Port Harcourt — Having considered all sides of the matter and the hoopla on the declaration of Port Harcourt as Nigeria’s Premier Energy City by the Society of Energy Editors, I hereby determine that there is no news to report on this matter. The news is rather why it took so long for this mark to manifest. The evidence for my determination is clearer than daylight.
Here is a city that superintended Nigeria’s first oil find at Oloibiri, exports at Bonny and the country’s premier refinery. Today, in fact, way back yesterday, the city, in addition to what it has been noted for, hosts or superintends another refinery, the NLNG, the Indorama-operated Eleme Petrochemicals Refinery, four power generating plants and is Nigeria’s gateway to global energy and commerce by air and sea.
If this city has not been Nigeria’s Premier Energy City, who else is better qualified? The Society of Energy Editors (SEE) has answered the question with a bold assertion. And even as obvious as the development seems to be, this should not dampen the significance of the step by the SEE and the warm embrace by the Ibas administration.
The origins of Port Harcourt are both colonial and commercial. It emerged from farm lands in 1912 for a port to export coal which was mined more than 200 kilometres away in Enugu. The territory was named Port Harcourt after Lewis Harcourt, the then UK Secretary of State for Colonies. In the 1950s, Port Harcourt transited from a port for coal exports to oil city when a survey team from Shell arrived from an unsuccessful search for oil in Owerri. They went further afield and found oil at Oloibiri. Shell promptly set up its headquarters in Port Harcourt and, as we know, the rest is history.
Port Harcourt has been the oil hub of Nigeria, and the security crisis in 2006 which forced some companies to relocate was but a minor bleep. The companies moved, but the oil and gas remained, so they’re returning as ambitious independents. The move by the SEE means the golden days are beckoning on the hub in almost 70 years since the first Shell team set their feet on the farmland.
The SEE is well positioned to make the declaration. Membership of the body clock a combined work experience of over 450 years, and currently spread across the USA, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Congo DR, and of course, Nigeria. They report energy, ranging from oil and gas and renewables to policy and market sentiments.
The chairman, Yakubu Lawal hit the nail on the head when he said: “Considering our years of experience providing media coverage of this captive industry, may we state with all the emphasis we can muster that there is no group better qualified to so designate Port Harcourt as Nigeria’s Premier Energy City.” Alhaji Yakubu was speaking as he led a team from SEE to a meeting with the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (RTD) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas on August 4, to formally inform the Government of the recognition.
“Your Excellency, almost 70 years ago, history was made in these Niger Delta lands. Today, we stand ready to make history again – not just as Nigeria’s energy past, but as Africa’s energy future,” he said. The Administrator was pleased with the gesture as it fits in well with his efforts to restore peace and security in Rivers State and project Port Harcourt as a safe and steady base for oil and gas operations and investments.
Ibas issued stirring calls on the historic recognition. “To the Society of Energy Editors, I say: Let us make history together. Your platforms are critical in shaping the global perception of Port Harcourt as a city of resilience, innovation, and boundless potential. To our private sector partners, I extend an open invitation: Invest in a city ready to lead Africa’s energy future. And to the people of Rivers State, this recognition is your victory a testament to your resilience and a promise of greater opportunities for all.”
As we await the formal investiture ceremony, the Government and people of Rivers State can take pride in how far they’ve travelled on the path to restoration. At the meeting, both the Rivers State Government and SEE resolved to pursue the readmission of Port Harcourt into the World Energy Cities Partnership (WECP) soon after the investiture. Port Harcourt was once counted among this prestigious alliance of leading energy cities, but somehow dropped out, and lost access to strategic partnerships with members such as Houston, Aberdeen, Calgary, Doha, Perth and Cape Town.
Rejoining the WECP will mean Port Harcourt has returned to the global stage. Indeed, the golden days beckon on Nigeria’s Premier Energy City.
