Dutch firm to turn flare gas to power, cooking gas in Rivers - Punch Newspapers

CEO of Energy Venture BV, Herbert Okibe (m), briefing journalist alongside other officials of the company, Govert Rieteme and Yvonne te Wierika Chioke, shortly after inspection of the proposed FlayOut Gas site in Rivers State on Monday.

A Dutch energy firm, Energy Ventures B.V has commenced moves to end gas flaring in Rivers State and converting the wastes into electricity and cooking gas. The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Okibe, disclosed this during an inspection of the project site at Agbada 2 in Igwuruta, outskirts of Port Harrcourt, Rivers State, and a visit to the headquarters of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company on Monday. Okibe, who led a delegation comprising the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Govert Rietema, and Chief Commercial Officer, Yvonne te Wierik-Chioke, said the project was designed to harness about 5 million standard cubic feet of gas per day currently being flared from the area. The gas, he said, would be converted into electricity or Liquefied Petroleum Gas for distribution to consumers in communities around the project. Okibe stated, “What we are trying to do is to convert waste gas to sustainable energy for customers who have been underserved in these areas.”See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google He said the Agbada project is being developed by Africa Gas Technology Company Limited, the Nigerian subsidiary of Energy Ventures, and is intended to serve as a pilot for similar projects in Nigeria and other gas-flaring regions across the world. Okibe further said the project was particularly significant because gas had been flared in the area for more than six decades, with consequences for the environment and public health. “This has been flared in this region for over 60 years. That is 60 years of polluting the environment, causing sicknesses and respiratory problems. What we are doing is a small step to correct that,” he said. He stated that Nigeria had more than 100 locations where significant quantities of gas were being wasted through flaring, describing the country’s gas-flaring challenge as part of a wider global problem. TCN repairs four vandalised power lines in Rivers Rivers Assembly, varsity lawyer clash over N28bn funds PIA: Foundation, NUPRC seek sustained reforms for host communities “Nigeria is not unique to this problem. It is actually the seventh-highest gas flaring country,” Okibe said. The Energy Ventures chief said the company hoped that the Agbada project would demonstrate the technical and economic viability of converting flare gas into energy. “We hope that this first project will be an example as a pilot to demonstrate both the technical and economic viability. Once that is proven, it will be the first of many other projects, not just in Nigeria but also around the world,” he stated. Okibe, said the project, which would cost tens of millions of dollars, was being supported through a combination of private and public-sector funding. He commended the Federal Government for its efforts to curb gas flaring through regulatory measures and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act. Okibe said the project had already completed its Environmental Impact Assessment, while regulatory approval had also been obtained from the relevant midstream and downstream authorities. He disclosed that the visit to the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company was aimed at advancing the electricity-distribution component of the project. “With our visit today to PHED, we have gotten green light from the board to engage the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to get the permit to go ahead with the project,” he said. On the project’s construction status, Okibe said preliminary work had commenced with the fencing of the project location, adding that full construction would begin after the necessary permit to construct was obtained. Dennis Naku Dennis Naku is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with approximately 19 years of professional experience. He has previously worked with Champion Newspapers and National Mirror Newspaper, reporting across multiple beats. His work reflects extensive newsroom experience and a commitment to professional journalism practice.

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.