APA – Lagos (Nigeria)
The clarification by the Nigerian military high command on Thursday that it had yet to receive directives to begin operations in Niger Republic is one of the trending stories in Nigerian newspapers on Thursday.
The Punch reports that the Nigerian military high command on Thursday said it had yet to get directives to begin operations in the Niger Republic.
The Defence Headquarters was reacting to news reports that the military had begun assembling troops for the military action in Niger.
The Economic Community for West African States had on Sunday imposed several sanctions on the military junta in the country and also issued a seven-day ultimatum to return power to a democratically elected government.
The ECOWAS threatened to commence military operations in the country should the junta ignore the ultimatum.
However, in a statement on Thursday, the Director of Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the Defence Chiefs in the region were still meeting in Abuja and would submit their plans to the Head of Governments and States for approval.
He added that without their approval, the military cannot commence operations in Niger.
The newspaper says that power supply from Nigeria to the Republic of Niger was stopped on Wednesday, as sanctions against the neighbouring country by the Economic Community of West African States increases.
On Sunday, ECOWAS, led by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, decided on sanctions against the military personnel in Niger who toppled President-elect Mohamed Bazoum’last week.
On July 26, officers of the Presidential Guard arrested Bazoum and declared him deposed.
In addition to a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order and the suspension of financial transactions with Niger, ECOWAS decreed the freezing of “all service transactions, including energy transactions.”
Impeccable sources in Nigeria’s power sector confirmed the development, while the AFP also reported on Wednesday that Nigeria had cut its electricity supply to Niger.
The international medium quoted a source close to the management of the Nigerien Electricity Company, popularly known as Nigelec, adding that the move was in line with the sanctions decided by ECOWAS.
However, industry experts called for caution and advised that the Federal Government should be diplomatic in handling the matter, as NIGELEC was under contract with a power firm in Nigeria, Mainstream Energy, for the supply of electricity.
Nigeria exports electricity to the Republics of Benin and Niger based on various Transaction Service Agreements.
In July, The PUNCH exclusively reported that Nigeria exported about N23.13bn worth of electricity to some neighbouring countries in 2022.
The report confirmed that Nigeria exported electricity to Transcorp-SBEE and Mainstream-NIGELEC.
SBEE is Société Beninoise d’Énergie Electrique, a Benin Republic power firm, while NIGELEC, which is Société Nigérienne d’Electricité or Nigerien Electricity Society, is a power utility firm in Niger Republic.
“Nigeria disconnected since yesterday (Tuesday) the high voltage line that carries electricity to Niger,” AFP quoted its source.
The Punch also reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress has confirmed the suspension of its planned strike, following the intervention of President Bola Tinubu and the Senate.
The resolution followed the National Executive Council meeting of the Congress.
The national treasurer, Hakeem Ambali, in a terse message sent to our correspondent this morning (Thursday), said, “ Protest suspended due to the Senate intervention and meeting with President Tinubu yesternight.”
The PUNCH reports that the NLC protest which was held yesterday across the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory prompted an emergency meeting between the President and the labour leaders.
Initially, the NLC had noted that it would only suspend its strike following a show of seriousness on the side of the government.
During the protest in Abuja on Wednesday, angry protesters pulled down the gates of the National Assembly in a bid to gain access to the premises so as to meet with the lawmakers.
The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, following the meeting with Tinubu said the President had made some commitments.
The labour centre is expected to brief the public shortly.
The Guardian says that the Chief Upstream Investment Officer, NUIMS, NNPC Ltd., Bala Wunti, has emphasised the need for a balance in managing energy transition.
He made the disclosure at the 46th edition of the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition (NAICE) held recently at the Eko Hotel, Lagos.
Held under the theme for, Balancing Energy Accessibility, Affordability, and Sustainability: Strategic Options for Africa, Wunti, a key speaker during the Panel Session, discussed the transition towards energy sustainability and strategies for developing countries.
Represented by Andrew Grant, the Head of PSC Investment Management, NUIMS, Wunti drew attention to two significant aspects of energy management: energy transition and energy security.
While energy transition refers to the global shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources, energy security calls for increased investment in all forms of energy to guarantee uninterrupted availability.
He highlighted that the ongoing conflict in Europe, recent policy changes, and post-COVID recovery are spurring investment in the energy sector, adding, “Yet, while investments in energy security are increasing, the push for energy transition continues unabated.”
While outlining anticipated rise in global energy demand from 2021 to 2050, he observed, “Despite the rise in renewable energy, oil and gas will still play a pivotal role, comprising more than 50 per cent of the total energy mix. This insight underscores the importance of continued investment in oil and gas production even during the energy transition.”
To meet escalating global energy demand, Wunti advocated for substantial investment and financial backing, especially in cleaner energy sources.
“This call is crucial as these sources often offer lower profit margins compared to traditional fossil fuel sources. Therefore, strategic actions towards financing the energy transition are imperative.”
He noted that approximately $1.9 trillion would be required over the next few years to meet clean energy targets, and stressed the need to ramp up gas usage for electricity, increase the use of electricity-fueled cars, and promote the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) for cooking in Nigeria.
Addressing the Nigerian situation, the speaker outlined the country’s energy opportunities and challenges, adding, “While Nigeria boasts abundant gas resources and renewable energy sources, it also grapples with rising energy demand, poor infrastructure, and a lack of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies.”
He shared NNPC’s strategic initiatives to increase gas production, which are expected to double current production levels in the coming years.
“This expansion requires significant investments, reflecting the government’s commitment to boosting gas production.”
GIK/APA
Nigerian press spotlights military’s clarification of no operational directives on Niger, others
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