Compressed gas: FG woos investors

Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) has called for more private investments in compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry. This followed the successful conversion of engines of heavy-duty trucks from petrol to CNG and diesel as alternative automotive fuel by Sagas Energy Company Limited, a subsidiary of Dangote group.

Seidu Mohammed, Managing Director of NGC, who made the call during the launch of  Ikeja Conversion Centre by the Dangote subsidiary firm, and called for more investors into the project.

According to him, the Federal Government is keen on creating opportunities for industrial growth through its gas master plan and availability of more gas for end users, stressing “Nigeria stands to gain if compressed natural gas use is embraced in the country.”

Alhaji Sani Dangote, Chairman of Sagas Energy, said: “Of the 5000 trucks belonging to Dantrans, the haulage arm of the Dangote, 200 has been successfully converted to the new system for the trucks to be able to run on both gas and diesel (dual fuel usage).”

Dangote said the launch is in furtherance of the 20 years gas supply agreement the company signed with the NGC to supply and distribute compressed natural gas.

The  Sagas boss disclosed that 5000 trucks would be converted within a year and that the kit to convert 1000 are already on ground. He advised commercial vehicle owners as well as industrial and private owners to avail themselves of the benefits of the new technology.

He said his company would open more conversion centers at strategic locations across the country before the end of the year, adding that his company has trained over 30 Nigerian engineers to work in the centers and that more engineers would be trained as the company increases the centers nationwide

“Authorized conversion centers and gas filling stations would be established. We already have some of these centers in operation now. We have commenced the training of engineers and other technicians that would undertake the conversion. Our partners are here to put them through,” he said.

On the safety of the technology, Dangote allayed the fears of Nigerians: ” The Cylinder being used for automobile gas has been designed in such a way to prevent explosion. “The cylinder is bullet proof, it is stronger that armored tanks, no object can puncture it and as you can feel it. Even in extreme condition such as accident, the gas cannot explode.”

Chief Operating Officer of Prins Autogas West Africa Limited, Henry Van Tienen, explained that the conversion was a novel technology in Africa and that the use of gas either as alternative fuel or a mix blend with diesel has advantages over any other fuel currently in  use.newswatchs.blogspot.com

Lagos to develop 50-year master plan for tertiary education

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said the state government has concluded plans to develop a 50-year master plan for tertiary education, aimed at improving the infrastructure and quality of education in the state.

Fashola who disclosed this at a meeting with students and the managements of the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Lagos State College of Education (LACOED), Lagos City Polytechnic, youth organisations and members of the State Executive Council.

The meeting held at the auditorium of LASU to commemorate the 2,200 days of his administration and to facilitate and encourage the discussion and communication between the GOWN (which is the generic word for our higher institutions of learning) and the TOWN (the generic word for the larger society).

The governor said that the plan will soon be concluded and is a joint effort of the state executive council and the management of the state’s tertiary institutions. He said; “It will help both parties achieve their desired dream for the institutions in the state. And our dream is to ensure that the institutions have higher quality of intellectual exchange just the way it happens in other great institutions of the world.

“This will further assist our students to compete favourably with their peers in Oxford, Harvard and others. Our students in tertiary institutions are in the generation right behind us. They are the ones who in a short time will bear the responsibility to refine our crude oil, generate our electricity, produce our water, manage this university, build our trains, secure our state and country and generally be responsible for our people’s well-being,” Fashola added.

According to him, “We are dreaming of this school 50 years ahead when many of us will not be here to determine the fate of the institution. We are courageous enough to start that journey today.”

On the content of the plan, Fashola said; “Just in the way we have constructed a dedicated 24-hour Lagos Island Independent Power Project, IPP, to power public infrastructure in that axis, we will also be setting up a dedicated IPP for the institutions to provide an uninterrupted power supply,”adding that there will be new students hostel, staff quarters, and University Guest House that will help the institutions attract guest lecturers who can stay on campus to deliver their service.”

Stakeholders pledge enabling environment as French investors visit Rivers

PORT HARCOURT—THE government and organised private sector in Rivers State have pledged to produce the enabling environment for the over 10 visiting French investment groups, exploring expansionist business opportunities in the state.

At a session to acquaint some French businessmen with prospective Nigerian partners and target clients in Port Harcourt, Rivers State House of Assembly and Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHACCIMA, jointly guaranteed a safe business environment, while pledging to take necessary steps to secure investor’s stakes in the state.

Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Mr. Leyii Kwanee, who spoke for government said through proactive legislations, provision of basic infrastructure, harmonious executive/legislature relationship and sustained commitment to peace and security, Rivers has become investors’ destination of choice.

Government’s overall efforts at building investor’s confidence, Kwanee noted, are manifested in ongoing legislative debates to harmonise taxes and reduce multiple taxation on businesses in the state, expansion of energy project towards achieving steady power supply and increased investment in security, among others.

“I am delighted this forum assembled top executives of major French companies also are in the state looking at investment possibilities in the state.  This lends credence to the conducive investment environment being fashioned out by the Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s administration. Be rest assured that the government will encourage you,” Kwanee told the French business tourists.

Engr. Emeka Nnachukwu, President of PHACCIMA, while giving the private sector perspective, said the wealth of natural resources, availability of labour, and cohesion of the local business community through the Port Harcourt Chambers, added to the government efforts, make Rivers the most investment friendly economy in Nigeria.

Nnachukwu, however, cautioned the visitors that “To take full advantage of the Rivers enabling environment, you must not act alone. You must be guided by the organised private sector,  if not through the chambers, then certainly through a qualified agent. And you must honour the Nigerian Content Act. Otherwise you are bound to fail.”

June 12 is a unique day – President Jonathan

Abuja -  President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday described June 12 as “a unique day that has changed the political history’’ of the country.
The president made the remarks at the inauguration of the Board of the Police Service Commission held at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“Today is also a unique day, June 12, a date that has changed the political history of this country in one way or the other.
“In some parts of the country, some state governments have declared public holiday to mark today, but at the centre, it has not been formally recognised as a public holiday.
“We appreciate what happened on this day that you are being inaugurated, I think it is a unique date,’’ he said.
The resident made the short remarks before he gave his charge to the board chaired by former Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro.
It will be recalled that precisely 20 years ago, June 12, 1993, a presidential election was held in the country in which Late Chief Moshood Abiola was believed to be the winner.
The former Military Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida,  annulled the election which was adjudged by local and international observers to be the freest and fairest.
The annulment of the election led to crisis and outrage as well as the arrest and incarceration of Abiola, who died in detention on July 8, 1998. (NAN)

National development to be enhanced using space technology

FG to use space technology to enhance national development – Jonathan

Abuja- The Federal Government is rolling out plans to use space technology to enhance national security, communication, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development.
President Goodluck Jonathan made this known on Tuesday when he inaugurated a 13-member National Space Council (NSC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said that given the critical place of space technology in national security, communication, industrialisation and sustained socio-economic development, the need to properly structure and drive the national space programme could not be over-emphasised.
“This informs why our administration has constituted this council with high calibre membership.
“We must evolve clear cut initiatives that will not only fast-track our industrialisation process, but one that will also see us, within the shortest possible period, to be able to build our own motor vehicles, our own boats and our own aircraft.
“We should also be able to launch our own satellite manufactured in Nigeria from a launch site in Nigeria on a launch vehicle made in Nigeria.”
Jonathan said this was a challenge not only to the members of the council, but to all Nigerians.
“We should rededicate ourselves to building a better, technologically advanced, stable and prosperous Nigeria for our children.”
He reiterated government’s unwavering commitment to the actualisation of the goal of the programme, and urged members of the Council to evolve measures that would enable the country to maximally benefit from the huge investments in the development of space technology.
The Council is chaired by the President, while Vice President Namadi Sambo is the deputy chairman.
Other members are the ministers of science and technology, communication technology, education, defence, interior and national planning.
The attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice; professors Elijah Mshelia, Vincent Olunloyo and Francesca Okeke, and the director-general, National Space Research and Development Agency, are also members of the Council.
The National Space Council is the apex body charged with the responsibility of developing policy guidelines for the country’s activities in space, in addition to monitoring the implementation of the National Space Programme. (NAN)