1. Nigeria and the Republic of Niger have signed Memoranda of Understanding to construct a two-billion-dollar Hydrocarbon Pipeline and a Refinery in Nigeria.
The MoU was signed by Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum, Dr Emmanuel IbeKachikwu and the Nigerien Minister of Energy, Foumakaye Gado.
President Muhammadu Buhari and his Nigerien counterpart Mahammado uIssoufou both witnessed the signing of the MoU at the new Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
President Buhari described the cooperation on crude oil export from the Republic of Niger to Nigeria and construction of refinery in Katsina State as a “win-win” for both nations, adding that it would not only provide a reliable market for the stranded crude from Niger Republic but would also provide petroleum products for Nigeria.
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2. The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation has pledged to create at least five million jobs to reduce unemployment in the country.
Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said that the corporation had, in Nov. 2017, signed an MoU with Ondo State government to establish a 65 million-litre Biofuel plant to mitigate energy insecurities, ameliorate environmental and health issues and create at least one million direct and indirect jobs.
Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr Maikanti Baru, said that the corporation had, in Nov. 2017, signed an MoU with Ondo State government to establish a 65 million-litre Biofuel plant to mitigate energy insecurities, ameliorate environmental and health issues and create at least one million direct and indirect jobs.
Baru said that the Corporation had also signed an agreement for a Biofuel plant with Benue State government, adding that the plant is projected to generate about one million direct and indirect jobs.
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3. The Department of Petroleum Resources says the Federal Government earned N748billion from taxes and royalties paid by oil and gas companies operating in Nigeria in 2017.
DPR, in a report presented at a workshop organised for energy journalists in Lagos, said the revenue represented about 83 per cent of the agency’s target.
DPR, in a report presented at a workshop organised for energy journalists in Lagos, said the revenue represented about 83 per cent of the agency’s target.
The agency said 25 oil blocks, with a combined revenue of about 1billion dollars, were renewed within the period while approval was granted for 16 new field development plans to boost the nation’s oil and gas production.
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4. Also, the DPR has projected that an additional 3,000 megawatts can be generated from gas flare in the country.
DPR, in a report, urged government to harness the gas flare in 139 locations across the Niger Delta to boost electricity generation and fasttrack economic development.
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5. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Group, says his foundation will continue to prioritise education as a means of raising entrepreneurs that will drive growth and development in the nation’s economy.
Dangote, who made the pledge while inaugurating a N300million AlikoDangote Complex, donated to the University of Ibadan School of Business, also urged the Federal Government to provide critical infrastructure needed for businesses to thrive.
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6. The Managing Director of Rural Electricity Agency, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi, says efforts are underway to provide about 80 million Nigerians with access to reliable electricity from the private market through solar home systems.
Ogunbiyi said the agency was looking into possible provision of mini grid regulation system in areas without distribution grid and those with poorly electrified or non-functional distribution grid.
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7. Mrs Maryam Uwais, the Special Adviser to the President on Social Investment Programme, says the Federal Government has impacted about nine million Nigerians through its various social investment programmes.
Uwais said that the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office, through its programmes, including the Community Social Development Programme, N-Power programme, the home grown school feeding programme and the government enterprising programme, had already achieved 67 per cent of its set target.
Uwais said that the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office, through its programmes, including the Community Social Development Programme, N-Power programme, the home grown school feeding programme and the government enterprising programme, had already achieved 67 per cent of its set target.
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