Business
Indigenous oil and gas engineering company, Kaztec, Urges Appeal Court to Set Aside Judgment on OMLs Dispute

An indigenous oil and gas engineering company, Kaztec Engineering Limited, has asked the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgment of Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha of Federal High Court Abuja, which struck out its suit filed against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, and five others regarding Oil Mining Leases (OMLs) 123, 124, 126 and 137.
Justice Maha had in her judgment delivered on December 15, 2023, struck out suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/1291/2020, filed by Kaztec Engineering Limited against the Ministry of Petroleum Resources; the Attorney General of the Federation; Mars Exploration and Production Company Ltd; the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission and the Nigerian Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Dissatisfied, Kaztec Engineering Limited in its Notice of Appeal filed by its team of lawyers, led by Jeph C. Njikonye, SAN is praying the appellate court to allow the appeal and set aside the whole decision striking out the appellant’s suit/claims.
The appellant also urged the court to invoke Sections 15 and 16 of the Court of Appeal Act and assume jurisdiction to determine its 2nd Amended Originating Summons; and resolve issues 5 endorsed on the appellant’s Amended Originating Summons filed on March 22, 2023 in its favour.
The appellant argued that the trial court erred in law when it struck out its suit on the grounds of non joinder of Salvic Petroleum Resources Ltd, stating that the law is trite that non-joinder of a party does not defeat the cause of action.
Njikonye argued that the joint award of the disputed OMLs to the appellant and Salvic Petroleum Resources Ltd. was clearly delineated to be on equity participation of Kaztec
He urged the court to hold that the appellant (Kaztec) had a distinct cause of action against the respondents to commence its suit and to seek the reliefs sought.
Besides, Njikonye argued that the trial court erred in law when it held that non production of document evidencing payment of signature bonus rendered the court incompetent to entertain the suit.
He stated that the lower court had in its rulings affirmed the appellant’s reasonable cause of action against the respondents, submitting that the appellant never sought any reliefs against Salvic Petroleum Resources Limited being not a necessary party for the determination of the appellant’s suit.
He urged the court to hold that “The appellant had locus standi to commence and maintain the action in its personal capacity, and that the non joinder of Salvic Petroleum Resources Ltd. as a party could not have defeated the Appellant’s cause of action.”
He submitted that the matter submitted to the lower court was for the interpretation of Section 2(1)(B); 12(1); Paragraph 35 Schedule 1 of the Petroleum Act; Letters of Award of Oil Mining Lease (OMLS) 123, 124, 126 and 137 dated 30th March, 2021, 7 April 2021 and 11th June, 2071 and a determination that the review of the award of the OMLs to the appellant in the circumstances of the case was wrongful.
He stated that the issue of payment of signature bonus would not arise until the award to the appellant is restored.
The appellant argued that the competence and jurisdiction of the court to determine matters in dispute between persons, government or authority is regulated by the Constitution and relevant statutes.
He submitted that there was nothing in the provisions of the Petroleum Act, any other law or Section 251 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) that made payment of signature bonus a condition precedent for the appellant to commence the suit in the circumstances of the action.
The lower court had issued an interim order directing the parties to the suit (including the Minister of Petroleum Resources and the NUPRC) to maintain the status quo in relation to the said OMLs.
However, in the judgment of the court delivered last Friday, the court held that the Originating Summons was incompetent, having failed to join a necessary party (Salvic Petroleum) to the suit. Consequently, the suit was struck out.
In effect, the appeal entered by Kaztec Engineering Ltd shall act as stay of further action on the subject matter until the appeal is finally determined.
Business
Dangote Refinery Debunks shutdown rumour, says PMS’s gantry price remains N850

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has firmly dismissed recent reports alleging a shutdown of its operations, reassuring the public and market stakeholders that its activities remain fully active and stable.
In an official statement by the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Anthony Chiejina, the refinery’s management categorically denied claims that truck loading has been suspended or that production has been interrupted. “The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is fully operational. There has been no shutdown, nor has there been any suspension of truck loading activities” the statement reads.
The refinery also clarified that the intermittent sale of Residual Catalytic Oil (RCO) is part of normal business operations, often involving large parcel sales, which explains the recent fuel oil tender.
According to the management, Dangote Petroleum Refinery consistently supplies over 40 million litres of PMS daily, alongside steady volumes of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel). These supplies continue unabated, despite speculation suggesting otherwise.
“As the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery, the facility employs advanced predictive and preventive maintenance protocols to ensure uninterrupted operations. Routine maintenance activities are standard and do not impact the overall fuel supply” the statement further clarified.
In response to speculation about potential supply shortages and price increases, the refinery challenged those sponsoring the rumour to place orders for daily deliveries of up to 40 million litres of PMS and 15 million litres of diesel for the next 90 days.
“To those who believe this misinformation and anticipate a bullish market, we extend a challenge: We invite interested buyers to place immediate orders for up to 40 million litres of PMS daily and 15 million litres of AGO daily, for the next 90 days, with full upfront payment. Should any supposed supply shortage occur, these buyers would be well-positioned to benefit from the predicted market rise,” it added.
The refinery reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and Nigeria’s energy security, urging the public to disregard unfounded rumours sponsored by unscrupulous and unpatriotic individuals seeking to undermine the country’s energy independence for their own selfish interests, including the importation of substandard fuels under the false pretext of domestic supply shortages.
Business
Ikeja Electric releases new prepaid meter prices

Ikeja Electric has released updated prices for prepaid meters, which take effect from August 6, 2025. The revised rates cover both single-phase and three-phase meter types and are inclusive of VAT.
The revised rates were announced on the disco’s official X account on Friday.
The company announced that “MBH Power Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,987.50, while the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00. Turbo Energy Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,608.75, while the three-phase costs ₦236,903.13.
“Aries Electric Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦145,125.00, and the three-phase costs ₦258,000.00. Mojec Asset Management Company Ltd’s one-phase costs ₦135,718.75, and the three-phase costs ₦226,825.00.
“Paktim Metering Nig. Ltd, the one-phase meter costs ₦137,600.00, while the three-phase meter costs ₦233,275.00. Holley Metering Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,854.03, three-phase meter costs ₦219,497.09.
“CIG Metering Assets Nigeria Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦150,500.00, New Hampshire Capital Ltd’s one-phase meter costs ₦133,300.00 and the three-phase costs ₦231,125.00.”
The electricity distribution company noted that the prices are “valid subject to meter availability,” adding that the changes are part of its effort to ensure customers have access to up-to-date information on meter procurement.
The company also assured customers that the new pricing reflects the latest approved rates for meter providers under its Meter Asset Provider scheme.
Business
Global electricity demand to keep growing robustly through 2026 despite economic headwinds – IEA
Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.

Global electricity demand is set to rise by 3.3% in 2025 and 3.7% in 2026 – more than twice as fast as total energy demand growth over the same period, the IEA’s Electricity Mid-Year Update finds.
The new report underscores the increasing demand for electricity to power factories and appliances, keep buildings cool, operate growing fleets of data centres, run electric vehicles and more.
While the latest forecasts for global electricity demand growth this year and next are a deceleration from the 4.4% surge recorded in 2024, they remain well above the 2015-2023 average of 2.6%.
Renewables are expected to overtake coal as the world’s largest source of electricity as early as 2025 or by 2026 at the latest, depending on weather and fuel price trends.
At the same time, nuclear power output is expected to reach record highs, driven by reactor restarts in Japan, robust output in the United States and France, and new additions, mostly in Asia.
The steady increase in gas-fired power generation is set to continue displacing coal and oil in the power sector in many regions.
As a result of these developments, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation are currently forecast to plateau in 2025 and record a slight decline in 2026, although weather and economic conditions could affect that trajectory.
“The growth in global electricity demand is set to remain robust through 2026, despite an uncertain economic backdrop,” said Keisuke Sadamori, IEA Director of Energy Markets and Security.
“The strong expansion of renewables and nuclear is steadily reshaping electricity markets in many regions. But this must be matched by greater investment in grids, storage and other sources of flexibility to ensure power systems can meet the growing demand securely and affordably.”
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