Two Nigerians lost their lives while several others got injured following a fuel tanker accident at the International Building Materials Market, Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State last Sunday night.
Report says about 14 buses and other properties worth millions of naira were also burnt in the fire incident.
According to report filed by Vanguard, the incident happened when an articulated lorry rammed into a stationary tanker laden with fuel and both caught fire.
“Several luxury buses parked around the area immediately went up in flames. Shops and buildings within the vicinity also caught fire and so much damage had been done before the arrival of the men of the state fire service,” an eye witness said as carried by Vanguard.
The State Chief Fire Officer, Mr Martin Agbili confirmed that two people lost their lives, while 14 buses and other properties, including houses, were burnt.
He said the fire could have escalated to other parts of the heavily built-up area if not for the prompt arrival of firemen and assistance from other fire stations, including the one inside the market.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has signed into law an oil overhaul bill that has been in the works for nearly two decades.
According to a presidential spokesman, the Nigerian leader sign the bill on Monday.
The package overhauls nearly every aspect of the country’s oil and gas production. The legislature cleared it for his signature last month.
The bill has been in the works since the early 2000s, but the sensitivity of potential changes affecting Nigeria’s key source of revenue and foreign exchange has undermined all previous attempts at an overhaul.
Major fuel marketers and other observers had been alarmed by a provision that they said could give Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, an effective monopoly on fuel sales in Nigeria while the communities where oil and gas is produced had pressed for a larger share of oil money.
Analysts say the bill’s approval this year was essential to attracting a shrinking pool of capital for fossil fuel development.
Amendments to the package allowed a series of concessions for oil companies to lure investment.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s national oil company (GNPC) is accusing the Auditor-General of lacking understanding about the legal framework governing the affairs of the corporation.
The corporation believes it is about time the Auditor-General and his staff cultivated extreme diligence in their duties to avoid embarrassing themselves and the state entities they audit.
The Auditor-General, in its 2020 Report captured in paragraphs 683 to 691 a finding that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) entered into five significant international business contracts totalling US$34,165,235.15 and £464,963.13 without parliamentary approval, contrary to the provisions of Article 181 of the 1992 Constitution.
But, the corporation, in a statement issued by the CEO, discounted the Auditor-General’s claims.
“This finding is entirely wrong as it has no factual or legal basis,” he said.
According to the corporation, “The Auditor-General made these flawed findings because his officers failed to apprise themselves accurately with the legal framework governing GNPC’s affairs.”
Giving a legal explanation to the issue, GNPC quoted Article 181(5) of the 1992 Constitution pertaining to Parliamentary approvals to mean that international business transactions strictly relates to “Government” business and not generally to statutory corporations set up for commercial purposes.
The statement noted that the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Act (PNDCL 64) establishes GNPC as a distinct legal entity and, as such, it is not legally considered to be part of Government.
“The meaning of “Government” under Article 181(5) was settled in the case of Klomega (No.2) versus 1. The Attorney-General 2. Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority & 2 Others [2013-2014] SCGLR 581. In that case, the Supreme Court of Ghana stated as follows:
“In our view, “Government” in the context of Article 181(5) should mean, ordinarily, the central government and not operationally autonomous agencies of government. Where an agency has a separate legal personality distinct from central government, it usually comes under sectoral ministerial supervision.
“The Board of the corporation and the appropriate Ministry should then exercise oversight over its international business or economic agreements. That oversight should be exercised within the context of the procurement laws of this country.”
The Supreme Court, thus, interpreted Article 181(5) of the 1992 Constitution as meaning that generally, the contracts of statutory corporations were not within the ambit of the provisions.
However, in exceptional circumstances, the contracts of Ghanaian statutory corporations could be brought within the ambit of Article 181(5) through the alter ego doctrine. (See, p. 17)
In 2016, the principles enunciated in the Klomega decision were affirmed by the Supreme Court in the case of Dr Mark Assibey Yeboah versus 1. The Attorney General 2. The Electricity Company of Ghana 3. Ghana National Petroleum Corporation [2016] DLSC3187.
“It is important to point out that the said paragraphs 683-691 do not suggest that GNPC acted as the alter ego of Government. Indeed, the description of the contracts captured in the Table in paragraph 686 of the Auditor-General’s report shows that these contracts involve GNPC’s commercial activities and could not have been entered into as alter ego for Central Government.
“The requirement to seek parliamentary approval for the five transactions referred to in the report does not apply to GNPC and we request that the Auditor-General corrects his findings and conclusions as soon as possible. We urge the Auditor-General and his staff to cultivate extreme diligence in their duties to avoid embarrassing themselves and the state entities they audit,” the statement concluded.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Energy & Associates, an energy think-tank in the Republic of Ghana, has raised questions with the proposal by the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) to acquire a 70 percent stake in the South Deep Water Tano (SDWT) oil block and a 30 percent stake in Deep Water Tano/Cape Three Points (DWT/CTP) oil block operated by Aker Energy Ghana Limited.
Ghana’s national oil company, GNPC, is seeking parliamentary approval for a loan not exceeding $1.65 billion to enable the company buy stakes in the two oil blocks.
However, a statement issued by the energy think-tank described the move as shocking.
“As to what valuation this amount is based on is yet to be known,” it said.
“Our sources at the Petroleum Commission explains that valuations in the books of the Petroleum Commission is a little over $400 million, however, we are told Aker’s valuation is some $800 million.”
It also described as “quite worrying” the government’s decision to go ahead with the proposal when the valuation report that precipitated the decision to acquire this stake is not ready.
It noted how about $1 billion allocated GNPC over the past 10 years as the total amount in its exploration in Explorco is yet to ‘yield any prospects’.
“Increasing GNPC’s reserves and producing through GNPC Explorco by principle is laudable, however, this proposed deal with Aker is questionable and must be looked at for public interest purposes.”
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Reuters reports that oilfield services provider Schlumberger has withdrawn its staff from the Offshore Technology Conference, which commenced today, Monday 16, and is expected to end on August 19.
The annual conference attracts up to 60,000 attendees from around the world.
The decision was made as Houston reports near-record Covid-19 infection rates and hospitalizations.
In a statement reported by Reuters, Schlumberger spokesperson Moira Duff said “As the Houston hospitalization rates increase rapidly, Schlumberger has taken the decision to withdraw from the Offshore Technology Conference.”
An OTC spokesperson did not have an immediate response to Schlumberger’s withdrawal, according to Reuters.
A number of other companies who traditionally participate in the Offshore Technology Conference are not exhibiting at this year’s event, traditionally held in the first week of May.
Ghana’s petroleum downstream regulator, National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has given reasons for the variations in fuel prices at the pump of the various Oil Marketing Companies retail outlets across the West African nation.
Ghana’s petroleum downstream was deregulated on 1st July, 2015.
Prior to the implementation of this policy, the regulator, NPA, set and published the Ex-Refinery and Ex-Pump prices of all petroleum products.
With the introduction of the deregulation policy, prices of fuel are now determined by market forces.
However, this seems not to be understood by consumers who keep wondering why there is no uniformity in fuel prices.
There are some consumers and industry players who hold the view that those OMCs, which are selling fuel at lower prices, were engaging in illegalities.
Currently, GOIL,Total and Shell, which are the market leaders, sell fuel at GHS6.23 per litre, with other OMCs selling between GHS5.70 and GHS5.90 per litre.
In a presentation by Abass Ibrahim Tasunti, Head of Pricing at NPA, during a media engagement on Pricing Of Petroleum Products in Ghana last week, he enumerated a number of key components which make up the price build up of petroleum products.
He mentioned Special Petroleum Tax, Energy Debt Recovery Levy, Road Fund Levy, Energy Fund Levy, Price Stabilisation & Recovery Levy, Energy Sector Recovery Levy and Sanitation & Pollution Levy as the components.
He further mentioned Primary Distribution Margin, Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), BOST Margin, Fuel Marking Margin, Distribution Compensation Margin, Marketers Margin, Dealers/Retailers Margin and LPG filling Plant/ Premix/ MGO-Local Administrative Margin as other components that make up the price build-up of petroleum products.
Mr Tasunti said though NPA does not rule out any illegalities in downstream petroleum sector, their monitoring of the transaction between Bulk Import Distribution and Export Companies (BIDECs) formerly BDCs and OMCs, shows that the former sell their products to the OMCs at different prices based on a number of factors.
That, he explained, is the reason why some of the smaller OMCs could be selling their fuel at prices lower than that of GOIL, Total, Shell and other leading OMCs.
“For example, you and I can go to the same BDC and buy at different prices based on several factors. The volume of product you are buying, your payment track record, your credit terms, etc could be factors that determine the price.
“There are instances we have seen variations of up to 50 pesewas between an OMC prices from BDCs. In a free market as we have now, if you’re a smaller brand and you want to compete with a bigger brand, you will have to come up with strategies to attract customers by making the product cheaper to be able to sell,” he pointed out.
He added that the Price Build-Up formula is such that the only component that the OMCs have control over is the price at which they buy from the BDCs and the OMC Margin.
Under this circumstance, Mr. Tasunti said some of the OMCs reduce their margins in order to increase their sale volumes.
He said NPA monitors the situation to ensure that no OMC sells fuel at unrealistically low prices.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s southern electricity distribution company, ECG, has cut power supply to 16 companies in Tema for failing to settle their indebtedness.
The companies owed ECG to the tune of GHS 27,857,498.59 as at June 2019.
This is contained in the 2020 Auditor General’s Report.
The companies are Eastern Quarry, 605,827.26, Nelplast Ghana Limited, Bigleb Company, Special Steel Ltd, Wahome Steel Ltd, Western Steel/Forgings,Movell Comp. Ltd, Sekyere Kwaku Badu, Yeeco Plastie and J D Preservation.
The rest are International Pack Ghana, Ds Plastic Ltd, Inter Pack, Bio-Plastic Co Ltd ,Heavens Ice Company Ltd and Zin Jin Industry
The companies fall in the category of Special Load Tariff (SLT).
“We noted during our audit that 16 Special Load Tariff (SLT) Companies in the region had not paid their debts amounting to GH¢27,857,498.59.
“Our further review indicated that Management had disconnected the meters of these Companies,” portion of the report said.
According to the Report, the Revenue Management Unit of Tema Region ECG explained that the names of the Companies have been submitted to Head Office Legal department to pursue for the recovery.
The Auditor-General warned that ECG could face financial challenges as a result of the nonpayment of debt by customers.
The Auditor-General recommended to management to expedite action on legal proceedings to recover the debt.
“Management is urged to ensure that companies do not reconnect the meters secretly,” the Auditor-General advised.
ECG said the accounts of the companies are monitored on monthly basis to prevent illegal reconnection.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Ghana’s Minister for Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh will, today, cut the ribbon to launch the West African nation’s Delegation Pavilion at the Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) 2021 in Houston, Texas, USA.
The OTC, an annual event which gathers over 3,000 oil and gas industry players, starts today and runs until Thursday, August 19, 2021.
The global event provides energy professionals with the opportunity to meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.
Dr Prempeh will be joined by one of his deputies, Mr Agyapa Mercer, senior officials from the Ministry, Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S, CEOs of some sector agencies, as well as leading executives from operators in Ghana’s oil and gas industry.
A Nigerian Magistrate Court has sentenced a staff of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Mr James Olayemi, to six months’ imprisonment for unlawful disconnection of electricity supply to the premises of the company’s customer.
According to a report filed by a local portal, Vanguard, the Chief Magistrate of the court, Dr Tanko Muhammed, in his judgment, also ordered immediate reconnection of electricity supply to the premises Dennis Osanwuta, the customer of AEDC.
The judge said that Olayemi, the first defendant in the suit, was convicted and sentenced accordingly for running contrary to various sections of the extant laws on electricity services.
He, however, absolved the AEDC Regional Manager, Lameed Obadaki, the second defendant, of any complicity on the two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and unlawful disconnection.
The judge, consequently, discharged and acquitted Obadaki, saying that from the evidence before him, there was no link between him and the criminal activities of the first defendant.
He said that Olayemi’s offence was punishable under Section 94 of Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act, 2005.
According to the Chief Magistrate, Section 5 provides that electricity consumers must be given maximum of 10 days for payment of electricity bills.
“The EPSR also provides for a three-month written notice disconnection to a customer before AEDC can effect an impending disconnection.
“In view of evidence before me, the complainant has not been given such opportunity; therefore, the first defendant is guilty as charged.
“I hereby sentence you to six months’ imprisonment, with an option of fine of N50,000,” he said.
Osanwuta, a management staff of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Lokoja, had instituted the suit against both Olayemi and Obadaki.
“AEDC brought a bill of N275,000 to me for the month of February 2020 which I paid. Also in the month of March, the same company brought a bill of N130,000 which I paid, even though the bills were in contention.
“I was not owing AEDC a kobo when the duo of James Olayemi and Lameed Obadaki, without prior notice, went ahead to disconnect my light and all entreaties to restore supply failed,” he said.
Counsel to Osanwuta, Emeje Aruwa, had urged the court to take cognisance of Regulation 10(8) of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, B Connection and Disconnection Procedures of Electricity Services, 2007.
However, Counsel to the defendants, C.P. Ocheja, urged the court to strike out the case over the presumed inability of the prosecution to establish a prima facie case against the defendants and link them with the charges.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
South Africa has gazetted the Amended Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) 4 of 2006, which will do away with licensing needs for embedded electricity generation of up to 100 megawatts.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy gazetted the amended act on Thursday.
Under the newly gazetted Amended Schedule 2 of the ERA, applicants for 1 – 100MW embedded electricity generation projects will now be exempt from the obligation to apply for a licence but, will be required to register with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA.)
The amendment follows President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on 10 June 2021 that the Schedule 2 Amendment of the ERA would be published within 60 days.
Previously, the maximum allowed embedded power generation threshold was at one megawatt.
According to the department, the increase in the threshold is a positive move and an intervention, which will reform the energy sector.
The intervention to reform the electricity regulation regime has been hailed as a positive way forward by the energy sector and industry across the board.
“It is envisaged that this step will unlock significant investment in new generation capacity in the short-to-medium term, and make significant inroads towards achieving national energy security, as well as reduce the impact of load shedding across the country,” the department said in a statement.
It is expected that the amended act will also allow power generators to send their surplus energy onto the national
grid, subject to grid connection agreements with Eskom and local municipalities, in order to ensure compliance of regulations.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The Chief Executive Officer of Bui Power Authority, Mr. Fred Oware, has called on the staff of the Authority to live together as one and demonstrate love to one another in order to create congenial environment for the growth of the company.
Mr. Oware gave the advice in an exclusive interview with energynewsafrica.com as his term of office ended on May 31st, 2021.
He has been replaced with Hon. Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, a former Minister for Chieftaincy.
Bui Power Authority is the state’s second largest power generation company in the Republic of Ghana.
Click on the link below to listen to the interview:
The Winners of the 2020 Energy Personality of the Year awards have encouraged students of the Nungua Senior High School in Accra to have a clear vision for their future, be focused and ensure that whatever they set out to do would have a positive impact on society.
Interacting with over 500 students during the Energy Personalities Outreach Programme (EPOP) held in the school’s premises, Mrs. Mami Dufie Ofori, Executive Secretary of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) and the Female Energy Personality of the Year urged the students to wholly immerse themselves in whatever they do and display a high level of commitment.
“One thing all of you should have is that whatever you do, you should ensure it has a positive impact on yourself, family, the country and the world at large,” and added that in the beginning, she knew whatever she was going to do should have a change, and that change should be of positive value wherever she went.
On his part, Mr Fred Oware, the Chief Executive of the Bui Power Authority (BPA) and the Energy Personality of the Year (Male category) told the students that it is possible for any of them to become whatever they want to be in life, and that there is nothing wrong in being ambitious so long as it doesn’t hurt anybody.
“You need to believe in yourself, have an ambition” and remember that in life’s circumstances, “if you are diligent, hardworking and want to be noticed for good reasons, you will succeed.”
He also reiterated the need for them to adopt the attitude of using their resources to solve other people’s problems, which is a natural principle to success.
Mami Dufie Ofori, Executive Secretary of Public Utilities Regulatory Commission
Both personalities stressed the need for them to have the right mental attitude, be real to themselves on what they can do, imbibe honesty and sincerity coupled with hard work. But most of all, they should stick to their dreams and live life well.
Mr Fred Oware, former CEO of Bui Power AuthorityEnergy Personalities Outreach Programme
This outreach is a special feature of the Energy Awards scheme, organised for the winners of the coveted Energy Personality of the Year awards. The objective of the programme is for the personalities to share their rare experiences with the youth of the country, especially at the second cycle level to encourage them to reach their life goals and ambitions, which will help them to meaningfully contribute to the country in future.
Ing. Henry Teinor, Director of the awards said the programme is also to inspire the younger generation to aspire to become the best they can be, and especially develop an interest in the country’s energy sector, which is a key contributor to the growth of the economy.
Profiles
Fred Oware is the Chief Executive of the BPA with 40 years of service in several sectors of the economy: banking and finance, project management, broadcasting, hospitality, supply chain management and Renewable Energy management. From 1985 to 1995, he was one of the key persons to revolutionize the financial markets and served pioneering roles in leadership capacities at several institutions including the Ghana Stock Exchange, the leasing market, discount houses/money markets and the promotion of the non-bank financial industry. Due to his varied experiences and his involvement in the establishment of the Bui Dam, he was appointed as the first CEO of the Bui Power Authority until 2009. He was reappointed in 2017, an opportunity which he accepted with the purpose to utilize BPA’s resources to generate additional energy in Renewable Energy, especially solar.
Mami Dufie’s role as Executive Secretary of the PURC is one that is pivotal to core sectors of the economy, prominently energy and water. In her current capacity, she has caused operational efficiency in the Commission and has been responsible for record improvements and results-yielding projects at the PURC. Under her direction, there has been an expansion of pro-poor water projects. She facilitated the building of the new PURC Head Office, and enhanced the Commission’s operations by putting structures in place to boost compliance. One remarkable feat has been the setting up of a Formal Hearing department where a constituted panel holds Utilities accountable, hence pushing entities to adhere to set standards.
A section of the students of Nungua SHS at the outreah programmeGhana Energy Awards
The Ghana Energy Awards Scheme is an industry-owned initiative being executed in partnership with the various government regulating agencies within the sector, and seeks to recognise and appreciate the exemplary efforts of stakeholders in Ghana’s energy sector. It is organised by the Energy Media Group and CH-Business Consulting Ghana.
Ghana’s President, Nana Akufo-Addo has appointed Ing Ebenezer Essienyi as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the country’s power transmission company, GRIDCo.
Ing Essienyi’s appointment has been confirmed by the newly constituted Board of GRIDCo at its meeting on Thursday, August 12, 2021.
Ing Essienyi takes over from Ing Jonathan Amoako-Baah, whose successful tenure as Chief Executive ended last month.
Prior to his appointment, Ing Essienyi was the Director of Technical Services of GRIDCo.
He has over 24 years’ experience in the public sector in diverse areas such as Engineering, Planning, Design and Project Management.
He joined the Ghana Grid Company in 2008 from the Volta River Authority (VRA), where he worked for twelve years.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA).
He is a member of the Ghana Institution of Engineers (GhIE) and a product of Mfantsipim School.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
A former Minister for Chieftaincy in the first term of President Akufo-Addo’s administration has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s second largest power generation company, Bui Power Authority (BPA).
Mr Samuel Kofi Dzamesi holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and a Diploma in Marketing.
In 2001, he was appointed Deputy Volta Regional Minister by President John Agyekum Kufuor and appointed as the substantive Regional Minister for the Volta Region.
In a statement issued by the Bui Power Authority, the outgoing CEO, Mr Oware described his successor as a man of integrity, a reliable person, a team player, and someone who sticks to his word.
He also described him as highly creative and innovative, urging management and staff of BPA to offer Mr Dzamesi the same support, enthusiasm and courtesies that he had received over the past four and half years.
Addressing management and staff of the authority, Mr Dzamesi thanked the outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Mr Fred Oware.
He said, “I am confident that the support given to my predecessor would be extended to me as Chief Executive Officer, to execute the vision of the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to make BPA, the leader in Renewable Energy in the country.”
It would be recalled that in 2020, the BPA Act was amended (Bui Power Authority Amendment Act, 2020 (Act 1046)), giving BPA additional mandate to implement renewable and other clean energy options on behalf of the state.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
According to the Report, the Revenue Management Unit of Tema Region ECG explained that the names of the Companies have been submitted to Head Office Legal department to pursue for the recovery.
The Auditor-General warned that ECG could face financial challenges as a result of the nonpayment of debt by customers.
The Auditor-General recommended to management to expedite action on legal proceedings to recover the debt.
“Management is urged to ensure that companies do not reconnect the meters secretly,” the Auditor-General advised.
ECG said the accounts of the companies are monitored on monthly basis to prevent illegal reconnection.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
The global event provides energy professionals with the opportunity to meet to exchange ideas and opinions to advance scientific and technical knowledge for offshore resources and environmental matters.
Dr Prempeh will be joined by one of his deputies, Mr Agyapa Mercer, senior officials from the Ministry, Ghana’s Ambassador to the U.S, CEOs of some sector agencies, as well as leading executives from operators in Ghana’s oil and gas industry. 
Ing. Henry Teinor, Director of the awards said the programme is also to inspire the younger generation to aspire to become the best they can be, and especially develop an interest in the country’s energy sector, which is a key contributor to the growth of the economy.
Profiles
Fred Oware is the Chief Executive of the BPA with 40 years of service in several sectors of the economy: banking and finance, project management, broadcasting, hospitality, supply chain management and Renewable Energy management. From 1985 to 1995, he was one of the key persons to revolutionize the financial markets and served pioneering roles in leadership capacities at several institutions including the Ghana Stock Exchange, the leasing market, discount houses/money markets and the promotion of the non-bank financial industry. Due to his varied experiences and his involvement in the establishment of the Bui Dam, he was appointed as the first CEO of the Bui Power Authority until 2009. He was reappointed in 2017, an opportunity which he accepted with the purpose to utilize BPA’s resources to generate additional energy in Renewable Energy, especially solar.
Mami Dufie’s role as Executive Secretary of the PURC is one that is pivotal to core sectors of the economy, prominently energy and water. In her current capacity, she has caused operational efficiency in the Commission and has been responsible for record improvements and results-yielding projects at the PURC. Under her direction, there has been an expansion of pro-poor water projects. She facilitated the building of the new PURC Head Office, and enhanced the Commission’s operations by putting structures in place to boost compliance. One remarkable feat has been the setting up of a Formal Hearing department where a constituted panel holds Utilities accountable, hence pushing entities to adhere to set standards.
