LR: General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Nigeria LNG Limited, Mr. Andy Odeh; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe; General Manager, Production, NLNG, Engr. Nnamdi Anowi; Director Monitoring and Evaluation, NCDMB, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu; Manager Human Resources Business Relations, NLNG, Mr. Kennedy Agbonkhese; Manager Non-Technical Risks for Train 7 Projects, Mr. Joshua Anemeje and Manager Nigerian Content Development, NLNG, Engr. Dagogo Buowari at the commissioning ceremony of the 10,000 Tons per annum galvanizing plant constructed by Daewoo Engineeering Nigeria Limited, at Abam-ama, Okrika, Rivers State on Friday, August 16, 2024.

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe on Friday commissioned the 10,000 Tons per annum galvanizing plant constructed by Daewoo Engineering Nigeria Limited, one of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors of the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Train 7 Project.

The ceremony which held at Daewoo Galvanising Plant at Abam-ama, Okrika, Rivers State was attended by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Dr. Philip Mshelbila.

The Galvanising plant is one of the capacity development interventions for the Train 7 project and the establishment is sequel to NCDMB’s requirement that the execution of major EPC projects in the country must include the development of a legacy investment that will close a critical capacity gap in the oil and gas industry.

The Executive Secretary lauded NLNG and Daewoo Engineering for responding positively to the Nigerian Content legacy requirement, adding that the commissioning of the hot deep galvanizing plant has increased Nigeria’s galvanising capacity to over 180,000 Tons/annum, with other facilities established by Dorman-long Engineering, Sparkwest steel industries and African Industries Group.

The facility will serve the Nigerian oil and gas industry and linkage sectors, including telecommunications, power and transport sectors that require galvanised materials. The importance of galvanizing, he explained, included corrosion protection, extended service life of steel materials, cost effectiveness and safety assurances.

Ogbe indicated that the galvanizing plants and other strategic Nigerian Content investments could enjoy patronage from sister African countries courtesy of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement protocols, especially if the firms carry out intensive marketing and remain committed to quality standards and competitiveness.

He confirmed that the domiciliation of key industry capacities is contributing towards the attainment of the 70% Nigerian Content target by 2027 and “underscores the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s Administration towards implementing pro-local production reforms that will bring about employment and economic prosperity.”

In his remarks, the Managing Director of NLNG, Dr. Philip Mshelbila reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to achieving its Nigerian Content objectives in its Train 7 Project on Bonny Island.

According to Dr. Mshelbila, the protection of steel for durability was a significant application in the energy sector, bolstering the resilience of equipment against depletion and enhancing operational efficiency, reducing wastage from replacement costs, and prolonging the lifespan of relevant equipment.

“The visit to the Daewoo Galvanising Plant is a further ‘show and tell’ of our compliance with the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act and, our sincere vision of being a globally competitive LNG company helping build a better Nigeria. As we commission this facility, we are not only celebrating the expansion of our industrial capabilities but also reaffirming our unwavering commitment to contributing to the local economy and creating sustainable job opportunities for the local business environment, he said.

Represented by NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Mr. Andy Odeh, the Managing Director reported significant progress in the Train 7 Project reflecting the Company’s commitment to excellence.

“We are proud to share the development of the Train 7 project, a groundbreaking initiative that sets new standards in the Nigerian oil and gas sector. Train 7 has achieved several notable milestones including the successful completion of key construction phases and the integration of advanced technologies that enhance our operational capabilities. These accomplishments reflect our commitment to delivering substantial economic and social benefits to Nigeria.

“Our dedication to Nigerian Content is evident in every facet of our operations. From enhancing local capabilities and fostering technological innovation to creating sustainable opportunities for Nigerians, NLNG remains at the forefront of these efforts. We at NLNG are determined to “Go Beyond Compliance” in line with our vision of helping to build a better Nigeria,” he stressed.

The industry executives alongside other executives of NLNG, NCDMB, Daewoo Construction and key stakeholders of the oil and gas industry took a tour of the plant.

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Introduction 
In Africa, with a young demographic, a plethora of socioeconomic development requirements and energy poverty, amongst other pressing issues, meeting the population’s minimum energy requirements is crucial and existential. These critical issues must be reconciled when mapping Africa’s development path and addressed before the drive to achieve Net Zero emissions.
With geopolitical tensions rising and growing pressures to eliminate hydrocarbons from the energy mix, the continent’s primary concern should be securing energy availability and affordability for its people. Currently, it is estimated that 600 million Africans lack access to electricity, creating significant barriers to health care, education, productivity, digital inclusivity, and, ultimately, job creation.
Therefore, the continent must focus on securing energy access from every source despite geopolitical tensions and increasing pressure to eliminate hydrocarbons. This natural resource is currently abundant but largely underdeveloped, a situation that applies to every country on the continent.

Balancing Decarbonisation and Energy Security
While decarbonisation is a critical global urgency, it should not be pursued at the expense of energy security, national security or economic stability. This is especially true for Africa, which, despite housing one-fifth of the world’s population, is responsible for less than 3 percent of global carbon emissions. The continent also grapples with extreme energy poverty, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) reporting that 43 percent of its population lacks access to electricity despite significant untapped hydrocarbon resources. Balancing these two priorities and the need for molecules and electrons with the growth of the continent and its young population is a complex but necessary task.
Compared with the ageing demographics of developed regions, Africa’s youthful population is poised to drive a significant increase in energy demand in the coming years. This growth is not just necessary but also a source of hope, as it will accommodate the aspirations of its young populace. Therefore, it is unjust to expect Africa to forego developing its natural energy resources to mitigate environmental damage caused by 250 years of industrialisation by the Global North. This expectation leaves a whole generation behind and underscores the need for global equity in addressing climate change.

Ensuring a Just Transition
A truly equitable energy transition is not just a necessity but a moral imperative that meets the needs of all countries, necessitating extensive collaboration. It is crucial to strike a balance between traditional and renewable energy sources while considering the growth of Africa’s youthful population. While the continent recognises the necessity of decarbonisation, it also recognises that this cannot be achieved at the expense of its population’s development.
Africa’s unique energy needs must allow it to set its own energy transition pace. The first step is access to primary energy, clean cooking, and clean water – a just transition is both an obligation and a fundamental human right.
According to the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7, ensuring affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all is crucial. It is estimated that urban homes should have 100kWh of energy for basic access, which is insufficient to operate a refrigerator. Hence, there are calls to set the modern energy minimum closer to 1,000kWh.
Discussing a just transition for those lacking basic energy access is futile. To reach that starting point, energy demand must rise. However, the current surge in global energy demand driven by Big Tech’s AI integration highlights the injustice of insisting that Africa leave its hydrocarbons in the ground for Net Zero despite having no energy access.
Minimum energy requirements for human development must also come from affordable, reliable, and lower-carbon power. While the move to renewables is noble and necessary, another vital energy transition is the move from no energy to “some energy.” The developing world asks that everyone have access to the same amount of energy required to power a refrigerator, which is not too much to ask.

Collaborative Efforts for a Just Transition
In conclusion, achieving a just transition while ensuring energy security and affordability for all necessitates historic levels of collaboration and partnerships. Traditional energy companies must work with emerging clean-energy firms, and the Global North must align its energy transition demands with the Global South’s primary energy needs.
A truly just transition requires countries at different development stages to collaborate on understanding and addressing each other’s needs. International events such as the forthcoming Africa Oil Week (AOW) in Cape Town in October provide a platform for these critical dialogues so all stakeholders can navigate the path to net zero while ensuring energy security and affordability for all.
Celebrating its 30th year, AOW: Investing In African Energy, running from October 7 to 10 at the Cape Town International Conference Centre, will highlight opportunities across the energy transition value chain for the continent by the continent. The conference will focus on responsible exploration and production, gas monetisation, and future fuels. It will connect industry leaders, shape policy, and catalyse investment.

A joint regional pipeline development, the project will transport gas from Nigeria to Equatorial Guinea. Under the terms of the deal, gas will be processed at Equatorial Guinea’s LNG processing facilities at Punta Europa on Bioko Island – owned by the state-owned EG LNG – signaling new opportunities for energy security on the back of bilateral collaboration.
The deal, signed by Presidents Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo and Bola Ahmed Tinubu this week, outlines plans for a pipeline, LNG facility feedstock and gas sales to power companies and industrial users, ensuring energy security and regional trade in West Africa
“This agreement marks a significant milestone in Equatorial Guinea’s GMH initiative, reinforcing our position as a regional leader in gas monetisation. By partnering with Nigeria on the Gulf of Guinea Gas Pipeline, we are not only strengthening bilateral cooperation but also regional collaboration to ensure a secure and reliable supply of gas for our LNG facility at Punta Europa for years to come. This project will unlock immense economic value for both our nations, driving sustainable development and energy security across the region,” stated Antonio Oburu Ondo, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea.
The deal follows a slate of milestones achieved, all of which aim to enhance feedstock for Equatorial Guinea’s GMH at Punta Europa on Bioko Island. Commissioned in 2007, the facility was developed with the aim of monetising gas resources in both domestic and regional fields. Initially, gas was processed from the Alba field, however, faced with natural declines, alternative sources are being developed. Specifically, energy producer Marathon Oil Corp. and energy major Chevron signed an agreement in 2023 with Equatorial Guinea to advance the next stages of the GMH.
The first phase was completed in 2021 with the tie-back of the Alen field to the facility, with first gas achieved that same year. The second phase of the expansion project will involve processing gas from the Alba field under new contractual terms while the third phase will bring a new gas field online by processing gas from the Noble Energy-operated Aseng field. These consecutive phases directly address production decline in Equatorial Guinea while further positioning Punta Europa as a world-class hub for the monetisation of local gas.
Concurrently, Equatorial Guinea signed a bilateral trade agreement with Cameroon in 2024 to mobilise transborder wet gas fields. The countries agreed to jointly develop oil and gas projects along their shared maritime borders, including the Yoyo and Yolanda fields, the Etinde gas field, the Camen field and the Diega field.
The recent deal with Nigeria will further consolidate the Equatorial Guinea’s role as a regional infrastructure hub, boosting production and export capacity while monetising stranded reserves in Nigeria.
As the voice of the African energy sector, the African Energy Chamber fully supports Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea in this transformative agreement, which promises to drive progress and prosperity across West Africa.