By Yemi Olakitan
The Federal Government of Nigeria has requested for more cooperation from a Sahara Group subsidiary, Sahara Energy International Singapore, on gas development to hasten the continent of Africa’s transformation to a renewable energy source.
The request was made while Ekperikpe Ekpo, Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ambassador Gabriel Aduda, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Mr Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Mr. Abiodun Adeniji, Executive Director Finance of the NMDPRA, were guests at Sahara Energy recently.
The tour took place in conjunction with the Asian Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC), a Singapore-based conference where corporate executives from the Asia-Pacific region’s oil and gas industries come together to exchange market insights, forge connections, and learn about new prospects.
At Sahara Energy’s offices in the Millenia Towers in the Temasek Avenue business district of Singapore, the delegation was welcomed by the Chief Executive Officer of Sahara Energy International Singapore, Yomi Benson, the Country Manager of Sahara Energy International Singapore, Koyejo Bankole, and the Head of Trading of Sahara Energy (Geneva), Jerome Espinasse.
Both parties spoke about a range of topics of national importance, including investment opportunities in gas production, infrastructure, and international trade, investments in gas infrastructures throughout Nigeria, investment opportunities in gas development, and how gas is essential for ensuring access to energy, a just energy transition, and powering industries for productivity and growth.
The lively discussions also included green bonds and green financing for the construction of gas infrastructure in Nigeria and throughout Africa, as well as the role that international financial institutions would need to play.
The minister was pleased with Sahara Group’s outstanding success in Asia during the last 14 years. Sahara Group is a Nigerian-based energy conglomerate.
He urged cooperation in carrying out President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan for Nigerian gas development.
In this regard, he continued, “We most definitely need more partners like the Sahara Group, companies that are adamant in their commitment to expanding energy access for all, energy transition, and sustainability in the sector.
CEO of Sahara Energy Singapore, Benson, responded that the company was pleased to host the minister and his entourage.
Benson praised the government for having a strong plan for the development of the gas industry in Nigeria and argued that the price of gas should be reviewed in light of both domestic and international demand.
In order to restart Nigeria’s much-needed industrial transformation and create jobs, lower business costs, lower production costs, and strengthen Nigeria’s position as a preferred export base for investors worldwide, he emphasised the significance of ensuring continuous gas supply.
“Sahara Group is committed to working with local, regional, and international stakeholders to promote sustainability and energy availability in Africa. This is how we ethically create energy,” he continued.
In addition to expressing Sahara Group’s continued readiness and capacity to work with the government in achieving the different goals and changes in the gas sector, Benson thanked the minister and his colleagues for their visit to Sahara and welcomed them back.
He pointed out that building more gas infrastructure near vital industrial processing zones, power plants, and significant industrial districts will hasten Nigeria’s search for energy efficiency, boost the country’s economy, and ensure the country’s energy sustainability.
