The National Petroleum Authority has commissioned a 3-unit and 2-unit classroom blocks with ancillary facilities for two schools who were studying under shed roofs in the Eastern Region.
The Authority fully funded the construction of the 3-unit classroom block for the Asifaw Junior High School in the Okere District Assembly and a 2-unit Kindergarten block for the Pakro Presby Basic School in Akuapim South Municipal Assembly.
The District Assemblies in the later part of last year reached out to NPA to assist in the construction of the classroom blocks.
The school had been without a classroom block, hence, teaching and learning was done under a temporary bamboo structure which was in a deplorable state.
At a brief ceremony to hand-over the school blocks to the District Education Directorates in both districts, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid said the donation forms part of the Authority’s corporate social responsibilities of giving back to the society.
He stated the project would benefit the pupils in these schools as well as its surrounding communities. “It is our belief that this support will improve the fortunes of students from this community.”
Challenging staff and students of the school to take good care of the facility, he said with quality teaching and learning in these schools, he had no doubt the students would compete with their colleagues in other resourceful and upscale schools in the country.
On their part, the District Chief Executives in these areas, Mr. Daniel Kenneth for Okere and Frank Aidoo for Akuapim hailed the NPA for the support rendered the schools, describing it as worthy course.
They, therefore, called on the teachers of the school to soldier on their responsibilities of encouraging students to learn hard as they aspire to become future leaders.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) Plc has decried the spate of destruction within its network.
According to IBEDC, the activities of vandals are beginning to cripple power distribution to its esteemed customers.
A statement signed by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Company, Engr John Ayodele, said on the night of 29th June, unknown civilians and armed men, cladded in police and civil defence uniforms, carted away IBEDC 33kV underground cables at the Mokola round-about in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The stolen cables feed Agodi Injection Substation, where Government House, the State Secretariat, Agodi and majority of Bodija area and thousands of other urban customers are serviced. This means the economic power and livelihood of these people have been grossly disrupted, as we are incapacitated by the stolen cables to meet the supply-demand. And this is just one of the various instances of the nefarious activities of vandals within our franchise,” Engr Ayodele said.
IBEDC losses over fifty million Naira every month to vandals through stolen cables damaged transformers and other network infrastructure.
He appealed to IBEDC customers to jealously guard electrical installations within their environments to avoid being plunged into unexpected darkness, as the company cannot afford to replace any vandalised installations for now.
“We implore all residents and customers to report any act suspected to be vandalism to the nearest Police Station, Civil Defence and the Department of State Service. IBEDC does not operate late nights and all activities that occur after 8 pm should be suspected and reported accordingly,” he said.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Tullow Ghana Limited (Tullow), operator of the offshore Jubilee and TEN fields, has awarded a five-year contract to Petrofac Ghana (Petrofac) to support operations and maintenance activities on the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah (KNK).
Petrofac is the largest amongst a number of companies, all of which are either indigenous Ghanaian firms or local joint ventures, which will assume the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) of the KNK FPSO following the expiry of Tullow’s contract with MODEC Production Services Ghana JV Ltd (MODEC) which ended on 30th June 2022.
Tullow as the field operator remains accountable for the safe and reliable operations in Jubilee including the KNK FPSO.
The transition of the management of the KNK, prompted by the expiry of the MODEC contract forms part of Tullow’s long-term vision to become a top quartile production company in terms of safe operations, emissions control, increased reliability, and cost efficiency. The transition is expected to deliver improved safety performance, reduced operating costs and sustained production efficiency.
Commenting on the new partnership with Petrofac, Tullow chief executive officer, Rahul Dhir said: “this new partnership with Petrofac will leverage Petrofac’s years of experience in operating onshore and offshore facilities and will deliver improved operations on KNK.
Rahur Dhir, CEO of Tullow Oil PLC
In particular, Petrofac’s experience in workforce training will be key in helping Tullow develop Ghanaian talent in leadership roles in the management of Ghana’s offshore facilities. As we embark on this change, I want to thank MODEC for the support they have provided us over the last twelve years.
Nick Shorten, chief operating officer for Petrofac’s Asset Solutions business said: “I’m delighted that we are continuing to grow our presence in Africa with valued long-term partner Tullow Oil.
“We bring our considerable global FPSO experience to Ghana, also putting us in a good position to support other similar facilities in the region. Petrofac has been in North Africa for more than two decades and now we are building our presence across the continent, growing local jobs, developing local skills and collaborating with local partners.”
Tullow and MODEC worked on a smooth transition of O&M services and achieved a seamless transition
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s second state largest power generation company, Bui Power Authority, will soon commence the construction of a 50 Megawatts peak (MWp) Solar Project in Yendi in the Northern Region of Ghana.
BPA is currently the Renewable Energy leader in the Republic of Ghana.
The company is constructing a 250 MWp solar project in phases with phase one already completed and supplying power to the national grid.
It also operates 1MW floating solar on the Bui River and 45kW mini hydro power on Tsatsadu River at Alavanyo -Abehenease in the Hohoe Constituency in the Volta Region.
Last Wednesday, the Chief Executive Officer of BPA, Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, led a delegation from BPA to inspect the site of the upcoming 50MWp Solar Project in Yendi.
Accompanied by the Municipal Chief Executive of Yendi, Ahmed Yussuf Abubakar, the team, first, called on the Chief of Galgu, Galgu-Naa, in whose locality the 50MWp Solar farm would be situated.
The Galgu-Naa expressed his excitement about the project and prayed for its successful execution.
Samuel Kofi Dzamesi and his entourage also paid a courtesy call on the King of Dagbon, Nidan Ya Na Abukari II.
Receiving the delegation, Ya Na Abukari II, through his linguist, thanked the BPA as well as the President of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, for choosing to undertake the 50MWp Solar Project in Yendi.
Ya-Na Abukari II assured the contractor ,First Sky Group, of his maximum support and that of the indigenes of Yendi for the successful execution of the project.
Mr. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi commended the Ya-Na for his hospitality and assured him that the project would be carried out professionally and efficiently, maintaining the highest standards. He also promised that the contractor (First Sky Group), would complete the project ahead of the scheduled duration of 13 months.
The project would create jobs and boost economic activities in the area upon completion.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A former Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ing Samuel Boakye- Appiah, has revealed that there were several attempts by some people to get him out of office.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with energynewsafrica.com, Ing Samuel Boakye-Appiah said plots to get him out of office were too much for him to bear.
“Every day, I got some kind of information about my removal and I don’t think it augers well,” he said in pain.
Asked what could be the possible reason for the attempt to get him out, Ing Samuel Boakye-Appiah responded: “Some people didn’t just want me to be there,” adding, “it is one challenge I had to manage.”
Continuing, Ing Samuel Boakye-Appiah said apart from the internal machinations that he had to deal with, he also suffered blackmail from a section of Ghanaian journalists.
He said one journalist demanded Gh¢5 million (US $611,000) from him to trash a supposed negative story about him.
Ing Samuel Boakye-Appiah, who did not want to go into the details of the supposed negative story, said he reported the journalist to the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and he was dealt with.
Watch the video by clicking on the link below
https://fb.watch/e2qYAJ7MJG/Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company ( BOST) has been ranked as the best 8th performing state-owned enterprise among 50 enterprises at the Maiden Public Enterprise League Table (PELT) held last Thursday at the plush Kempinski Hotel in Accra.
BOST beat Energy Sector Agencies such as Volta River Authority which secured 11th position, GNPC 14th position, Ghana National Gas Company 21st position, Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) 35th position and Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company (GCMCL) 46th position.
BOST has seen a transformation over the last four years under the current Managing Director, Edwin Provencal.
At the time he assumed office in 2019, BOST’s assets, such as pipeline infrastructure, storage tanks, barges, tugboats and other vital installations had been abandoned for years without repairs.
Besides, BOST was saddled with huge legacy debts which dated back to the National Democratic Congress administration.
However, the sordid state of BOST has seen a massive improvement in the company’s assets.
In 2020, BOST recorded a profit-before tax of GHc9.84 million.
Previously, it took about four hours for Bulk Road Vehicle (BRV) drivers who went to BOST depots to load fuel.
However, after a restructuring exercise at the depots, it now takes less than two hours for the drivers to go through the pre-loading and post-loading process and exit the depots.
Speaking at the unveiling of the 2020 Public Enterprise League Table in Accra, Ghana’s Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia noted that State Entities play an important role in the economy of Ghana.
He said there is no doubt that they would continue to play critical roles in the economy going forward, and the government would give them all the support to achieve profitable and sustainable operations.
“Since 2017, however, we have seen improvements that provide hope that the measures being put in place by the government of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo are beginning to yield results.
“This is why I believe the theme: ‘Improving Public Sector Business Outcomes’ is particularly relevant to these maiden Public Enterprises League Table,” Dr Bawumia said.
Dr. Bawumia expressed worry about entities that had not presented their audited accounts over a long period.
“While stating this, however, I would like to admit that there are still several non-complying entities when it comes to financial reporting. I would like to also state that relative to timely financial reporting, the honeymoon is long over and severe sanctions will follow from now onwards for those who fail to meet required deadlines as specified in the law,” he warned.
According to Dr Bawumia, the state must generate beneficial economic and social outcomes from its investments in these entities, and the efforts made to improve reporting. The use of digital technology should make reporting much easier and seamless going forward.
He commended the Minister for Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, for the initiative.
The Minister for Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, explained that when an entity is last on this league table, it does not mean it is going on relegation, but needs more attention including training and capacity building and possibly further capitalisation by the shareholder.
On the other hand, he said when an entity is first, it means, to a large extent, it is doing the right thing and must be encouraged to do more.
“This is why the PELT must be understood as management by exception tool.
“Let the PELT keep reminding you that these issues of profitability, payment of dividends, timely reporting, efficiency in service delivery and many others, remain a challenge for us to solve after receiving or not receiving an award tonight,” he said.
The Director-General of State Interest and Governance Authority ( SIGA), Edward Boateng said SIGA, as an authority, would continue to use the PELT and other enhanced management tools available to demand growth, accountability and performance from the specified entities.
He, therefore, encouraged all SEs to take the performance contract signing seriously going forward because of this new dimension of a league table and award scheme.
Ghana’s national oil company, GNPC, has described misleading claims by the Institute for Energy Policies Research (INSTEPR) that the West African nation risks paying judgment debt over stalled decommissioning of Saltpond Offshore Oil Rig in the Central Region.
According to the GNPC, its acting CEO has not indefinitely postponed a meeting with the contractor for the commencement of the second phase of the decommissioning exercise, saying INSTEPR’s claim is false.
“It is, therefore, not correct for INSTEPR to suggest that the new Chief Executive (Mr Opoku Danquah) has postponed and subsequently cancelled the ‘meeting to start phase 2 indefinitely’. On June 27, 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC had written to the Contractor (Hans & Co) confirming July 14, 2022, as the date for the Kick-Off meeting after consultations with the Contractor and Petroleum Commission,” a statement from the GNPC said.
In a statement issued on 27th June 2022, Executive Director, Kwadwo Opoku, said: “INSTEPR has seen a letter written by HANS & Co. to Petroleum Commission on the 15th June 2022, complaining about the delay to start phase 2 of the project. This delay is costing the project since all logistics to move the Rig (Trident VIII) from Nigeria to Ghana have already been contracted and paid. The company has committed to service boats, paid for fuel in storage and hired personnel for the work.
“Anyone familiar with the upstream drilling industry will know that Jack-up Rigs are only available during certain windows, and it might take years to get another Rig available if Hans & Co. does not use the Rig Trident VIII within the specified period in this contract.
“Why are the new acting Managing Director and the board of directors acting to frustrate the decommissioning of the Saltpond field? Our investigation has not yielded any concrete reasons yet. There is one thing for certain, the cost of the project could quadruple if the posture of the Chief Executive Officer continues and possible multi-million-dollar judgement debt for breach of contract,” INSTEPR said in its statement.
Reacting to the claims by INSTEPR, GNPC explained that following the inspection of the equipment to be utilised in the decommissioning exercise in Nigeria, no definite date for the ‘kick-off’ meeting was set.
The statement pointed out that dates were proposed, pending the team meeting all the statutory approvals.
“GNPC has been working with the Contractor to meet certain regulatory requirements necessary to prove the Contractor’s capacity and readiness to execute the decommissioning of the field,” it added.
Below is the full statement:
Re: Impending Judgment Debt at GNPC Over Stalled Saltpond Field Decommission Project
The Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) has taken note of a Press Release dated June 27, 2022 from the Institute for Energy Policies and Research (INSTEPR), signed by its Executive Director, on the above subject. Subsequent to this, the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) newspaper also carried a frontpage story in the June 28, 2022 edition with a heading “Judgment debt, oil spillage loom over stalled Saltpond rig decommission” referencing the said press release.
GNPC will like to set the record straight on some of the inaccuracies contained in the press release from INSTEPR and the B&FT publication as follows:
Following the inspection of the equipment to be utilized in the decommissioning exercise in Nigeria, no definite date for the ‘kick-off’ meeting was set. However, dates were proposed pending the team meeting all the statutory approvals. GNPC has been working with the Contractor to meet certain regulatory requirements necessary to prove the Contractor’s capacity and readiness to execute the decommissioning of the field. It is therefore not correct for INSTEPR or B&FT to suggest that the new Chief Executive (Mr. Opoku Danquah) has postponed and subsequently cancelled the ‘meeting to start phase 2 indefinitely’. On June 27, 2022, the Chief Executive Officer of GNPC had written to the Contractor (Hans & Co) confirming July 14, 2022, as the date for the Kick-Off meeting after consultations with the Contractor and Petroleum Commission.
Whilst it is an indisputable fact that Mr. Opoku Danquah before his appointment was the DCE Technical Operations and may have been aware of the fallouts from the negotiation process, he was at no time part of, or present at, the meetings of the negotiation team.
The negotiation team was made of staff from the Technical, Procurement, Finance and Legal Departments of the Corporation, and they reported to the Chief Executive Officer.
The fact remains that GNPC continues to engage the Contractor at every stage of the project and updates Petroleum Commission, the upstream regulator. We have come a long way working with the same Contractor to satisfy all regulatory and permitting requirements which would pave the way for the commencement of the project.
GNPC has done extensive community engagement with all stakeholders and supported the Chiefs and people of the project affected communities to perform all the traditional rights required to commence the decommissioning.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Board cannot, therefore, be said to be ‘acting to frustrate the decommissioning of the Saltpond Field’.
GNPC assures INSTEPR and the public that it remains committed to the start and successful completion of the Decommissioning Project.
We will therefore expect INSTEPR to correct the wrong impression created, and for B&FT to retract the said unfortunate publication.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
India has initiated a windfall tax on the country’s oil producers and oil refiners who are exporting more due to the high international price of crude oil and refined products, Reuters said on Friday.
India’s windfall tax will be 23,250 rupees per ton on oil producers and 6 rupees per litre on gasoline and jet fuel. The windfall tax on gasoil exports will be 13 rupees per litre.
What’s more, fuel exporters will be required to sell at least some of their product domestically. The new taxes will serve as an incentive to keep more product at home and export less—a reality that will further tighten international markets for oil and oil products.
“As exports are becoming highly remunerative, it has been seen that certain refiners are drying out their pumps in the domestic market,” a government-issued statement read.
Shares in India’s Reliance Industries fell on the news as the market assesses the damage a windfall tax could inflict on the company’s bottom line.
India has been purchasing growing amounts of cheap Russian crude oil, somewhat insulating the heavy oil importer from what would have otherwise been crippling prices. India’s Russian crude oil purchases have shot up 50% since April and are five times higher than the volume that India imported from Russia during the entire year last year. Russian crude now makes up 10% of the country’s total crude oil imports. About 40% of the crude oil that the country imports makes its way to private refiners.
India’s state-run refiners are struggling to compete with India’s private refining sector, delivering most of its finished products to the local market at government-capped prices. Shares in state-run oil companies rose on the news.
Source: Oilprice.com
The Chamber of Independent Power Producers, Distributors and Bulk Consumers (CiPDIB) has congratulated the newly appointed Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Samuel Dubik Masubir Mahama.
Samuel Mahama was appointed in May 2022 to replace Kwame Agyeman-Budu after the latter had retired.
Before his appointment, Mr Samuel Mahama was a member of ECG’s Board.
In a statement issued by the CEO of the chamber, Dr Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor said: “We expect that you will build on the healthy relationship you had developed with the IPPs in your capacity as the Chairman of the Energy Trading Committee of ECG Board.
“You are helming the affairs of ECG at the time ECG’s sustainability is saddled with debts to the IPPs worth US$900 million.
“We appreciate the Cash Waterfall Mechanism (CWM) fair allocation platform but it starves us of revenue and has not lived up to the ultimate revenue allocation expectation to meet our obligations,” the statement said.
“While we look up anxiously to you to collect more revenue and make good this debt in good time, we wish you the very best and pledge, cooperation and willingness and offer suggestions for your success because your success is our success,” the statement concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Minority Group in Ghana’s Parliament is demanding that the contract to relocate the Ameri Power Plant from Aboadze in the Western Region of Ghana to Kumasi in the Ashanti Region be sent to the House for approval.
According to them, contracts with international companies must go to Parliament first, claiming that the government is trying to sidestep the law.
The Government of Ghana, last year, announced the decision to relocate the Ameri Power Plant to the Ashanti Region to help stabilise the country’s national electricity grid.
The relocation is expected to cost the Ghanaian taxpayers some US$35 million.
Commenting on the relocation of the Ameri Plant in an interview with a section of the Ghanaian media, Ranking Member on the Mines and Energy Committee of Parliament and Member of Parliament for the Yapei Kusawgu Constituency, John Jinapor, served notice to the government that Minority would continue to resist the deal.
“They confirmed that they had entered into an agreement with Mytilineous company for pre-financing. The project will cost about $35 million. And they have even forwarded the contract to the Attorney-General so they can execute the contract.”
“More importantly, this company is an international company, and by Article 181(5) of the Constitution, such international agreements must even be brought to Parliament. This Nicodemus attempt to sign this contract will not be countenanced,” he added.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Prices of fuel have shot up astronomically in the Republic of Ghana
As at 14:00 GMT Friday, 1 July,2022, TotalEnergies, one of the leading oil marketing companies took the lead to adjust its pump with petrol selling at Gh¢11.59(US$1.41) per litre while diesel went up to Gh¢14.59 (US$1.78)per litre.
During the second pricing window which ended Thursday, 30th June, 2022, TotalEnergies sold petrol at Gh¢10.99 per litre and diesel at Gh¢13.50 per litre.
The leading oil marketing company, GOIL is selling Super XP at Gh¢11.41 per litre and petrol XP is sold Gh¢13.91 per litre.
Interestingly, Shell, one of the big players in the petroleum downstream is also selling at the same pump prices GOIL is selling for both Diesel and Petrol.
Star Oil is selling petrol at Gh¢10.99 per litre while diesel is going for Gh1¢13.79 per litre.
Allied is selling petrol at Gh¢11.30 per litre and diesel is going for Gh¢13.70 per litre while Alinco is selling petrol at Gh¢11.38 and selling at Ghs13.85 per litre.
As at Tuesday morning, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was trading at US$ 110.1 while Brent traded at US$113.4 per barrel.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.comSource: https://energynewsafrica.com
The OPEC+ meeting ended in a relatively quick fashion on Thursday, agreeing to boost production by 648,000 bpd in August, according to Energy Intel’s Chief OPEC Correspondent, Amena Bakr.
The Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee meeting (JMMC), which began at 13:00 Vienna time (7:30 a.m. ET), was followed by the full OPEC+ ministerial meeting. The latter was not expected to offer any surprise, with the majority of analysts predicting that the group would rubberstamp the quota increase that it had previously set for August of 648,000 bpd.
At that increase, the quota—set two years ago—would be completely rolled back.
This would free up some of its members that have spare capacity to boost production in September if they choose, although the lack of compliance with the current quotas suggests that any ramp-up in production to meet August’s quota—and beyond—is doubtful.
While it’s clear that the production cuts will officially be completely rolled back as of August, the OPEC+ group has signaled that it intends to stick together to provide support to the market, with consistent signals coming from the group over the last couple of months that the alliance with Russia would continue. Four OPEC+ delegates told Reuters, however, that today’s meeting would not include discussions about September’s production plans. Two others said that the topic of September production could come up.
OPEC is set to hold its next meeting on August 3, which will determine September production plans, Bakr said in a tweet following the meeting.
The group’s first in-person meeting since the pandemic is scheduled for the first week of December.
Oil prices were slightly higher on Thursday minutes after the meeting, with Brent crude trading at $116.00 (-0.22%).
Source:Oilprice.com
The Managing Editor for energynewsafrica.com, Michael Creg Afful, has petitioned the Special Prosecutor of the Republic of Ghana to investigate the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) for selling 260,000 litres of slop oil to two unlicensed companies.
Sections 11(1) and (2) of the NPA Act, Act 691 stipulates that: A person shall not engage in a business or commercial activity in the downstream industry unless that person has been granted a licence for that purpose by the Board. The business or commercial activities of the downstream industry in respect of crude oil, gasoline, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, kerosene and other designated petroleum products are: (a) Importation, (b) Exportation, (c) Re-exportation, (d) Shipment, (e) Transportation, (f) Processing (g) Refining, (h) Storage, (i) Distribution, (j) Marketing, and (k) Sale.
However, TOR, for some reasons best known to them, sold 260 Metric Tonnes equivalent to 260,000 to K-Moy Ghana Limited and Petro XP Ghana Limited which are not licensed to engage in the downstream petroleum business.
Documents available to energynewsafrica.com showed that on 4th May 2022, TOR sold a total of 260 Metric Tonnes (260,000) of slop oil in their storage tank to K-Moy Ghana Limited and Petro XP Ghana Limited on a cash and carry basis. Each received 130 metric tonnes of slop oil.
However, industry experts say the product can be blended with crude and refined for maximum profit instead of selling it cheaply.
Attached Is The Petition:
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Kenya’s electricity generating company, KenGen, is installing a charging station for electric vehicles in the capital Nairobi.
The initiative contributes to the energy transition in the East African country.
The facility will power the electric batteries of at least 50,000 buses and two million motorbikes.
“E-mobility is the fastest way for Kenya to make its energy transition like many other countries. It is also a key element in reducing pollution by promoting the use of vehicles that will reduce reliance on diesel and petrol,” Rebecca Miano, KenGen’s Managing Director said.
With an installed capacity of 1,817 MW, KenGen is Kenya’s largest power producer.
The company, which is 70% owned by the Kenyan government, has just commissioned unit 6 of the 83.3 MWe Olkaria geothermal power plant in Nakuru County in the west of the country.
The plant contributes to the diversification of the East African country’s electricity mix as electric vehicle drivers look to clean and affordable energy.
In Kenya, several companies are working to develop green mobility.
This is the case of start-ups Opibus and BasiGo, which are currently positioning themselves on the electric vehicle market.
Last March, BasiGo put on the road in Nairobi electric buses assembled locally from parts obtained from the Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Build Your Dreams Automotive (BYD).
The vehicles are already in service in Eastlands in south-east Nairobi, as well as in the city centre and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com 
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com