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.
Russian oil exports fell last week, with average shipments of around 3.63 million barrels per day (bpd) between March 17 and 23, down by 26.4 percent compared to the previous week, Bloomberg reported on Monday, citing industry data it had seen.
While most Western countries—with the exception of the United States and the UK—have not imposed embargoes on Russian oil imports, many buyers in Europe and the West have tried to steer clear of Russian shipments amid concerns over future embargoes and/or sanctions, or as a “self-sanctioning” precaution amid public pressure to stop financing Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
While seaborne exports out of Russia appear to be already hit by Western buyers’ reluctance to purchase Russian oil, Russia’s oil production was basically unchanged in the week March 17 through March 23, per Bloomberg calculations based on the industry data it has seen. Russian oil production averaged 11.08 million bpd in the week to March 23, down by just 0.3 percent compared to the week prior.
Russia will have to shut in some of its oil production as it will not be able to sell all the volumes displaced from European markets to other regions, with Russian crude production falling and staying depressed for at least the next three years, Standard Chartered said earlier this month.
International oil majors have already said they would stop buying Russian oil, either immediately or via a phase-out of such purchases by the end of this year at the latest.
Meanwhile, exports of Russian crude oil to India have surged since the start of the month as sanctions bit in, forcing traders in Europe to avoid Russian cargos, the Financial Times reported in mid-March, citing data from Kpler.
The average daily rate of Indian purchases of Russin crude has stood at 360,000 bpd, which was four times the rate of daily purchases last year.
Source:Oilprice.com
The members of the National Energy Transition Committee have visited the Bui Generating Station, managed by the Bui Power Authority (BPA), to familiarise themselves with the operations of the company.
It was also to get a first-hand experience of BPA’s efforts toward achieving zero-carbon emission.
The National Energy Transition Committee was led by the Deputy Minister for Energy, William Owuraku Addo, the Deputy Minister for Transport, Frederick Adom, and the Director of Renewable Energy at BPA, Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo.
They were received by the Directors of the BPA.
A Deputy Director for Renewable Energy at BPA, Peter Acheampong, conducted the delegation around the 250MW peak solar farm being constructed in phases with a 50MW peak of the first phase connected to the grid and the 1MW floating solar.
At the hydroelectric section, the delegation was given a tour by the Deputy Director, Power Operations, Cyril Ankrah, and Manager Operating, Susan Tiwaa Badu.
The Deputy Energy Minister, William Owuraku Addo, was impressed with efforts by the Bui Power Authority towards achieving zero carbon emissions such as the solar and afforestation projects and hybridization of the Bui Dam.
He said Bui Power Authority is indeed the leader in the renewable energy sector, adding that Bui is generating eventually no carbon footprints.
The Deputy Minister further commended the Authority for employing and training young Ghanaian engineers to man the Bui Generating Station.
He commended the CEO of the Authority, Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, for working towards achieving zero carbon emissions in the activities of the company.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Over 200 residents of Tamale in the Northern Region of Ghana have been arrested for engaging in power theft and enjoying electricity freely on the blind side of Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo).
They were arrested during a three-day exercise carried out by the Loss Control Unit of NEDCo supervised by a joint military-police task force.
The exercise was carried out n Hausa Zongo, Sakasaka and Jisonayili, all suburbs of the Tamale Metropolis.
Residents of Tamale are notoriously known for engaging in power theft, popularly known as an illegal connection.
The staff of NEDCo have been threatened and attacked on several occasions.
The unfortunate development forced the power distribution company to withdraw its field services.
They, however, suspended the withdrawal of their services for two pending resolutions of three keys issues after the Executive Secretary of PURC, Dr Ishmael Ackah, and other officials of the Commission met the workers of NEDCo.
A source told energynewsafrica.com that an estimated cost of the power illegally consumed by the 200 residents is GHS462,000
According to the source, the exercise would be continued in the coming days after the money had been retrieved from the residents.Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Energy sector Managing Directors and Chief Executives Officers of state-owned institutions will from April 1, 2022, to December 2022 have their monthly salaries slashed by 30 per cent.
This is part of a raft of measures being introduced by President Akufo-Addo’s administration to address the economic challenges faced by the debt-ridden West African nation.
Ghana’s nominal debt to GDP, as of the end of November 2021 stood at 78.4 per cent.
Food prices and the cost of fuel have been going up with many low-income earners lamenting over the situation.
Amidst the economic challenges, there have been calls for the Ghana Government to go to the International Monetary Fund for a bailout, but the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo says that option would not be explored.
Addressing a press conference Thursday, Ghana’s Finance Minister Ken Ofori Atta said: “Cabinet approved that Ministers and the Heads of SOEs are to contribute 30 per cent of their salaries from April to December 2022 to the Consolidated Fund.”
This would affect the CEOs of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Ghana National Gas Company, National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Petroleum Commission, Bui Power Authority (BPA), Volta River Authority (VRA), Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), GOIL Company Limited, Volta Aluminum Company and MDs of Electricity Company of Ghana, Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST), Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), Ghana Cylinder Manufacturing Company Limited, Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), Energy Commission and Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC).
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Government of Ghana has announced that fuel coupons to all appointees will be cut by 50 per cent beginning from April 1, 2022.
Ghana’s Minister for Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, who announced this last Thursday, said the difficult economic times the country finds itself require stringent actions to alleviate the hardship on Ghanaians.
Addressing the nation on measures being taken by the government to curb the economic challenges, Ofori-Atta said the decision would also affect heads of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
“These times call for very efficient use of energy resources. In line with this, there will be a 50 per cent cut in fuel coupon allocations for all political appointees and heads of government institutions, including SOEs, effective 1 April 2022.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Government of Ghana has cushioned the citizenry by reducing the margin of taxes on fuel beginning April 1, 2022, Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta has announced.
Addressing the press at the conference room of the Ministry of Information on Thursday, Ghana’s Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta announced the reductions in BOST, Unified Petroleum Price Fund, Primary Distribution and Fuel Marking Margins.
According to him, BOST Margin will see 2 pesewas reduction, UPPF will be reduced by 9 pesewas, Fuel Marking Margin by 1 pesewas and Primary Distribution Margin by 3 pesewas.
These reductions, he said, are expected to translate to 15 pesewas reduction of margins on fuel.
He explained that these reductions are for a period of three months.
The Finance Minister added that government will in the coming days engage with Oil Marketing Companies to plead with them to reduce their margins.
Ghanaians have been lamenting on social about the rising cost of petrol and diesel.
A litre of petrol and diesel currently sells at between GHS9.99 and GHS11.70 respectively at the pump.
More details soon.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Tullow Oil plc has appointed Jonathan Swinney as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and an Executive Director of the firm.
Jonathan is currently CFO of EnQuest PLC and will join Tullow later this year, a statement issued by Tullow said.
The London-listed oil-and-gas company said Richard Miller, who is currently the Group Financial Controller, will act as interim CFO until Jonathan arrives at Tullow.
Jonathan brings extensive oil & gas and capital markets experience to Tullow having served as EnQuest’s founding CFO since 2010. In this period, EnQuest has developed its business in the UK and in Malaysia and undertaken a number of asset acquisitions and major capital markets transactions. Jonathan is a chartered accountant and a qualified solicitor.
He joined Petrofac as the head of Mergers and Acquisitions in 2008 before joining EnQuest and previous to that worked in investment banking.
Phuthuma Nhleko, Chairman of Tullow Oil plc, commented today: “I am delighted to welcome Jonathan Swinney to Tullow. Jonathan has a proven track record in the oil & gas sector of working in complex operating environments and driving capital discipline and efficiency. He has the right mix of sector and corporate finance experience that Tullow needs and I am looking forward to working with Jonathan and Rahul as we build Tullow as a leader in the African oil & gas sector. I would also like to thank Les Wood, who is stepping down from the Board at the end of this month, for all his hard work and dedication to Tullow over the past five years as CFO.”
EnQuest said separately Thursday that Mr. Swinney will step down from his role at the company at a date to be determined in due course, and that Salman Malik would assume the CFO role upon the departure of Mr. Swinney.
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
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com