Pipeline

Abuja, Nov. 28, 2023: The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, says the construction of the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project which aims to link European market is expected to begin in 2024.

Under this project, Gas is expected to be transported through the participating countries, including Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco.

Ekpo, while receiving a delegation of envoys from the Kingdom of Morocco led by its Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Ou Ali Tagma on Monday in Abuja, said Nigeria was ready and interested in the project.

The delegation visited the minister for a bilateral discussion on cooperation and commitment towards finalising the Trans-Atlantic pipeline project and also on the development of its fertiliser plant in Nigeria.

Recall that the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project has advanced with the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) in June 2023 to ensure progress and strategic direction of the 25 billion dollars Trans-Atlantic project.

MoUs were signed between the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) of Morocco and the Société Nationale des Opérations Pétrolières of Cote d’Ivoire (PETROCI) among others.

Once completed, the project will enhance the monetisation of the natural gas resources of the affected African countries and also offer a new alternative export route to Europe.

Ekpo, while expressing Nigeria’s interest and readiness said with its position of 209 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, there was need to supply gas to the continent before exporting to other continents.

“I believe by 2024 we will conclude on it. Your company has been relating with the NNPC Ltd and I have been receiving briefs. We also talked about it during the meeting of West African Gas Pipeline Committee Parties.

“For the fact that the pipeline existing within that corridor currently is 20 inches; there is a proposal to increase the size after Togo to 46 inches so that the flow will be large enough.

“Currently the world is talking about climate change and the natural gas is the sure way to go with low carbon emission so we have to be serious about utilisation of gas for prosperity.

On the fertiliser project of the country, he said with the era of natural gas and components used to boost fertiliser industries, all the value chain should be exploited.

Earlier, the Moroccan Ambassador described the project which started in 2016 as the most important in Africa aimed at exporting gas to Europe, adding that between 2016 and 2023 many meetings and MoUs signing had been held.

Tagma said the economic and technical studies being conducted on the project would be concluded early 2024, adding that the participating governments could decide to start its construction in 2024.

“The objective of this project is not to transport gas only but also to offer some opportunities for development of the countries between Nigeria and Morocco for supplying of energy,’’ he said.

The ambassador disclosed that its OCP Group,  (formerly Office Chérifien des Phosphates), the most exporter of fertiliser in the world had inaugurated plants in Kaduna, Sokoto and Ogun states, then currently opening in Akwa Ibom.

He said the construction of the 1.5 billion dollars fertiliser plant project in Akwa Ibom would commence in December, adding that it would spur investments.

Lagos, July 10, 2023:The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Ejigbo Satellite Depot, has raised alarm over incessant activities of pipelines vandalism at Idimu, Alimosho Local Council Development Area of Lagos.

IPMAN Ejigbo Satellite Depot Chairman, Mr Akin Akinrinade, said on Sunday that some vandals, who were found scooping petrol on System 2B pipeline in front of Good  Luck Estate, Idimu, absconded while the security agents tried to apprehend them.

Akinrinade said, “IPMAN Satellite Depot are constrained with heavy heart to announce the vandalisation of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) pipeline at Idimu in Alimosho LCDA, of Lagos State, in front of Good Luck Estate.

“This continuous vandalism is a setback to the effort of IPMAN and NNPCL to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol to Lagos and the entire Southwest region of Nigeria.

“It is noteworthy that a 33,000 litre truck with registration number JND 162 XA belonging to one R. A. Oluwakemi, a marketer, loading at Ibadan depot was apprehended at the scene of petrol scooping in Idimu.

“The truck was painted in blue and white colour, with registration number JND 162 XA was apprehended at the scene of the vandalism,” he added.

According to Akinrinade, IPMAN appreciated the effort of the security agencies in apprehending the culprits.

“We underscore the immediate effort of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, the Area Commander, Area “M”, Idimu.

“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Navy are also appreciated for their efforts, he said.

He, however, urged the security agencies involved in investigating the unpatriotic act to take the investigation to a logical conclusion and justice is served appropriately.

He called on Lagos State Government, whose duty it is to protect lives and properties within its jurisdiction, to be proactive in protecting the NNPCL pipelines, within the state.

The marketer said the residents also have the duty to protect  these critical government infrastructures and provide credible and timely intelligence to IPMAN and security agencies regarding the pipelines.

He added, “Together we can make Nigeria a better place for everyone.

Akinrinade said that the vandals absconded, while all their scooping equipments and the trucks were abandoned.

According to him, the items abandoned have been taking to Idimu Area “M” Command by the security agents.

“We appeal to the police to do justice and bring the culprits to justice.

“This is not the first time vandals had being arrested and truck recovered at the scene of this nefarious act are found back on the road within a short time,” he said.

The chairman, therefore, condemned activities of pipeline vandals in the area, adding that incessant pipeline vandalism was having negative effects on the country’s economic growth.

He urged security agents at the federal and state levels to live up to their duties, by ensuring that the such acts were brought to an end.

He advised that the culprits should be dealt with within the law.

“We at the Ejigbo Satellite Depot are ready to lend a helping hand to security agents in bringing pipeline vandalism to a halt.

“We have adopted a system that does not encourage vandalism. Security agents close to where pipeline network should also assist in patrolling around the axis,’’ he said.

Akinrinade advised that security agents, saddled with the responsibility of protecting the pipelines, to have relationships with IPMAN executives and the traditional rulers in those communities.

He called on the Federal Government to impose tougher penalties against petroleum pipeline vandals, saying the act affects the socio-economic growth of the nation.

He said that IPMAN also support government’s efforts to ensure that the pipelines were continuously monitored.

According to him, anyone caught, trying to sabotage oil facilities, will be handed over to the law enforcement agency to face appropriate sanctions.

He urged community along pipelines network to always ensure that suspect apprehended are handed over to the security agents.

He assured that IPMAN members would always be ready to support NNPCL, by reporting any suspicious activity around pipelines and other oil and gas facilities.

He stressed that the corporation, on its own part, should do everything possible to ensure the safety of lives and property around its facilities.

The Coalition of Arewa Civil Society Groups, has supported the award of multi-million dollar pipeline surveillance contract to Government Ekpemupolo, known as Tompolo, by the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited.

The Northern group also called for similar measures by the Federal Government on securing other critical national assets including rail lines, to complement efforts of the armed forces.

Tompolo, a former militant leader and Commander of the defunct Movement for Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND), license for pipeline surveillance was renewed by the government.

Addressing journalists on Tuesday in Kaduna, Spokesperson of the Coalition, Malam Aminu Abbas, distanced themselves from an earlier report by another Northern group who kicked against the Federal Government’s insight on awarding and renewing the contract for Tompolo.

“The condemnation call is baseless hence, we distance the good people of Northern Nigeria to such action of some group in the name of Arewa” he said.

Abbas noted that what is expected of any concern Northern Group at such time is to engage all stakeholders from within and outside the region on how best to address the lingering problem of insecurity and bringing it to a logical end.

Abbas said that at times like this which Nigeria is facing insecurity challenges, it justified the Federal Government and NNPC’s action of contracting pipeline surveillance as step in the right direction.

“It is our request and agitation for the government to protect people and property in the North and the entire country just as they have begun a move outside the usual way.

‘We feel it is high time the government and people of our region reach out to respected people like Tompolo and other brave and gallant individuals to deploy their native strength and expertise to assist our conventional security agencies on security within and outside our region.

“Considering Tompolo’s vast experience and capacity in peace and conflict resolution, there is nothing wrong if the Federal Government engage such peoples’ services to help secure other critical economic prone infrastructure facilities,” he said.

Abbas expressed confidence that government’s awarded contract to Tompolo’s company was based on his track record, dedication to the nation and his familiarity to the terrain, noting that it would help reduce oil theft and bunkering by over 85 per cent.

He stressed the need to join hands in building Nigeria by eschewing all forms of ethnic sentiments.

“The Federal Government has done the right thing by awarding the contract to Tompolo for the purpose of protecting part of our vital national wealth and infrastructure,” Abbas said.

He thanked President Buhari for taking the decision, noting that Nigeria’s National asset would be more secured by engaging the host communities to join hands with security agencies in protecting the facilities which would boost the economy.

“Nigeria as a country depends on the proceeds from the sale of crude oil and when such facilities are being destroyed on daily basis, the production and sales of oil reduces drastically.

“We as the Coalition have decided to come out in mass within seven days to thank President Buhari for taking the decision that will secure our National assets,” Abbas said.