SINCE 2009, the one of the major occurrence that has become almost a recurring development in the Petroleum Sector is change in leadership. As the new helmsman Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR; Mr. Augustine Olorunsola prepares for his role as an industry regulator, Clara Nwachukwu writes that the challenges are many, as industry operators spell out their expectations to set agenda for him.

THE Public Service International, PSI, has expressed concern over military occupation of the power stations throughout the country.

THE National Assembly has asked the Ministry of Power to ensure that the outcome of the Biometric Data capturing of staff of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, should be made public.

SOME Nigerians have expressed concern over the discordant tunes from the Executive and legislative arms of government on the removal of fuel subsidy. Below are what they feel about the issue. Excerpts:

WEST African Gas Pipeline Company, WAGPCO, has revealed plans to increase its current gas distribution of 150 million standard cubic feet, scf per day, to 470 million scf/day.

THE Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative, NEITI, has lauded its efforts in ensuring transparency in the process of gathering data on revenue flows between government and the oil and gas industries.

The Federal Government has sought to explain the reason behind its recent deployment of military personnel to various power installations across the country.

The Federal Government has directed that the payment of the 50 percent salary increases should be made only to members of staff who have been verified biometrically.

The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has said that over 5000 cases of willful act of pipeline vandalism were recorded at the end of 2010 nationwide.

The National Chairman of Oil and Gas Trainers Association of Nigeria, OGTAN, Prof. Mike Onyekonwu, has said that only the proper training of Nigerian workers will guarantee local content development in the oil and gas industry.

Eight pirates boarded an oil supply vessel contracted by Chevron Corp off the Nigerian coast and took three hostages, the U.S. oil company said on Friday.

IF Nigeria intends to grow indigenous capacity to drive the oil and gas, ICT and other relevant sectors, it must focus on education of its youths today and urgently consider increased budgetary allocation to education.

As the Federal Government struggles to offload the burden of fuel subsidy, industry analysts argue that subsidy on kerosene can be relieved through conversion to the use of cooking gas. Kunle Kalejaye, assesses developments in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG sector, as the best alternative fuel.

The Lagos State Government said it plans to deliver Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG, also known as cooking gas to one million homes within the next four years.

NNPC has said that two local firms had completed the purchase of 45 per cent stakes in two onshore oil blocks, previously owned by Shell, Total and Eni .