Page 15 - DMEA Week 35 2022

DMEA NEWS IN BRIEF DMEA

business new africa bna/IntelliNews

Libya was plunged into chaos after the Arab Moammar Qaddafi, splitting between rival provisions of the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry
Spring in 2011, which saw the ousting of for- governments – one in the east, backed by mil- Content Development (NOGICD) Act. He said
mer dictator, Moammar Qaddafi. His removal itary commander Khalifa Haftar, and another, the reason is because “NLNG has a vision not
led to a split between rival governments: one in UN-supported administration in the capital just to be a globally competitive NLNG business,
the east, backed by military commander Khalifa Tripoli in the west. but to help build a better Nigeria. To do that we
Haftar, and another in the west, the UN-sup- The North African country is currently in have to work closely with the NCDMB and raise
ported administration in the capital, Tripoli. a state of uncertainty over the fate of the polit- our partnership to a new level, and that includes
bna/IntelliNews, August 30 2022 ical process in the light of its failure to con- human development, research, and other areas.”
duct presidential and parliamentary elections Speaking on the ongoing Train 7 LNG pro-
Death toll from Tripoli on December 24, 2021, as had been planned ject, Mshelbila recalled how NCDMB supported
earlier. Tensions continued over issues that the Nigeria LNG in various ways to enable the
clashes rises to 32, included divisive candidates and a disputed legal takeoff of the project. He said: “the Final Invest-
framework.
ment Decision (FID) was taken successfully
UN calls for immediate that affected oil exports and internal stability now under construction, making good and safe
Libya has suffered from persistent struggles with the help of NCDMB and the project is
ceasefire mainly due to political disputes. progress. We are looking at potentially 5,000
In July, violent clashes between armed groups to 10,000 persons being employed on different
At least 32 people were killed and dozens more in Tripoli left at least 16 people dead and 52 phases of the project. We already have thousands
wounded over the weekend as deadly clashes wounded when rival groups exchanged fire in working on the ground. It is employing various
erupted between Libyan political factions in the a central district which hosts main diplomatic contractors across different areas. This is a true
capital Tripoli, the health ministry said in a state- missions, and clashes spread to the areas of Ain example of how local content should be.”
ment on Sunday, August 28. The death toll was Zara and Asbaa. The Executive Secretary in his remarks com-
expected to rise in the bloodiest clashes in two The UN’s Libya mission called for an imme- mended Nigeria LNG for its impressive compli-
years, with the UN calling for an immediate stop diate ceasefire. It is not yet known whether the ance with the provisions of the Nigerian Content
to hostilities in the North African country. clashes will affect the oil production and exports Act, adding that the Board has continually ful-
Small-arms fire and explosions were heard in which resumed a normal capacity of 1.21mn filled its obligations on the Service Level Agree-
several areas of the capital. Hundreds of people barrels per day (bpd) last week. ment. He expressed delight with the progress
were evacuated from areas around the fighting. bna/IntelliNews, August 29 2022 being made with the execution of the LNG Train
On Saturday, August 27, forces loyal to Interim 7 project, noting that it had reached about 30%
PM Abdulhamid Dbeibah attempted to push NCDMB, NLNG to deepen completion.
back a convoy of militia loyal to the parlia- He also stated that the worth of the Train 7
ment-appointed government of Fathi Bashagha partnership on projects, project is about $5bn, which represents huge
in a fresh struggle for control. foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Nige-
Tribal groups and militias in southern and LPG penetration rian economy. Other economic benefits include
central parts of the country have been in regu- the creation of 10,000 direct jobs and about
lar clashes to exert pressure on the Tripoli-based The Nigerian Content Development and Mon- 40,000 indirect employment opportunities. He
government of Dbeibeh to hand over power to itoring Board (NCDMB) and Nigeria LNG Ltd added: “There are also upstream projects that
Bashagha. The fresh fighting came after months will set up a tactical team comprising nominees are currently being approved that will supply
of mounting tensions between their respective from both organisations to drive closer collab- gas to Train 7. Those upstream projects will lead
backers. oration on projects, ensure compliance with to additional $6m foreign direct investment
Dbeibah’s Government of National Unity Nigerian Content obligations and promote other into the country. This will create employment
(GNU) said fighting had broken out after strategic alliances for the good of the nation’s opportunities, touch the lives of families, raise
talks to avoid bloodshed failed, but Bashagha economy. the profile of the country as a major LNG pro-
denied such talks had occurred and accused This decision was reached on Wednesday ducer and increase our domestic LPG (cooking
Dbeibah’s administration of clinging to power. when the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG gas) production. Train 7 is already providing a
Pro-Bashagha militias reportedly heading to Ltd, Dr. Philip Mshelbila led his management lot of jobs for Nigerian contractors, fabricators,
Tripoli from Misrata later turned back on Sat- team to pay a courtesy visit to the Executive logistics companies and more. The benefits are
urday night. Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr. Simbi Kesiye enormous.”
Libya plunged into chaos after the Arab Wabote at the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, He assured that the Board will continue to
Spring in 2011 that ousted ex-dictatorship Bayelsa State. collaborate closely with the Nigeria LNG, espe-
The Managing Director explained that the cially to ensure deeper LPG (cooking gas) pen-
visit was conceived to introduce the company’s etration into the Nigerian market, hinting that
new management team to the NCDMB. He NCDMB had partnered with several investors
stated: “NLNG and NCDMB have a special part- towards improving the accessibility of LPG.
nership that is beyond operator and regulator Wabote also encouraged Nigeria LNG to
relationship. We started this relationship when consider further investments, highlighting that
we signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) a few Qatar already had 14 LNG trains. He said Nige-
years ago and it put in place standards by which ria needed to grow its LNG capacities, especially
we would work together and ensure compliance with the world’s clamour for energy transition
and guard against surprises.” and Federal Government’s declaration that gas
He said the current plan is to take the rela- is Nigeria’s transition fuel.
tionship further and beyond complying with the NCDMB, August 25 2022

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