Group Rebrands, Charts Pathway To Energy Transition

Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN) has unveiled a new energy strategic pathway that will support carbon emissions reduction in line with the federal government’s initiative as enshrined in COP28 commitment.

The new strategies align with the association’s rebranding from MOMAN to MEMAN, which was unveiled in Lagos yesterday.

Speaking on the initiative, the managing director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited  Retail, Mr. Huub Stokman, explained that, the rebranding of the association is in line with its new strategic pathway towards launching the body into providing services along energy transition focusing essentially in solar energy, liquified petroleum gas, compressed natural gas at various members outlets.

Stokman reiterated the association’s support to Nigeria’s energy transition plan and efforts of the federal government to actualise its net zero carbon emission. target by 2060, saying, the initiative will support MEMAN’s  training for its members to improve efficiency and safety in the petroleum downstream sector operations.

He said his members are committed to the energy transition and the sustainable decarbonisation of its respective businesses. As a collective, we have embarked on several impactful initiatives and projects that signal that commitment to cleaner energy, he said.

Also speaking, the Authority chief executive officer(CEO) of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, assured the Authority’s commitment to ensure Nigeria keys into the global energy transition plan, as the strategy is constantly evolving, driven by advancement in technology.

Ahmed, who was represented by director in the agency, Mustapha Lamorde, described MOMAN’s transition from an oil and gas association to an energy association, as strategic as it clearly depicts that the constituents of the association are conscious of energy transition and environment sustainability.

He noted that the energy sector in Nigeria must evolve from business as usual or risk falling behind in the transition to net-zero carbon emissions.

The Authority chief executive, however, noted that, in the transition exercise, the sector and the country is faced with energy poverty, old and insufficient infrastructures, growing energy demand and industrialisation, a vibrant young population, few energy sources, among others.

“Despite that MOMAN has been a leader in the Nigerian oil and gas industry for decades, their members have powered homes, fueled industries, and propelled our economy. Now they have seen a Nigeria that is changing. Climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a present reality.” he stressed, adding that the need for clean, sustainable energy has never been more urgent.

According to him, MEMAN is not just adapting to this change – they are embracing it as they are not just responding to the regulator’s call for sustainability – they are leading it but  are transitioning their members to a commitment for the good of all.

On the part of the regulator, Ahmed said: “the agency is committed to promoting economic and social development through sustainable energy, and from its perspective, this transition from MOMAN to MEMAN is not just about changing the name or logo but is about changing our mindset, our operations, and our impact on Nigeria and the world as well as investing in renewable energy sources, reducing our carbon footprint, and promoting energy efficiency.”

He further said, the association is also looking at ensuring that businesses not only power Nigeria today, but also preserve Nigeria for tomorrow which will entail setting clear measurable goals related to renewable energy production, carbon emissions, and energy efficiency that should regularly be tracked and reported on these metrics to us to ensure transparency and accountability.

He further pointed out that, as the country embarks on this sustainability journey, it is important to understand the challenges that lie ahead as well as identify opportunities that await us as a nation.

“We are excited about the innovations we at NMDPRA are championing in the sustainability and energy transition space, and we are in tandem with an industry that has greatly evolved with time,” he said.