Global energy industry invited to Calgary in 2023 for next World Petroleum Congress

 

By Kolawole Yemisi Victoria

The city’s mayor, Jyoti Gondek, invited the world to the north to meet the innovators and exchange ideas with some of the brightest minds in the energy sector at the next World Petroleum Congress.

The City of Calgary officially became the host city of the 24th edition of the global event on Wednesday evening when Houston wrapped up the four-day event at a special closing ceremony. Calgary will host the prestigious event Sept. 17–21, 2023.

Gondek said Calgary has always been a world leader in the energy industry and is now poised to be a leader in the energy transition economy.

“It has been uplifting to observe energy industry stakeholders pulling in the same direction on a path to net zero, the theme of the 2023 WPC event,” she said in the closing ceremony. “I have tremendous optimism about our future, given all of the great minds that are producing innovative ideas that will ultimately produce energy in ways that we have not yet imagined to meet the needs of our future.”

The mayor was part of the Team Canada delegation at the four-day event, which drew 5,000 participants from 70 countries featuring more than 300 speakers. Panelists included Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage, Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Bronwyn Eyre and Suncor Energy Inc.’s Mark Little, among others.

Gondek reflected on the messaging at the Houston event, which revolved around the themes of putting aside competition in the interest of collaboration, as well as the need to communicate clearly and effectively with citizens that the energy transition is a priority and one that will take time. It’s also important to ensure that incremental changes, adaptations, and transformation are well described to show progress as it occurs.

“They further spoke of the need for quick and intentional attraction of global capital — this imperative in funding and critical research and technology shifts necessary to achieve true energy transformations,” said Gondek. “In short, all of us agree that transition and transformation is our collective task. And that work starts right now.”

Throughout the conference the delegates heard that Houston was the energy capital of the world.

Savage noted in her closing remarks that Calgary is the “the energy capital of Canada.” She said WPC 24 will showcase that the province is a leader in the energy sector — not only with oil and gas but the emerging sources of energy including hydrogen, petrochemicals, geothermal, and all of the sources of energy that are going to be entering the global energy mix as the world moves forward.

Michael Hampton, president of the WPC organizing committee, said bringing the event to Houston was a long time coming as the bidding on this event more than 10 years ago.

“We had to work through many difficult issues through COVID and everything that we’ve been facing over the past number of months and, frankly, years,” he said. “To have success like we’ve been able to do this week with 5,000 registered attendees from 70 countries and 300 speakers is truly an incredible achievement that we’re very proud of.”

 The mayor of Houston, Sylvester Turner, added the teams were able to show a successful and safe event can be done despite the ongoing pandemic. Turner also reflected on the discussions around the future course for the energy sector, innovation and energy solutions.

“We have acknowledged that the energy transition is here, and it is on us to lead,” said Turner. “And I heard this week from many of our energy executives, the industry needs to better tell their story about powering the world while being a critical and fundamental part of reducing the emissions to take on climate change. The story about leading the energy transition is very much real and again, simply, [I] want to echo the remarks by [others]. I sincerely hope that we can continue to mutually advance this conversation.”

David Woodward, executive director of the meetings and conventions team at Tourism Calgary, said they are excited to welcome the world and to celebrate the industry in 2023.

“With the many delegates that will join us in 2023, the Congress will bring tremendous economic impact to the City of Calgary and at a time where, following the pandemic, we are in a time of recovery,” he said. “We’re looking forward to hosting all the delegates and sharing our western hospitality with the World Petroleum Congress.”

Calgary police to bolster resources for World Petroleum Congress

 

By Olaborede Olugbenga Israel

A group of protesting dinosaurs confront a line of Calgary police officers in front of the PetroCanada offices in downtown Calgary. 

They were part of a day-long protest march that moved around downtown Calgary and ended up at Memorial Park.

Protesters give police an earful during the 2000 World Petroleum Congress in Calgary. Postmedia archive photo

The Calgary Police Service is set to bolster its resources for the World Petroleum Congress that’s slated to come to Calgary in September.

Presenting to the Calgary police commission on Wednesday, police said the global oil and gas industry event is expected to draw somewhere around 15,000 people to the city and has the potential to draw large protests and demonstrations. As such, CPS is planning to increase its presence throughout that week, as well as draw law enforcement supports from agencies across Western Canada.

“We have reviewed a number of previous similar events, and they have shown us that there are operational risks out there. So we’re aware of those risks and we are taking steps to address those risks,” said Jason Archibald, a business strategist with CPS. “We’re also working with other law enforcement agencies to assess the intelligence situation and to inform our operational response.”

IMF In Talks With Ivory Coast On $2.6 Billion Lending Aid

 

 

By Ebi Imisi

 

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Wednesday that it expects to reach a $2.6 billion lending agreement to assist Ivory Coast face ongoing economic challenges "in the coming days."

 

The IMF announced in a statement following a visit to the country by senior officials that Indirect and direct subsidies to curb price pressures, higher security spending, and worsening terms-of-trade amid robust domestic demand, led to a widening of macroeconomic imbalances in Ivory Coast last year.

 

In response, the Fund said it expects to finalize a staff-level agreement worth more than $2.6 billion in the coming days.

 

Wednesday's announcement comes following a request for financial assistance by the Ivoirian government.

 

The Fund's proposals, which would require approval by the IMF Executive Board, are aimed at "preserving fiscal and debt sustainability," by making a number of structural reforms to the Ivoirian economy.

 

‘‘These would include strengthening social protection for vulnerable households, improving public financial management and investment efficiency, and promoting private-sector led and more inclusive growth by creating new employment opportunities," the Fund said.

Census Critical For Development - Gov. Diri

 Inaugurates Committees On 2023 Headcount 

By Our Correspondent

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday, inaugurated two  committees to synergise with the National Population Commission (NPC) on the forthcoming national population census exercise. 

They are the Publicity/Mobilisation Committee, which has the Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei, as chairman and the Logistics/Security Committee with the Chief Security Co-ordinator of the State Community Safety Corps, Brig-Gen. Eric Angaye (rtd) as chairman. 

Governor Diri, who inaugurated the committees in Government House, Yenagoa, described population census as a critical ingredient for development hence the need for the government to plan towards a hitch-free exercise in the state.

The governor said while a new date is expected from the NPC for the conduct of the exercise, the government would leave no stone unturned to get the exact population of the state.

His words: “It is important that we know exactly who we are and how many we are. In modern times, accurate population figures is a critical ingredient for development. Even in our homes, it would be shameful for a father not to know the number of children he has. Therefore, population census is one activity that will continue as long as there is life. 

“We are gathered to inaugurate two committees in respect of the forthcoming population census in our country, which was initially slated for March 29. We need to put our house in order while we await the federal government and its agency, the NPC, to come up with a new date.

“These committees are to work hand in gloves with the National Population Commission and all those who will be here to implement the federal government population policy across the country and in particular our state.”

Other members of the Publicity/Mobilization Committee are the Commissioners for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Youth and Sports, Information, Orientation and Strategy, and their Women, Children and Social Development counterpart.

Also in the committee are the Commissioners for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs,  Special Duties for the three senatorial districts as well as the chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council and the Chief Historian and Archivist.

The committee on Logistics/Security also has the Commissioners for Transport, Special Duties (East, West and Central senatorial districts), and the Special Advisers on Security Matters.

Also in the committee are the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Commander, 16 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and the Commander, Nigeria Naval Ship (NNS) Soroh.

Others are the State Director, Department of State Services, all Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and all Heads of Local Government.

Responding on behalf of the committees, the Secretary to the State Government, Alabo Ekeuwei, pledged their support, commitment and cooperation in ensuring that the census exercise in the stated was properly conducted.

Humanitarian ministry has supported the rehabilitation, reintegration of repentant insurgents in the northeast - Farouq

 

 

By Ebi Imisi

 

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq has disclosed that the Ministry has contributed immensely to the non-kinetic strategy of managing surrendered insurgents for their rehabilitation and reintegration process in the North East.

 

The Minister made this known at the opening ceremony of the 3-Day Seminar on Rehabilitation of Repentant Insurgents in the North East, organised by the Ministry and Office of the National Security Adviser in collaboration with the Nigeria Army Resource Centre, in Abuja.

 

According to her, Food and non-food items, including starter packs, have been contributed for the rehabilitation and reintegration of the ex-combatants directly by the Ministry and some of its Agencies, NEDC, NEMA, NCFRMI.

 

Speaking through her representative, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Nasir Sani- Gwarzo, mni, NPOM, she said the Ministry recently conducted a survey on victims of terrorism with the view to identifying and providing the needed psychosocial support to the affected persons. 

 

‘‘In search of sustainable humanitarian response, the Ministry has adopted the United Nations principle of Tripple Nexus approach which provides linkages to humanitarian response that leads to development as well as peace building’’

 

Also, Farouq explained that the ministry leading other relevant MDAs and organization have developed a home-grown National Humanitarian Development Peace framework which provides a holistic response while applying area-based approach.

 

‘‘This is expected to guide all humanitarian response in Nigeria and we hope the outcome of your deliberation will align with the framework". She said.

 

The Minister stated that the insurgency in the NE has brought about untold hardship, destruction and loss of lives to the people of the North East and the 3-Day seminar is aimed among other things to examine modalities for the management of surrendered terrorist in the North East.

 

"For the Ministry, this seminar is very apt because it provides a veritable platform to share lessons learnt from various activities we have implemented in the past, identify gaps and come up with roadmap for future interventions. It all showcases a good practices of civil security relationship in providing sustainable humanitarian intervention".

 

She urged participants to take the seminar serious and give it the best attention it deserves.

 

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, in a keynote address gave an overview of the management and reintegration of surrendered Boko Haram and Islamic West Africa Province terrorists in the North East.

 

Represented by his Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brig. Gen. Sabi Ishaq, (RTD), the governor discussed the operations and activities of the insurgents and reasons for their mass surrender and how they were encouraged to drop their guns and embrace peace.

 

He stated the need for more support from the Federal government and Donor agencies towards the rehabilitation and reintegration of repentant insurgents.

 

Earlier, the Director General, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Maj. Gen. G.A Wahab (RTD), said the seminar was on handling and management of repentant insurgents in the North East.

 

Wahab stressed the need on how to manage the huge number of repentant insurgents before their reintegration into the society.

 

 

 

 

Burkina Faso: Govt Orders Immediate Closure Of 43 Artisanal Gold Mines Due To Security Concerns

 

 

By Ebi Imisi

 

The authorities of the Boucle du Mouhoun, in the northwest of Burkina Faso, have ordered the closure of 43 gold mining sites for "security reasons" as of Wednesday, in this region plagued by jihadist violence.

 

In an order published on Wednesday, Regional governor Babo Pierre Bassinga lists 43 artisanal gold mining sites in 13 communes that are closed until further notice.

 

According to a security source contacted in the region, the move was necessitated to reduce explosion on such sites.

 

"This response to the need to limit or even reduce to zero the traffic of explosives on these artisanal sites which are very often diverted to the benefit of armed terrorist groups

 

"It is also a question of drying up the sources of income of these groups, some of which hold to ransom the mining sites which are beyond the control of the state," the source said.

 

Also, the regional governor, Bassinga stated that anyone contravening the provisions of the decree will face criminal sanctions.

 

About Boucle du Mouhoun region

The Boucle du Mouhoun region, which borders Mali, is regularly hit by deadly attacks by jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda or the Islamic State.

 

Despite an official ban on artisanal gold panning, which regularly causes deadly landslides, the Burkinabe authorities are struggling to control this unregulated exploitation, carried out by more than one million people, according to official figures.

 

In early February, at least 10 people were killed when a small-scale gold mine in western Burkina Faso collapsed, according to officials of a gold miners' association.

 

A year earlier, a dynamite stockpile exploded at an artisanal gold site in western Burkina Faso, killing about 60 people.

 

With approximately 70 tons per year, the production of legal gold mines has become Burkina Faso's leading export product in a dozen years, ahead of cotton.

 

The artisanal sector generates additional annual production of about 10 tons of gold, according to the Ministry of Mines.

 

Burkina Faso, the scene of two military coups in 2022, has been caught since 2015 in a spiral of jihadist violence that began in Mali and Niger a few years earlier and has spread beyond those borders.

 

In seven years, the violence has left more than 10,000 civilians and soldiers dead, according to NGOs, and some two million people internally displaced.

I'll Address Nigerians Shortly, - Peter Obi

 

 

By Our Correspondent

 

The Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has stated that he will soon address Nigerians and the international community.

 

He made this known in a tweet on Wednesday, where he stated that his running mate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, was addressing an international press conference at the party's headquarters in Abuja.

 

Obi wrote, "Our Vice presidential candidate Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, is addressing an international press conference at the Labour Party Headquarters in Abuja.

 

"I intend to address Nigerians and the international community shortly."

 

This is coming hours after his All Progressive Congress counterpart, Bola Tinubu, was announced as the presidential election winner.