Sponsored
Business

Govt, World Bank Sign Agreement For $500m Calabar Gas Plant

Sponsored
Sponsored

The Federal Government and the World Bank have signed a Partial Risk Guarantee (PRG) agreement for the supply of gas to the $500 million Calabar gas plant to boost energy supply by 500 megawatts.

 Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who witnessed the signing of the agreement at the Presidential Villa, said the event is very significant for the country as it would encourage investment in gas infrastructure.

He said government expected that going by the current power situation, the investment was worth celebrating.

He said government was grateful to the World Bank and the investors in the Calabar plant for coming to the aid of the country in its drive to increase power supply.

“We are looking forward to the multiplier effect that will come from this investment,” Osinbajo said, noting that the gas plant traversed Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

The Vice President also said the investment would portend greater things that could happen in the future.

Mr Chiedu Ugbo, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) Ltd., said the agreement was to tackle the gas supply issues in the plant built to generate about 561 megawatts of electricity.

He said the agreement was to enable the gas supplier to supply approximately 131 million cubic feet of gas per day to the Calabar plant, from its field in Akwa Ibom.

Ugbo said it was the first PRG agreement for the security payment for the supply of gas to cushion the breach in payment for the supply of gas.

According to him, the Calabar Generation Company is owned by the NDPHC, a concern of government, adding that in the event of breach, JP Morgan under the World Bank would pay and be reimbursed gradually in 12 months.

Also Speaking, Mr Philip Iheanacho, the Chief Executive of Seven Energy, said this was the first gas-to-power guarantee that the World Bank had provided for encouraging investment in the gas sector in Nigeria.

He said it had unlocked about $700 million investment into gas infrastructure in the country.

“Seven Energy has committed its shareholders together with its banks for very significant investment on the back of this guarantee from the World Bank. It is a means of attracting capital into the gas sector, which is critical to the power sector in Nigeria,” he said.

Iheanacho noted that the World Bank had a programme of gas-to-power guarantees that could be used for further investments in the sector. He said the big challenge for investors in the gas sector was their worry about payment risks. This structure enables investors to be confident that they would be paid on time because it is a guarantee from the World Bank.

“And that will unlock a lot more investment in the gas and power sector in Nigeria,” he added.

Finance Minister Kemi Adeosun and Ugbo signed for Nigeria while Rachid Benmessaoud, World Bank Country Director and Iheanacho signed for World Bank.

Source: Independent Energy Watch Initiative

Sponsored
David Odey

Recent Posts

Democracy Day: Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba Rallies Nigerians Especially Women To Make Polling Units ‘Beacons Of Hope’ Ahead Of 2027

As Nigeria marks another historic June 12 Democracy Day, prominent political leader, Aarebirin Hon. Princess…

1 hour ago

Ikeja LG Boss, Comrade Dauda Greets Nigerians On Democracy Day

OLALEKAN ONI As Nigeria marks another Democracy Day, the Executive Chairman of Ikeja Local Government,…

2 hours ago

JMG At 28 – A Groundbreaking Trajectory from Generator Supplier to Electro- Mechanical Powerhouse

JMG Limited, Nigeria’s foremost integrated electromechanical solutions company is celebrating 28 years of innovation, growth, and industry leadership,  marking…

3 hours ago

Insight Redefini Names Babatunde Olaifa New Group CEO

Insight Redefini Group, Nigeria and West Africa’s largest integrated marketing communications network and a member…

4 hours ago

Access Holdings Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede Says Acquisition Phase Over, Focus Shifts to Shareholder Returns

BY FUNSHO AROGUNDADE Access Holdings Plc Chairman Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said the group has completed 20…

4 hours ago

Details of Proposed Constitutional Amendments for the Establishment of State Police And Federal Police

These are the details of proposed Constitutional Amendments for the Establishment of the State Police…

5 hours ago
Sponsored