PIB passage’ll transform oil industry – NNPC | Nairalaw

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum
Corporation, Dr Maikanti Baru, has said the passage of the four
components of the Petroleum Industry Bill, which is expected to
usher in a new legislation, will change the fortunes of the
nation’s oil and gas sector for the better.

Baru said the passage of the bill would enhance the investment
climate in the country, called on foreign investors to explore the
Nigerian ultra-deep terrain, which he described as largely
untested.

He noted that a prolific one billion barrels of crude oil find
was recently made at the Owowo field, offshore Nigeria.

He further stated that more than 41 billion barrels of crude oil
and 319 trillion cubic feet of gas were yet to be discovered in
Sub-Saharan Africa.

Baru noted that from available information, the African global
crude oil and gas outlook remained positive and on the upward
trajectory, adding that West Africa as the sub-region held the ace
in terms of offshore deep water exploration hot spots.

The NNPC boss disclosed this during a special session on Africa,
entitled, ‘Foundations for New Investment,’ at the ongoing 19th
CERAWeek Conference taking place in Houston, United States.

Baru told his audience that in Nigeria NNPC was currently
drilling Kolmani River-II Well in the Benue Trough, one of
Nigeria’s several frontier inland Basins with about 400 billion
standard cubic feet of gas expected to be encountered.

The occasion, according to a statement from the NNPC on
Thursday, also provided an opportunity for Baru to make a case for
the domestication of oil and gas technologies within the African
continent.

The NNPC GMD said, “It is my belief that domesticating these
cutting-edge technologies will develop the capacity of our people,
improve our economies and emplace our national oil and gas
companies on the path of sustainable growth and development.”

He said African countries must react positively to the new
reality by deploying policies and stabilise their business
environment to attract meaningful investments.

He informed delegates at the conference that the NNPC was
opening up its business environment to ensure transparency and
accountability in its dealing with all stakeholders.

Ministers and high level energy executives from Mali, Somalia,
Namibia and Uganda were among panelists at the special session.

Organised by IHS Markit, CERAWeek is a global platform on energy
trends and public policy where over 4,000 oil and gas experts
convene annually to debate the future of oil, natural gas,
renewable energy, power and new technologies.

Nigerian Army Commissions New Projects in
Bayelsa

The Nigerian Army has commissioned several landmark projects at
the 16 Brigade in Bayelsa State.

The projects commissioned include remodeled 16 Brigade Quarter
Guard, the Garrison Headquarters Complex,
Integrated Medical Centre, the Warrant Officers and Sergeants’ Mess
and ‘Tukur Buratai Camp’ accommodation.

Nigerian Army Projects Bayelsa

Commissioning the projects, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General
Tukur Burataion charged commanders to always impact positively on
their environment.

Represented by Commander, Training and Doctrine Command
(TRADOC), Major General AA Salihu, the COAS promised to provide
more funds for infrastructure in the Brigade and army formations
across the country.

He also called on the citizens to cooperate with the military by
providing useful information to tackle insecurity in the
country.

In his address at the occasion, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa
State, Rear Admiral Jonah Gboriagha (rtd) called on Nigerians not
to blame the army for its involvement in the 2019 general elections
saying he had investigated the Nigerian Army’s involvement in the
elections and found out that what they did was not different from
what the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai mandated
them.

While appealing to Nigerians to continue to support the Nigerian
army which he described as a stabilising factor, to discharge its
duties he recalled that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Buratai
had at different fora warned officers and soldiers of the Nigerian
Army to stick to the rules of engagement of participation in the
elections in suppory of the Nigerian Police Force.

He cited Section 217 of the 1999 constitution as amended which
empowers the army to support civil authority in addressing internal
security challenges when called upon.

Also speaking at the occasion, the GOC 6 Division Port Harcourt,
Major Gen. Jameel Sarham noted that the Brigade would assist in
addressing security challenges in Bayelsa and Niger Delta in
general.

Sarham thanked the state government for the support it provided
for the construction of the barracks.

Welcoming guest at the commissioning, Brigade Commander, 16
Brigade, Brigadier General Aligbe said what was required in the new
barracks now was perimeter fence, parade ground and officers’
quarters.

Statement by Col Sagir Musa
Acting Director, Army Public Relations.
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