PETROLEUM INVESTMENTS: FG To Attract Investors On Renewable Energy, Hydrogen Development

Amb. Nicholas Agbo Ella (right) addressing the Directors and other members of Staff of the Ministry at the Town Hall meeting today 27th June, 2024 in Abuja.

"The Ministry of Petroleum Resources had taken significant steps in developing a hydrogen policy to diversify Nigeria's energy mix and contribute to global efforts in reducing carbon emissions." Amb Ella

..... The policy framework is aimed at establishing hydrogen as a viable alternative energy source, leveraging existing gas infrastructure to produce green hydrogen."

Diversification of the energy mix by investing in renewable energy, hydrogen development with an enhanced regulatory framework to attract private investments, is the focus of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

This was the assertion of the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Amb Nicholas Agbo Ella at a Town-Hall meeting with the staff of the Ministry in Abuja on Thursday, 27th June, 2024.

Amb Ella stressed that to actualize this, that the Ministry had taken significant steps in developing a hydrogen policy to diversify Nigeria's energy mix and contribute to global efforts in reducing carbon emissions.

He added that, "the policy framework is aimed at establishing hydrogen as a viable alternative energy source, leveraging existing gas infrastructure to produce green hydrogen."

The Permanent Secretary implored members of staff of the Ministry to align their efforts with the relevant Presidential Priority directive to “Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development”. 

Cross section of the attendees at the townhall engagement

He therefore appealed to all members of staff to brace up for the huge responsibilities placed on their shoulders as civil servants, who are the agents that drive and sustain development in any society. 

He emphasized the need to always act in tandem with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision to reset Nigeria on the path of growth and sustainable development. 

“We must not be found wanting on our mandate as a Ministry in driving the President’s Vision and Mission of laying a sustainable foundation for a decent society”, he added.

Amb. Ella recalled that various initiatives and programmes like the “Decade of Gas” programme, National Gas Expansion Programme, (NGEP), AKK Gas Pipeline Project, and the OB3 Gas Pipeline Project among others, were all geared towards driving gas expansion to every nook and cranny of Nigeria and positioning Nigeria as a leading gas-powered economy.

With regard to the ongoing jostle for the hosting right of the African Energy Bank (AEB), Ella said Nigeria’s aspiration to host the bank has reached the advanced stages. 

“We have held meetings and lobbying Member States of the African Petroleum Producers' Organization (APPO). The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has directed us to ratify the establishment agreement and we are going to proceed on that”, he stated. 

He further stated that he would be leveraging on his international exposure to put the Ministry on the path of unmatched progress.

Amb. Ella assured the staff that the Ministry would continue to prioritize their welfare through enhanced incentives while also placing premium on human capital development through training and retraining within the limits of available resources. 

The Permanent Secretary informed that, in line with the mandate under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), arrangements are in place to commence the process of implantation of the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated (MOPI).

He also remarked that the Ministry is poised to embrace innovations and technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Enterprise Content Management (ECM) in actualizing set objectives.

The highpoint of the meeting was the interactive session where the Permanent Secretary fielded questions from the staff as well as paper presentations on 'How to thrive in recession' and 'Transform your workplace health' by resource persons.

In her remarks at the event, the Director Human Resources Management, Mrs. Asma’u Shehu Adaji thanked the Permanent Secretary for creating time to interface with the staff.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Oluwakemi Ogunmakinwa (Mrs.), Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations) of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Abuja and made available to journalists.