NNPC, ECOWAS Energy Ministers, Discuss Africa’s Energy Future

● But who spread the rumour of Fubara’s closure of NNPC operations in Rivers?

By PHC Telegraph

 

The NNPC says it is poised to play a pioneering role in the development of Africa’s future energy needs.

The organisation which participated at a joint meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Energy held Friday in Asokoro, Abuja, said in an official statement on its X handle that it would “leverage its expertise in gas infrastructure” to lead the project.

According to the statement, “NNPC Ltd. participated in the Joint Meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Energy and Hydrocarbons, extended to Morocco and Mauritania, held today at the ECOWAS Commission in Asokoro, Abuja.”

NNPC’s emerging role in Africa as an energy giant in the gas sector is coming against the backdrop of unsubstantiated claims on the social media that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has closed down NNPC operations in Rivers State.

Although the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joe Johnson has dismissed the report, there has been no official reaction from the NNPC.

The Port Harcourt Telegraph went through the NNPC’s official X handle Friday night and found no reference to the disturbing report which has raised eyebrows, given what is perceived as the volatile nature of Rivers politics and the strategic place of the State in the hydrocarbon sector.

But who spread the rumour of Fubara’s closure of NNPC operations in Rivers?

No one is sure.

However, there have been surreptitious moves to cause the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.

The report on the social media timed for release shortly after a Federal Court delivered a verdict halting the release of funds to the oil-rich State may be a pointer to behind the scene efforts by unknown persons to stir problems.

The burning of local government offices after results were released may have been intended to lead to confrontations on the street; confrontations that street protests could not activate.

Nonetheless, the Rivers State Government’s reaction has alluded to what it views as carefully crafted “propaganda” designed to demarket the nation’s treasure base.

A statement credited to the Commissioner for Information and Communications said, “The attention of Rivers State Government has been drawn to a spurious news item circulating on social media on “Gov. Siminalayi Fubara shutting down NNPCL and all oil companies in Rivers State”.

“The report was not only false, but a concocted propaganda from the imagination of the author and enemies of the State.

“Governor Siminalayi Fubara is committed to the rule of law and does not rely on unconventional and crude approaches to respond to matters of governance.

“We therefore enjoin Rivers people and well-meaning Nigerians to discountenance the spurious and fake report as Governor Fubara at no time contemplated and/or directed such needless order of shutting down the economy for any reason.”

It may not be part of the policy of NNPC’s public affairs department to respond to privolous publications, a source said in Port Harcourt.

“It is apparent”, the source remarked, “that the NNPC which has departments, including public affairs that keep an eye on its operations has not received any such report from officials who are on ground in Rivers State.”

For now, the NNPC which was represented at the energy meeting convened in Abuja on Friday has its eyes set on the unfolding energy market in Africa.

Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas) spoke of the potentials of the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP) project while addressing Ministers of Energy who were in attendance.

“The Honourable Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo,” the NNPC disclised, “highlighted the AAGP’s potential to unify Africa’s energy infrastructure, creating opportunities for economic growth across the region.

“The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, Mele Kyari, represented by Mr. Olalekan Ogunleye, Executive Vice President, Gas, Power, and New Energy, reiterated NNPC Limited’s commitment to advancing the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline (AAGP).”

The Port Harcourt Telegraph understands  that critical agreements, including the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) and Host Government Agreement (HGA) for the AAGP, were discussed.

The NNPC noted that the outcome of the meeting reflects “the shared vision of a resilient and interconnected energy future for Africa.”

It added, “NNPC Limited is poised to leverage its expertise in gas infrastructure to lead this project alongside valued partners, delivering robust support for regional development.”