Economy

Baru Outlines Over $8bn Ongoing NNPC Financing Deals

Published

5 years ago

July 3, 2019

Baru Outlines Over $8bn Ongoing NNPC Financing Deals

The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Maikanti Baru, on Tuesday, reeled out the over $8bn worth of deals currently being handled and pursued by the NNPC since the beginning of 2019, as he faces retirement in a couple of days.

Baru is due for retirement on July 7 this year, as he would have attained the mandatory civil service retirement age of 60.

The NNPC boss, who delivered the keynote address at the official opening of the 2019 Nigeria Oil and Gas conference in Abuja, stated that the oil firm was involved in financing deals and had signed Memorandum of Understanding worth several billions of dollars since 2019.

He said, “This year, we have significantly progressed new third- party financings for the NNPC/SPDC JV (Shell Petroleum Development Company Joint Venture) and NNPC/MPNU JV (Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited). Both transactions were substantially over-subscribed.

“NNPC/SPDC Santolina III Project has an estimated cost of circa $500m and NNPC/MPN Satellite Field Development II Project has an estimated cost of $1.3bn (NNPC to raise circa $700m in third-party financing).”

Baru added, “Furthermore, we have initiated third-party financing for the NNPC/NAOC (Nigeria Agip Oil Company) Okpai II Independent Power Plant project, with estimated cost of circa $658.42m and the NNPC/TEPNG (Total Exploration and Production Nigeria) Ikike development project, with estimated cost of circa $473.4m to be funded through prepayment for gas by NLNG. The price balance is to flow to the Federation Account.”

He said the corporation had successfully initiated the Memorandum of Understanding (framework agreement) between NNPC and the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas company for the provision of about $2.5bn funding for NNPC’s portion of cash call payable on upstream gas supply projects for SPDC, TEPNG and NAOC JVs.

Baru added that the NNPC had also initiated negotiations for the Financing and Technical Services Agreements for identified Nigeria Petroleum Development Company assets – OMLs 13, 65 and 111.

He said, “As you may be aware, NPDC currently contributes about eight per cent of current national daily production. Further developments from these assets and NPDC JV assets are expected to move NPDC to over 300 barrels per day equity.

“We have progressed negotiations with EPC contractors and potential Chinese lenders on the third-party financing for the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline Project of $2.89bn.”

He noted that the NNPC had also been active in the frontier basins as exploratory activities progressed from seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation to the drilling of the Kolmani River-2 well in the Benue Trough.

Baru stated that between 2015 and 2017, the corporation was involved in various project financings of over $3bn in new investment capital.

He said, “These include the $1.2bn multi-year drilling financing package from 2015 to 2018 for 23 onshore and 13 offshore wells on OMLs 49; 90 and 95 under the NNPC/Chevron JV, termed, Project Cheetah; NNPC/SPDC JV ($1bn) – Project Santolina; NNPC/CNL JV ($780m) – Project Falcon; NNPC/First E and P JV; and Schlumberger ($700m).”

The NNPC boss, however, noted that promoting investment required stability in the regulatory framework, clarity in terms of fiscal direction and reforms, access to capital and more importantly, effective and efficient deployment of both capital and human resources.

He also told participants at the conference that Nigeria held about 2.2 per cent of global oil reserves.

Baru explained that the country’s crude oil reserves had grown steadily from about 22 billion barrels in 1999 to 37.5 billion barrels in 2018.

“Nigeria is home to the second largest crude oil reserves in Africa after Libya. Our crude oil production currently hovers around 2.2-2.3 million bocpd. This was bolstered by the coming onstream of the Egina Field in December 2018 and which has currently ramped up to 200,000bopd,” he stated.

On the gas side, he said Nigeria had the 9th largest gas reserves in the world with gas reserves of 201 trillion cubic feet and upside potential of about of 600Tcf.

He added, “It is also significant to state that out of about $194bn surge in the capital expenditure coming into upcoming oil and gas developments on the African continent from 2018 to 2025, Nigeria today accounts for $48.04bn (over 24.8 per cent) with other African countries sharing the rest.”

Baru stated that to encourage the existing players in the industry, particularly the traditional JV partners, NNPC undertook to settle all outstanding cash call arrears amounting to $5bn in 2015.

“Till date, we have defrayed over $2bn. All these efforts are geared towards sustaining investment and renewing investor confidence,” he said.

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Samed Olukoya

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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Economy

World Bank VP Lauds CBN Governor Cardoso’s Inflation-Fighting Policies

Published

2 days ago

October 16, 2024

Bassey Marshall

The Senior Vice President of the World Bank, Indermit Gill, has praised the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, over his approach to managing inflation in the country.

Gill made this known during his address at the 30th Nigerian Economic Summit organized by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group in Abuja, on Monday.

The World Bank VP decried the high cost of petrol occasioned by the subsidy removal of President Tinubu’s government and the untold hardship it has imposed on Nigerians.

However, he hailed the interest rate increase by the central bank which according to him will boost confidence in the Naira and anchor inflationary expectations.

Gill emphasized that Governor Cardoso through his policies has been steering Nigeria in the right direction.

Meanwhile, Gill noted that Nigeria is just in the beginning stage of reaping the benefits of these policies.

According to him, the country will need to sustain the momentum for a period of ten to seventeen years, before achieving the desired outcome.

He revealed that countries like India, Poland, Korea, and Norway have benefitted from the approach.

He said, “Implementing such a far-reaching reform is impossible without a solid political commitment from the top. The price of PMS has quadrupled since the subsidy cut, imposing terrible hardship across the breadth of Nigeria’s society.

“The Central Bank has had to hike its policy by a huge 850 basis point, almost 9 percentage points in the last month to boost confidence in the naira and anchor inflationary expectations.

“The Central Bank financing of fiscal deficit has finally ended, and Governor Cardoso has been putting Nigeria or helping to put Nigeria on the right course.”

“But this is only the beginning, Nigeria will need to stay the course for at least 10 to 17 years to transform its economy. If it does that, it will transform its economy.

“And it will become an engine of growth in Sub-Saharan Africa. And he will help to transform Sub-Saharan Africa. It’s very difficult to do these things, but the rewards are massive.

“This is the lesson from the last forty years as well as the experience of countries such as India, Poland, Korea and Norway,” Gill said.

Investors King reported that on September 24, 2024, the apex bank announced another increase in its Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 27.25% from 26.75 percent.

The decision was made during the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting chaired by CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso.

Economy

Sanwo-Olu Unveils Lagos Red Line Rail For Commercial Operations

Published

2 days ago

October 16, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has officially unveiled the LMRT Red Line for commercial operations.

The governor said the Red Line is the second rail system to become operational in less than two years in the state.

The 27-kilometre Red Line has eight stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado.

The train service is projected to transport about 500,000 Lagosians daily as the schedule is increased, providing a viable means of commuting.

In a post on his verified social media handles on Tuesday, Sanwo-Olu warned against vandalisation of the project, saying his government wouldn’t tolerate the destruction of public property.

Sanwo-Olu wrote, “Dear Lagosians, today marks the launch of commercial operations of the LMRT Red Line, commencing passenger services from Agbado to Oyingbo.

“We’re on a mission to keep Lagos moving, and the Red Line is a key part of our vision to create a seamlessly connected city. It is also our second rail system to become operational in less than two years.

“Spanning 27, the Red Line has eight stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado. The train service is projected to transport about 500,000 Lagosians daily as we ramp up the schedule and provide a viable means of commuting.”

He added that daily passenger services will depart from Agbado at 6:00 AM, with the second train leaving Iju Station at 7:30 AM.

“Ensure you have your Cowry Card ready to board,” he noted.

He urged residents to treat the project with the respect it deserves, stressing that “vandalism or disruptions will not be tolerated.”

He said, “Together, we can ensure that our trains remain a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.”

Economy

Nationwide Blackout as National Grid Partially Collapses, Akwa Ibom Power Supply Remains Unaffected

Published

2 days ago

October 15, 2024

Yetunde Olugbenga

A partial collapse of the national grid has been reported by electricity distribution companies, resulting in a blackout in most parts of the country.

However, the Akwa Ibom Generating Station was “islanded,” allowing it to continue supplying electricity to neighboring cities.

The spokesperson for the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this during a chat on Monday evening.

Mbah explained that the Akwa Ibom Generating Station was “islanded” to enable continuous power supply through the Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu 132-kilovolt substations.

“The entire system did not collapse, as the IBOM Generating Station was islanded (i.e., separated to stand alone and continue supplying some areas to avoid a total system failure), allowing it to supply electricity through the Eket, Ekim, Uyo, and Itu 132kV substations,” she said.

Mbah further disclosed that the collapsed national grid was partial as TCN has begun system recovery to restore normalcy in the affected area.

“Recovery is currently ongoing and has advanced significantly.” She said.

Mbah’s disclosure about the Akwa Ibom generating station being “islanded” came shortly after Emeka Ezeh, Head of Corporate Communications at the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), confirmed the national grid’s collapse around 6:48 p.m. on Monday.

“…of a general system collapse that occurred at 18:48 hours today, 14th October 2024.” He stated.

Speaking about how to restore power, a statement signed by Ezeh revealed that the EEDC is on standby to restore supply from Osogbo.

“We are on standby awaiting detailed information of the collapse and restoration of supply from the National Control Centre (NCC), Osogbo,” the statement read.

“Rest assured, we are working with the relevant stakeholders to restore power as soon as the grid is stabilised. Thank you for your understanding”, the statement indicated.

The Abuja Disco also reported the grid collapse at 6:58 p.m.

“Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that the power outage being experienced is due to a system failure from the national grid at 6:58 pm today, affecting the power supply to our franchise areas”, the Abuja Disco declared.

It was reported that the collapsed electricity grid has vehemently thrown the nation into a blackout. Moreover, at the time of this report, power supply is yet to be restored across parts of the country.