By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lagos state government, with sights on economic growth, has partnered with Africa Clean Energy Technical Assistance Facility (ACE_TAF) based in the United Kingdom to raise solar energy supply independent of the national grid.
The federal government has also chipped in by inaugurating a National Oil and Gas Excellence Centre (NOGEC) in Lagos to boost oil and gas operations in the country.
Governor Babajide Samwo-Olu, who was represented by Deputy Governor Femi Hamzat at the ceremony where the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Ikeja, explained that policies are being devised to facilitate the project.
He said energy improvement and access is a major pillar of his administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda in making Lagos a 21st century economy and improving policy and regulation to boost investment in the energy sector.
Energy and Mineral Resources Commissioner, Olalere Odusote, added that “our ministry is ready to partner with the private sector to achieve desired access to energy by all in the state.
“The Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources is working assiduously to facilitate the improvement in energy access in the state, as the off-grid solar sector has emerged as an important component to achieving access to energy for all in the state.”
Petroleum Resources (DPR) Director, Sarki Auwalu, was quoted in a statement issued by DPR Head of Public Affairs, Paul Osu, as saying that the NOGEN centre in Lagos would give the oil and gas industry the crucial elements for competitive advantage in a changing global energy landscape.
“The integrated centre will also entrench Nigeria’s status as a regional leader and position the nation for significant global impact in the provision value-added services and breakthrough solutions for the industry in years and decades to come,” he added.
“Rescue and Surveillance, SeRAS is an industry-wide programme established to enhance safety management, emergency preparedness and response as well as bed space management and logistics services across the industry.
“SeRAS will entrench safe practices, drive cost reduction and improve operational efficiency across the industry.
“The SeRAS Command and Control Centre (CCC) is established at the NOGEC Centre, Lagos while two other Rescue Coordination Centres (RCC) will be set up at Osubi and Brass, in the first instance, for effective coverage of areas of operations.”
The NOGEC complex houses the various flagship centres in order to comprehensively cover key areas of the industry.
Auwalu listed the centres as SeRAS, CCC, NIORC, Oil and Gas Dispute Resolution Centre (DRC), Oil and Gas Competence Development Centre (CDC), and Integrated Data Mining and Analytics Centre (IDMAC).
He said the centres are structured to drive the three-prong objectives of safety, value, and cost efficiency, which are critical for stability, growth, and sustainability in the oil and gas industry.