Page 7 - AfrElec Week 26 2021
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AfrElec COMMENTARY AfrElec
physically.”
Auwalu said at the time that the government continued to make travel a difficult proposition.
had pushed the end date in the bidding round But there may be other issues in play – such
back by six weeks and would take the next step at as, for example, the fact that the government has
the appropriate time. So far, though, no further still not succeeded in securing the passage of the
progress has been made. Just a few weeks ago, Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), which is designed
Auwalu acknowledged that Abuja had not gone to establish a new legal and regulatory regime for
beyond shortlisting the 200 companies. He did the domestic oil and gas industry. The PIB may
not reveal the factors underlying the additional turn out to be a crucial element in the success
delays. of NGFCP and other gas-related initiatives, as it
Presumably, the pandemic is one of the main provides for the creation of a new state agency to
reasons DPR has not yet been able to move for- oversee commercial, operational and technical
ward. The world economy at large and the energy operations in the downstream and midstream
industry in particular are still recovering from gas sector. If so, the first bidding round for com-
the ravages of 2020, and the emergence of new mercialisation of associated gas may not be con-
variants of COVID-19 around the world has cluded until the legislation is approved.
REGIONAL LINKS
Regional talks expected to
expand collaboration
NORTH AFRICA DISCUSSIONS between neighbours in the Mid- Meanwhile, a statement from Kadhimi’s
dle East are likely to lead to improved intercon- office said: “This visit is an important message to
nectivity in oil, gas and electricity. our people that we are mutually supportive and
A meeting was held in Baghdad between unified to serve our people and the people of the
Egypt, Jordan and Iraq that comes under a region.”
framework tripartite co-operation mechanism Following the event, Iraqi Foreign Minister
that was launched during their first meeting in Fuad Hussein told a press conference that the
Cairo two years ago. Meanwhile, Jordan’s Energy topics discussed had included economic and
Minister met with her Syrian counterpart in political co-operation, large-scale industrial
Amman to discuss infrastructure progress. projects, and trade in medicine and agricultural
pesticides.
Three-way collaboration Following the meetings in Amman, Egyptian
Following the meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker that the
Mustafa al-Kadhimi and Jordan’s King Abdullah three countries had proposed a 1,000-MW pro-
II, the office of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah ject “to support the exchange of electrical power
el-Sisi said that the leaders had discussed several and take advantage of the different peak times”.
areas of common interest, including combating Meanwhile, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum Tarek
terrorism and economic co-operation. el Mulla said that his country was keen to estab-
It added that “the leaders stressed the need lish a pipeline to transport Iraqi crude oil to
to intensify consultation and co-ordination Egypt and Jordan.
between the three countries on the most impor- With details scarce, it can only be assumed
tant regional issues”. that the pipeline in discussion would be an
Week 26 01•July•2021 www. NEWSBASE .com P7
