Business
Nigerian refineries damaged beyond turnaround maintenance – NNPC
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) says the nation’s refineries have been damaged beyond the usual turnaround maintenance (TAM).
It said this accounted for the prolonged neglect of their overhauling.
However, to revamp them,
The national oil, however, said it was embarking upon total rehabilitation of the plants, which despite currently being non-functional, gulp about N10bn monthly in payment of salaries and other in-built costs.
The Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC), Mr Ezekiel Osarolube, stated that the corporation had begun the rehabilitation of all the facilities.
He spoke on Wednesday, the third day of the virtual Oil Trading and Logistics (OTL) Africa Downstream Expo 2020, with the theme ‘Petroleum Refining Trends and Outlook for Tomorrow’s Energy Supply’.
He explained that there was now a private/public arrangement in the revamping of the refineries, adding that getting them back on stream remained a priority of the NNPC.
Osarolube said, “The first phase of this project is to raise capacity and second phase is to upgrade and modernise to meet current trends; so, we need time to get there.
“There’s a difference between turnaround maintenance and what we are doing now. The traditional TAM, which the whole world knows is usually statutory, which is done two to three years, is to open and clean the system.
“But because of the long neglect, we have gone beyond that level of turnaround. What we are talking about now is comprehensive rehabilitation, which will involve replacing very obsolete equipment that can bring the plants back to optimum performance,” he stated.
He also said the journey to make the plants resume production was ongoing, adding that the corporation had a road map being followed religiously to ensure all the slippages were rectified.
“These steps are going on in Warri, Kaduna and Port Harcourt and we have a roadmap we follow religiously.
“Every month, we have a stakeholders’ meeting to review where we are and if there is any slippages and how to recover because top management is focused on this project as the number one project of the NNPC.
“We are dealing with people who are good in the business and they also want to recoup their money. All the fears will be taken care of and everyone will be proud of the NNPC.”
The Executive Secretary of the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARA), a pan-African organisation for the African downstream oil sector, Mr Anibor Kragha, said while the NNPC was on the right path, it should focus on combining rehabilitation and upgrade to cleaner fuel specs to sell across Africa since there’s a huge market for it.
He said, “We are going to have a population explosion in the next two decades and we are going to need an increased amount of energy to meet their demands.
“Renewables are going to grow during that period. Notwithstanding what happens, we are going to need a lot of crude oil but we need to focus on cleaner fuels. That’s why we are calling for Africa specific fuels by 2030.”
Auto
Jetour attributes Nigeria’s award to customers loyalty, innovation
Jetour attributes Nigeria’s award to customers loyalty, innovation
Jetour has been declared the fastest growing auto brand in Nigeria.
The award was announced on Wednesday December 11, 2024 in Lagos at an impressive ceremony organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA).
Jetour representative in Nigeria, Jetour Mobility Services, has taken to its Facebook page to celebrate its customers for making this to happen, attributing the success to its commitment to innovation in creating remarkable driving experiences.
Jetour known for its luxury offerings is one of China’s most revered auto brands, a marque of Chery Holding Group established in 2018.
It mainly produces crossovers and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs).
The recognition of Jetour as the Fastest Growing Auto Brand in the country is coming about a year after its introduction into the Nigerian market.
Jetour arrived in Nigeria in the last quarter of last year. And the SUVs available for this market are X70 – Liberty, X70 Plus – Elegance, X90 Plus – Cruise and Dashing.
Chairman of the NAJA Awards Organising Committee, Mr Theodore Opara, said despite being new in the Nigerian market, the brand was quickly able to secure a prominent place for itself in the highly competitive industry and received considerable attention from new car enthusiasts.
The committee, he added, had no difficulty in picking the brand as the fastest growing in the Nigerian auto market.
The name “Jetour” is a combination of the word “jet” and “tour”, which according to the automaker signifies a “convenient journey”. And its models try to depict this connotation in designs and performance.
Jetour Mobility Services said it considered the award a great honour, adding that it was a validation of its commitment to innovation and creating remarkable driving experiences.
The firm celebrates the award on its Facebook page with the following comments:
“We’re honoured to be named the Fastest Growing Auto Brand of the Year at the prestigious NAJA Auto Awards, powered by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association.
“This achievement is a testament to our commitment to innovation, quality, and creating unforgettable driving experiences.
“A huge thank you to our amazing customers and everyone who has been a part of the journey — your trust propels us forward! Cheers to more milestones ahead!”
Jetour says its focus is to be a leader in mobility as well as provide reasonable travel solutions for individuals and families.
Its goal is to provide an excellent vehicle that demonstrates individuality for today’s young people, it adds.
As in the global market, the brand users in Nigeria are said to be an uncompromising group of individuals, unwilling to settle for less.
Jetour is not only winning in Nigeria, it is also a toast of a section of the Saudi market. One of its models, Dashing, recently won the Best Midsize Crossover Award for 2023-2024.
National Automotive Supply Company, the authorised distributor of Jetour vehicles in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announced that the new and advanced Jetour Dashing won the “Best Midsize Crossover” award during the awards ceremony of the 11th edition of the “PR Arabia National Automotive Award” in Saudi.
Jetour Dashing was announced as the winner at the ceremony held in mid-November in Jeddah under the patronage of the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation and in the presence of several princes and VIPs, as well as representatives of regional offices of automotive brands.
Business
NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo
NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) rejected a $750 million offer from billionaire businessman Aliko Dangote.
In an exclusive interview with Channels TV, former President Olusegun Obasanjo revealed that in 2007, Dangote offered a staggering $750 million to manage the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries.
Obasanjo explained that the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), now rebranded as NNPCL, rejected the offer due to its inability to operate the refineries effectively.
READ ALSO:
- Why I persuaded Tinubu to reject Yar’adua’s finance minister offer – Senator Ojudu
- Fubara replies Wike: Odili right face, image of Rivers
- Why smoking cigarettes, taking alcohol not sins – Pastor Damina
He said, “Aliko got a team together and they paid $750m to take part in PPP (Public–public-private partnership) in running the refineries.
“My successor refunded their money and I went to my successor and told him what transpired. He said NNPC said they wanted the refineries and they can run it. I now said but you know they cannot run it.
“But I was told not too long ago that since that time, more than $2 billion have been squandered on the refinery, and they still will not work,” he added
NNPC rejected Dangote $750m offer to manage Nigeria’s refineries, days Obasanjo
Auto
Yuletide: Chisco deploys new luxury, mini buses, top quality services
Yuletide: Chisco deploys new luxury, mini buses, top quality services
…hails Tinubu for 50% fare rebate
Nigeria’s Transport Company of the Year, Chisco Transport Ltd, has deployed in various routes nationwide its newly procured new luxury and mini buses with the latest innovative features in the industry.
It assured the travelling public of safe and top quality services on all its routes this Christmas/New Year season, and beyond.
It stated this in a statement released on Tuesday, adding that the company, which had been one of the country’s front runners in long distance passenger transportation and logistics for over 45 years, recently inaugurated about four new branches in order to bring its services closer to its teeming customers.
It listed some of the new branches that had helped to boost service delivery this Yuletide season as in Awka, Enugu, and on Okota Road (near Cele Bus Stop on Oshodi-Apapa expressway), Lagos.
It stated, “This is in addition to embarking on a comprehensive maintenance of the existing fleet of buses in order to ensure they are in roadworthy shape for trips across Nigeria and the Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra international route.
“Apart from advanced safety features like real-time GPS tracking and efficient safety systems, the new-look Chisco Transport fleet, featuring state-of-the-art buses, has all it takes to guarantee that passengers travel in style with their comfort and safety prioritised this season.”
It stated that the updated fleet had enhanced the popular Chisco 24 to 48-hour nationwide mail and parcel services.
All these, the leading transport solutions and logistics provider said, are part of deliberate efforts to ensure seamless and comfortable bus and logistic services to the customers during the 2024 Yuletide season and thereafter.
Chisco’s Head of Business Operations, Mr Buchi Ochuba, in the statement explained that the same commitment to ensuring safe and comfortable trips out of major cities and towns before Christmas, would also be deployed to return journeys in the new year.
He said that the management was aware that the huge investments the company had been making towards upscaling its services recently earned it the Transport Company of the Year at the recent Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) Awards in Lagos.
Ochuba reiterated Chisco Transport’s resolve to sustain the high standards that earned the company an enviable reputation, as well as continue investments in safety and comfort of travellers that have earned it the confidence of the travelling public and the auto journalists’ award.
“We appreciate the fact that in adjudging Chisco Transport the Transport Company of the Year, NAJA must have taken into consideration the high standards of our services, the over 50 new air-conditioned buses we procured recently, the new branches we inaugurated, our customer reward scheme and other investments we made to enhance passenger transportation and logistics,” Ochuba stated.
According to him, everything is in place to make certain that the teeming Chisco Transport customers all over Nigeria and on the international route enjoy top quality services, adding “We wish them a wonderful Christmas and a highly prosperous 2025.”
Chisco Transport also applauded President Bola Tinubu for the gesture of subsidising inter-state luxury bus transport fares by 50 percent this Christmas season.
Drawing attention to the importance of infrastructure to the road transportation business, the statement further commended the President for the appreciable allocations for the sector in the 2025 budget.
“We, therefore, wish to urge members of his cabinet to put in more deliberate efforts to help the President attain his vision with speedy and prudent execution inspired by patriotism.”
On the current sharp increase in fares across the routes, the award-winning transport company blamed the situation on rising costs of maintaining the buses, as well as on the high pump prices of diesel and petrol.
The Head of Operations, however, added that at the peak of every Christmas season, long distance buses are almost empty during return trips, which leads to a situation whereby the fares for the first journeys are raised to cushion the losses incurred during reverse trips.
-
Sports3 days ago
Anthony Joshua prostrates before Governor Abiodun during Ogun visit
-
metro2 days ago
Wanted terrorist commander, Bello Turji, a dead man walking – DHQ
-
metro2 days ago
Nigeria on life support when Tinubu took office – Akpabio
-
metro2 days ago
Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year
-
metro3 days ago
LASU don accuses Ikeja Electric of extortion, petitions FCCPC
-
metro11 hours ago
‘Deepen Shariah knowledge to curb misinformation’
-
metro3 days ago
N180m not missing from my account, it was all a plan – Verydarkman
-
metro3 days ago
Tinubu reveals Buhari’s role in commencement of Warri refinery operation
You must be logged in to post a comment Login