.
The project in Aboadze-Abuesi, like the previous projects, included the training of teachers in the Montessori training style.
Since 2011, Tullow Ghana has embarked on the Sustainable Kindergarten Project designed to help communities with basic education.
The project is the pre-tertiary component of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiative which forms part of Tullow’s larger educational support programme that spans from kindergarten through university education.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the facility, Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Tullow Ghana, Cynthia Lumor, stated that the construction of these kindergartens and the training of teachers formed part of Tullow’s pledge to positively impact communities through educational development initiatives.
“Over the last ten years, we have in line with our shared prosperity programme focused on educational development initiatives that are intended to positively impact communities, especially the ones within our operational area. This has taken us on a journey to construct 11 other kindergartens in Western and the Central Regions, trained 31 KG teachers in GES approved pedagogy, equipped 12 headteachers with skills in the management of the Montessori system of education and graduated over 2200 from all 12 KGs; just because we believe that a successful educational career is dependent on our children having solid foundations,” she said.
She emphasised that the educational initiatives are geared toward developing interest and skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education from the kindergarten level to the tertiary level.
While acknowledging the role and support of the community in the construction of the two-classroom KG facility, Cynthia Lumor encouraged all in the community to “demonstrate positive maintenance culture by supporting with the fixing of little things on this facility when the need arises.”
The DMD also expressed gratitude to its partner, Sabre Education for putting up a beautiful edifice for the community.
According to her, Tullow Ghana’s partnership with Sabre Education has proven to be valuable.
On his part, the Member of Parliament for Sekondi Constituency and Deputy Minister for Energy, Andrew E. Mercer, who served as the special guest of honour at the occasion commended Tullow Ghana for implementing a project that would give Ghanaian children a head-start in STEM education.
“This facility will not only be a place to study but to help them nurture and develop an interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics related careers. Ghana’s energy sector needs more engineers and technicians with the requisite knowledge to contribute to its development. In cognizance of this, the government under the leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic, has rolled out the free Senior High School policy to give every child across the country the opportunity to possess quality education.
“The Tullow Sustainable Kindergarten project is, therefore, in line with the government’s objective to build capacity and enhance access to basic education in the country. With a carefully planned layout of the school and a robust pedagogy, I am confident that teaching and learning in this facility will be exciting and insightful.
”I also seize this opportunity to thank Tullow Ghana and its partners for the support they are giving to the free SHS policy through the construction of modern classroom blocks in selected Senior High Schools in Ghana. Other initiatives like the construction of the Jubilee technical training centre and Takoradi Technical Training University and the continuous collaboration of government institutions to provide training to businesses in the oil and gas sector is a clear indication of Tullow Ghana’s commitment to the development of talents and human capacity in the country,” he indicated.
The Minister also used the opportunity to urge other organisations to emulate Tullow’s commitment to working with the government to develop the talent and the capacity of the country.
The Executive Director at Sabre Education, Tony Dogbe, described the facility as Tullow’s gift to the community and thus urged the local authorities and the community to maintain the complex and keep it in good shape.
Headmistress of the school, Mrs Vida Nana Bentum expressed gratitude to Tullow Ghana and Sabre Education when she said: “The names of Tullow and Sabre will forever be indelibly imprinted in the minds of children in particular and the community as a whole for this kind gesture. You have demonstrated that you care. I, therefore, wish to appeal to you, to adopt us and provide us with other facilities such as an ICT centre and Science lab that could enhance teaching and learning.”
Present at the commissioning of the facility was the District Chief Executive of Shama, Ebenezer Dadzie, Tony Aidoo, staff of Aboadze-Abuesi Basic School, a representative from the District Education Office, officials of Tullow Ghana and Sabre Education.
The 12 completed kindergartens are located in the following communities; Abuesi Aboadze Community in the Shama District, Ayensudo (Komenda Municipality)-Cape Coast, Akwidaa, Ahanta East District, Punpuni, Ahanta East DistrictKrisan/Sanzule, Ellembele District, New Bankata, Ellembele District, Ehunyame, Nzema East Metropolis, Domunli, Nzema East Metropolis, Benin, Nzema West District, Amenano, Shama, Shama District, Holy Child Teachers Training College, STMA and Nkontompo community in STMA.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo) has restored the power supply to Koblimahigu, a suburb of Tamale, after several days of keeping the residents in darkness.
The restoration of the power supply follows a request by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to the power distributor after Ya-Naa Abukari II, the King and Overlord of the Dagbon State, made a passionate appeal for the power to be restored.
NEDCo cut power supply to the area following recent attacks on its staff by some residents of the area.
A statement issued by Edward Kingstony Boduah, Northern Regional Manager of PURC to NEDCo, said: “The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission requests NEDCo to immediately restore electric power to the community to smoothen the ongoing engagement process for installation of the Split Meters.”
In a speech read by His Royal Highness Zangbalun Naa Yakubu II, Paramount Chief of Zangbalun Traditional Area, on behalf of King and Overlord of Dagbon State, Ya-Na Abukari II, on Tuesday, he condemned the attacks on the staff of NEDCo by some of the residents of Korblimahigu.
The King, who frowned on the actions of the residents, also expressed unhappiness about NEDCo for disconnecting the community from the national grid because of the misconduct of a few people in the area.
“I call on the Managing Director of NEDCo, as a way of urgency, to immediately restore power supply to Korblimahigu area without any further delay,” he stated.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Millennium Development Authority, MiDA, has inaugurated a Utility Geographic Information System at a cost of US$8.5 million at the project office of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in Accra to support the company’s operations.
The project is part of modernising the Utility Operations Activity, one of four project activities making up the ECG Financial and Operational Turnaround Project (EFOT).
The utility GIS provides a digital platform and tools for ECG to plan, manage and efficiently operate its network to meet global utility management standards.
With the GIS, ECG’s operations are expected to improve since the company currently relies on manual and stand -alone computerized systems to locate and identify assets and customers in the field and to design, construct and operate it’s network for planning and service delivery purposes.
This approach to service delivery and operations is time consuming and inefficient.
In a speech delivered on her behalf at the inauguration of the GIS, Board Chair of MiDA, Prof Yaa Ntiamoah-Baidu said while the BSPs and LV Bifurcation projects have focused on improving the quality of power supply and customer experience, the GIS project supports ECG to become operationally more efficient.
“This Utility GIS will provide a digital platform and tools for ECG to plan, manage and efficiently operate its network to meet global utility management standards.
“ECG’s services to the customer will improve from the reliability and quality of the power supplied to the time it takes to connect new applicants, read and deliver electricity bills, and respond to customer concerns,” she explained.
The System will also enable ECG to increase the efficiency with which it collects its revenues, reduce technical and commercial losses, and plan and construct its networks.
“We on the MiDA Board are hopeful that the System will be put to use and that the expected benefits from this massive investment will be realized,” she stressed.
Prof Ntiamoah-Baidu expressed MiDA’s gratitude to the United States Government for their US$316m investment, which has been provided through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), to improve Ghana’s power sector.
Board Chairman of ECG, Mr Keli Gadzekpo who outlined the benefits of GIS commended MiDA, MCC and Government of Ghana for the continuous support to ECG.
He said ECG contributed about US$1.5 million towards the project.
Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh in a speech read for him by Mr Solomon Adjetey, Director for Power at the Ministry noted that with the Ghana Power Compact II, the country has witnessed important projects such as the Meter Management Systems (MMS), Construction of Substations / Bulk Supply Points(BSPs)(Pokuase and Kasoa), the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) amongst others which have enhanced the reliability of electricity distribution.
The Minister noted that the GIS would help ECG attain an accurate asset inventory with electric poles, transformers, cable lines, substations and other electric utility assets if properly managed.
Dr. Matthew Opoku charged ECG to address a plethora of challenges faced in the power distribution, including poor customer data handling/management, unsatisfactory responsiveness to customer complaints, high level of distribution losses , inadequate manpower to ensure efficient operations especially in remote areas and low collection rate contributing to recurrent financial losses.
Dr. Samuel Kobina DeSouza, Board Member of MiDAMr. Solomon Adjetey, Director for Power at the Ministry of EnergyMr Keli Gadzekpo, Board Chairman of ECGSource: https://energynewsafrica.com
Six people have been confirmed dead after a fuel tanker explosion in Lagos, Nigeria, last Sunday, March 27, 2022.
According to BBC, a motorbiker was caught in the flames.
The explosion occurred after the fuel tanker collided head-on with another truck, resulting in the blaze which destroyed both vehicles.
Nigeria has seen frequent deadly road accidents and explosions involving fuel tankers in recent years.
Road accidents in Nigeria are mostly blamed on bad roads, disregard for traffic regulations and poor maintenance of vehicles.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya’s Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) officials are in Ghana, West Africa, to understudy Ghana’s power and petroleum sector and learn from her success story.
Led by Daniel Kiptoo, Director General of EPRA, the delegation visited Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, NPA, where the guest was taken through key operations of the latter.
Welcoming them to the NPA head office in Accra, the capital of Ghana, the Chief Executive Officer of NPA, Dr. Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, outlined some areas where the two countries could collaborate.
The delegation would visit other allied institutions in the petroleum downstream sector while in Ghana.
The visit was a replication of a similar visit by NPA officials in January this year.
When contacted on WhatsApp on the purpose of their visit to Ghana, Daniel Kiptoo said: “We’re to benchmark with the Ghanaian authorities.”
EPRA regulates the entire energy sector and has oversight responsibilities over both the petroleum upstream and downstream sectors, as well as electricity and other energy generation sources in Kenya, including renewable energy.
Neighbouring countries such as Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo also import petroleum products through Kenya’s pipeline system.
Kenya operates an efficient network of petroleum product pipelines connecting its port city of Mombasa to the capital Nairobi and other counties in the country.
Daniel Kiptoo, Director -General of EPRA , Kenya
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Plc (AEDC) has appointed Mr Adeoye Fadeyibi as its new Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
This comes after the resignation of Engr Akinwumi Bada who served as the company’s Interim Managing Director since last year.
Before joining AEDC, Fadeyibi was the Managing Director of Eko Electricity Distribution Company, (EKEDC), a Lagos-based electricity utility company, and is credited to have turned around the fortune of EKEDC by significantly reducing the company’s Aggregate, Technical, Commercial and Collection (ATC&C) losses, expanding its revenue base and delivering innovation in several aspects of the business.
He was also the pioneer Managing Director at Transcorp Power Ltd, Ughelli, Delta State, where he ramped up the generating company’s performance from 164MW to 634MW in 25 months.
He joined Transcorp Power from General Electric where he had held several strategic roles with oversight for the Middle East and Africa.
A fellow of several professional bodies, Fadeyibi obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the State University of New York, SUNY Buffalo, New York, and the General Electric Power Systems University in Schenectady, New York, where he completed his training in turbine power systems and applied knowledge obtained towards developing the Global Turbines/Generator Field resources.
Meanwhile, AEDC also announced the appointment of Engr Kassim Abdulahi Burkullu as its new Chief Technical Officer (CTO), replacing Mr Oluwafemi Zacchaeus who had served as the Interim Chief Technical Officer.
Burkullu, a seasoned engineer and energy industry expert, brings over 25 years’ cognate experience spanning several sectors.
He joined AEDC from Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) where he was Head of Corporate Technical Operations Services.
In a statement, the Chairman of the AEDC Board, Mr Victor Osadolor, said: “We are very delighted that both Fadeyibi and Burkullu are joining our company and bringing with them exceptional abilities and invaluable industry expertise. They will effectively complement the composition of the management team already in place.
“These appointments are necessary steps in positioning AEDC towards efficiency in customer service delivery and ensuring the effectiveness of turn-around embarked upon by the new management of the company. We are convinced that with a combined industry experience of over five decades, the new executives are very capable of meeting the yearnings of millions of our customers who seek seamless power services,” Osadolor said.
Commenting on his appointment, Fadeyibi said, “I must commend the management of AEDC and the previous MD for the work done so far and for the confidence reposed in me to help achieve the goals of this great organisation. I have studied the strategic focus of this business and with the full support of the board, we are sure to meet and even surpass our expectations for this great company.”
The appointments are with immediate effect.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Dangote Refinery in Nigeria has been attacked by 20 hoodlums with one of them reportedly killed by the police.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement that said 19 of the attackers managed to escape.
The 650 barrels per day capacity refinery located at the Lekki Free Trade Zone area of Lagos State is expected to be commissioned this year.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Public Relations Officer of the Police Command, said the attack occurred on the early morning of Monday and police operatives engaged the hoodlums in exchange for fire.
“Armed hoodlums numbering about twenty who gained access to the refinery through the lagoon side were repelled while attempting to cart away already-installed armoured cables in the refinery.
“The hoodlums, on sighting security operatives, fled the scene. One of the hoodlums was hit in the ensuing gunfire and died on the way to the hospital.
“Investigation has commenced arresting the fleeing attackers.”
Security at the refinery has since been intensified.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Vivo Energy Ghana’s Corporate Communications Manager, Shirley Tony Kum, has been named among Ghana’s Top 10 Women in Public Relations (PR) in the fifth edition of the Women in PR Ghana ranking.
Shirley has been recognised for this honour for the fourth time in a row among other great PR minds in the industry.
The Women in PR Ghana ranking recognises public relations professionals who demonstrate value, agility and digital savviness to project their contribution to the industry and their respective companies.
Shirley is that light that keeps shining at all corners. The year 2021 has been another remarkable and impactful career journey for Shirley and her organisation as reflected in their projects, campaigns and recognitions.
From driving her company’s National Road Safety Campaign dubbed ‘Stop, Think & Drive’ to launching the Vivo Energy Community Digital Literacy Project and International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations, we can appreciate the strategic role of the communications function at Vivo Energy Ghana. Her works also highlight several activities targeted at their employees, customers, communities and other stakeholders.
Shirley has led Vivo Energy Ghana (Shell Licensee) to win several awards and accolades, including being inducted into the Hall of Fame for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at the Ghana Oil and Gas Awards in 2021, and their ‘Stop, Think, & Drive’ Road Safety Campaign being adjudged winner of the Vivo Energy Group’s Reputation Award Category.
Other recognitions won by her company include winning the Employee Communications Category of the 2020 SABRE Awards at the African Public Relations Association (APRA) Conference in September 2021 and being adjudged the Most Promising Organization in Learning and Development Practice at the 2021 HR Focus Awards.
Shirley continues to shine her light as an all-around senior communications executive through mentorship and speaking engagements.
Shirley has spoken at several events including the Today’s Woman Empowerment Summit, Africa Corporate Lounge, UKGCC Press Freedom Day roundtable event, and mentored several young professionals at the Agrihouse Foundation AG-STUD Africa Career Guidance and Mentorship Dialogue Boot camp, among others.
In the year under review, Shirley was appointed a member of the Governing Council of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) and continues to serve as the Honorary Secretary of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana.
Shirley has demonstrated a solid record of accomplishment in effectively managing Vivo Energy Ghana’s reputation by demonstrating a deeper understanding of the synergy between the PR function and sales growth.
“With all these achievements and more in the year 2021, we are proud to name her as one of our top 10 women,” the recognition announcement stated.
Commenting on the award, Shirley congratulated her fellow Women in PR and said, “I am humbled by this recognition and I thank God for this feat. I see this as a challenge to do more for our profession, organization, partners and the entire PR ecosystem that supports our growth. Communication is an enabler for organisational growth and may this recognition inspire us to achieve business excellence while creating a shared value for our stakeholders including communities where we operate.”
She also commended the Women in PR Ghana Team and urged them to keep up the good work.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Interim Managing Director of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Engr Akinwumi BADA has allegedly resigned from his post.
Nigeria-based Optimum Times reported Engr Akinwumi’s resignation, citing unnamed impeccable sources as confirming his resignation.
According to the portal, Adeoye Fadeyibi, who is the Managing Director and CEO of Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has been appointed to head AEDC following the resignation of Engr Akinwumi Bada.
The Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) announced Bada Akinwumi as the Interim Managing Director of AEDC in December 2021 when the UBA Bank disengaged its previous management after KANN, which is the core investor failed to pay loans it secured from UBA.
His appointment was approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the apex regulator of the power sector.
Other members of the team were Sani Usman, Interim Chief Business Officer; Babajide Ibironke, Interim Chief Finance Officer; Donald Etim, Interim Chief Marketing Officer, and Femi Zacchaeus as Interim Chief Technical Officer.
Chairman of NERC, Sanusi Garba, in approving the appointments, said the development is in pursuance of the earlier fit and proper review of BPE’s pool of nominees and the context of the business continuity framework of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
NERC and BPE, in a joint statement signed by NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, and Director General of BPE, Alex Okoh, stated that there had been an ongoing dispute amongst competing factions of AEDC’s majority shareholder/core investor KANN Utility Company Limited (KANN).
“The dispute eventually spilt over with the lender that provided the acquisition loan to KANN for the acquisition of majority shares during the privatisation exercise in 2013, over KANN’s inability to service its debt to the bank.
“The United Bank for Africa (UBA) had acted as Mandated Lead Arranger, underwriting the entire facility of US$ 122 million (about N20 billion) for KANN utility acquisition of AEDC.”
The statement further cited that the protracted disagreements among the core investors resulted in AEDC not only struggling to meet its obligations to the market under the terms and conditions of its licence but was also unable to meet its obligations to key stakeholders in the organisation, including staff.
The statement stated that this culminated in the industrial action by members of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) which resulted in a total service disruption on December 6, for over 14 hours in AEDC’s network area.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rigworld International, an upstream oil and gas services provider in Ghana and West Africa, Dr. Kofi Amoah Abban, has been awarded for his contribution to the oil and gas sector in Ghana and beyond.
He was awarded alongside 39 young African entrepreneurs from 16 countries operating in various sectors such as banking and finance, energy, agriculture, theatre and arts, journalism, health, fashion, law, sports management, technology and innovation.
The awards ceremony that happened at the weekend at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra, the capital of Ghana, was organised by Xodus Communications Limited.
The awards aimed at celebrating the achievements of young entrepreneurs.
The Chief Executive Officer of Xodus Communications Limited, Richard Abbey Jnr, organiser of the event, said the objective of the Awards was to recognise and celebrate emerging leaders under the age of 40 who demonstrated exceptional leadership while proving to the upcoming youth of Africa that “excellence could be achieved at a very tender age.”
He expressed excitement as the nominees emerged from 16 countries on the continent, saying that moving forward, “we would have over 30 countries participating in the awards scheme.”
Mr Abbey added that the award was a means to market Africa to the world and show the world what the African continent was capable of.
“The Tullow Sustainable Kindergarten project is, therefore, in line with the government’s objective to build capacity and enhance access to basic education in the country. With a carefully planned layout of the school and a robust pedagogy, I am confident that teaching and learning in this facility will be exciting and insightful.
”I also seize this opportunity to thank Tullow Ghana and its partners for the support they are giving to the free SHS policy through the construction of modern classroom blocks in selected Senior High Schools in Ghana. Other initiatives like the construction of the Jubilee technical training centre and Takoradi Technical Training University and the continuous collaboration of government institutions to provide training to businesses in the oil and gas sector is a clear indication of Tullow Ghana’s commitment to the development of talents and human capacity in the country,” he indicated.
The Minister also used the opportunity to urge other organisations to emulate Tullow’s commitment to working with the government to develop the talent and the capacity of the country.
The Executive Director at Sabre Education, Tony Dogbe, described the facility as Tullow’s gift to the community and thus urged the local authorities and the community to maintain the complex and keep it in good shape.
Headmistress of the school, Mrs Vida Nana Bentum expressed gratitude to Tullow Ghana and Sabre Education when she said: “The names of Tullow and Sabre will forever be indelibly imprinted in the minds of children in particular and the community as a whole for this kind gesture. You have demonstrated that you care. I, therefore, wish to appeal to you, to adopt us and provide us with other facilities such as an ICT centre and Science lab that could enhance teaching and learning.”
Present at the commissioning of the facility was the District Chief Executive of Shama, Ebenezer Dadzie, Tony Aidoo, staff of Aboadze-Abuesi Basic School, a representative from the District Education Office, officials of Tullow Ghana and Sabre Education.
The 12 completed kindergartens are located in the following communities; Abuesi Aboadze Community in the Shama District, Ayensudo (Komenda Municipality)-Cape Coast, Akwidaa, Ahanta East District, Punpuni, Ahanta East DistrictKrisan/Sanzule, Ellembele District, New Bankata, Ellembele District, Ehunyame, Nzema East Metropolis, Domunli, Nzema East Metropolis, Benin, Nzema West District, Amenano, Shama, Shama District, Holy Child Teachers Training College, STMA and Nkontompo community in STMA.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
The System will also enable ECG to increase the efficiency with which it collects its revenues, reduce technical and commercial losses, and plan and construct its networks.
“We on the MiDA Board are hopeful that the System will be put to use and that the expected benefits from this massive investment will be realized,” she stressed.
Prof Ntiamoah-Baidu expressed MiDA’s gratitude to the United States Government for their US$316m investment, which has been provided through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), to improve Ghana’s power sector.
Board Chairman of ECG, Mr Keli Gadzekpo who outlined the benefits of GIS commended MiDA, MCC and Government of Ghana for the continuous support to ECG.
He said ECG contributed about US$1.5 million towards the project.
Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh in a speech read for him by Mr Solomon Adjetey, Director for Power at the Ministry noted that with the Ghana Power Compact II, the country has witnessed important projects such as the Meter Management Systems (MMS), Construction of Substations / Bulk Supply Points(BSPs)(Pokuase and Kasoa), the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) amongst others which have enhanced the reliability of electricity distribution.
The Minister noted that the GIS would help ECG attain an accurate asset inventory with electric poles, transformers, cable lines, substations and other electric utility assets if properly managed.
Dr. Matthew Opoku charged ECG to address a plethora of challenges faced in the power distribution, including poor customer data handling/management, unsatisfactory responsiveness to customer complaints, high level of distribution losses , inadequate manpower to ensure efficient operations especially in remote areas and low collection rate contributing to recurrent financial losses.
Dr. Samuel Kobina DeSouza, Board Member of MiDA
Mr. Solomon Adjetey, Director for Power at the Ministry of Energy
In the year under review, Shirley was appointed a member of the Governing Council of the African University College of Communications (AUCC) and continues to serve as the Honorary Secretary of the Institute of Public Relations, Ghana.
Shirley has demonstrated a solid record of accomplishment in effectively managing Vivo Energy Ghana’s reputation by demonstrating a deeper understanding of the synergy between the PR function and sales growth.
“With all these achievements and more in the year 2021, we are proud to name her as one of our top 10 women,” the recognition announcement stated.
Commenting on the award, Shirley congratulated her fellow Women in PR and said, “I am humbled by this recognition and I thank God for this feat. I see this as a challenge to do more for our profession, organization, partners and the entire PR ecosystem that supports our growth. Communication is an enabler for organisational growth and may this recognition inspire us to achieve business excellence while creating a shared value for our stakeholders including communities where we operate.”
She also commended the Women in PR Ghana Team and urged them to keep up the good work.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com