Business
UTM Offshore CEO, Julius Rone, Others to Speak at AEW2024
The Chief Executive Officer of UTM Offshore, Mr. Julius Rone, will join others from across the globe to speak at the African Energy Week, AEW, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.
The event, slated for November 4-8, has as theme: “Invest in African Energy conference.” Rone will provide a project update on the planned FLNG facility, detailing the role floating liquefaction plays in Africa and the project’s impact on the Nigerian energy industry.
In addition to his participation in panel discussions, Rone’s engagement with global and regional stakeholders will open new pathways for collaboration across the gas industry.
He will also unpack the role FLNG plays in enhancing fuel security, strengthening revenue generation while facilitating a transition to a clean, gas-based energy future in Africa.
UTM Offshore plans to make FID on its Nigerian FLNG facility in 2024. The company signed a Heads of Agreement with Nigeria’s state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) in 2023, laying out the terms of the NNPC’s 20% equity contribution to the project.
Set for completion by 2026, the FLNG facility features an integrated model that prioritizes both exports and the domestic utilization of gas resources.
In addition to equity terms, the NNPC agreement outlines a pathway for ensuring LPG is produced for the domestic market. As such, the project is expected to enhance domestic fuel security while reducing the reliance on wood-fired fuel solutions.
In addition to energy supplies, the UTM Offshore-FLNG project serves as an important infrastructure solution that aligns with the country’s energy transition goals. The project aims to monetize currently-flared gas resources from the offshore Yoho Field, producing LNG, LPG and condensate.
As such, the facility not only unlocks a new energy source through the monetization of flared gas but reduces the Yoho Field’s greenhouse gas emissions in line with environmental targets.
Meanwhile, the FLNG project goes beyond energy and environmental benefits to create tangible opportunities for local business and communities. The project is estimated to provide up to 3,000 direct employment opportunities and 4,000 indirect employment opportunities, while LPG supplies are anticipated to reduce the cost of cooking gas in the country.
Beyond the FLNG project, UTM Offshore specializes in the sale and purchase of Nigerian crude oil; marine logistics and support services; product pipeline services; and dredging services.
Key projects spearheaded by UTM Offshore include the construction of a floating barrier in Lagos, Nigeria to improve security and marine logistics; the dredging of engineering and drilling company Saipem’s third jetty in the Port Harcourt Base; security patrol services to major IOCs in Nigeria, and more.
Also, UTM Offshore is advancing to the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation and Commissioning phase of its FLNG project in Nigeria
The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has dismissed allegations that it appropriated the Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) brand, insisting it lawfully obtained trademark acceptance for the name and will proceed with its 2026 summit as scheduled.
In a statement issued on September 12, 2026, the chamber described claims by Kunle Nwiwa Junior as “cheap blackmail, misleading, mischievous and a misrepresentation of the facts,” maintaining that it independently developed the summit and followed all required regulatory procedures.
According to NDCCITMA, it applied for and received a Trademark Acceptance Letter for the name Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit (NDEIS) in August 2025 under File No. NG/TM/O/2025/387284.
The chamber said the chronology of events contradicts allegations that it copied another party’s application, arguing that its trademark acceptance predated the period during which Nwiwa’s own application was reportedly still pending before the relevant authorities.
“Economic Summit” is a generic expression
NDCCITMA further argued that the phrase “Economic Summit” is a generic description widely used for conferences that bring together governments, investors, businesses, development institutions and other stakeholders to discuss investment and economic development.
The chamber maintained that while concepts may be widely used, legal protection only arises from recognised intellectual property rights, including duly registered trademarks and other enforceable proprietary interests.
It therefore rejected suggestions that any individual or organisation has exclusive ownership of the broader concept of an economic summit.
Court grants interim injunction
Addressing reports that the summit had been halted, NDCCITMA said the dispute is already before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt and that there is no court order restraining the event.
The chamber disclosed that in Suit No. FHC/PHC/CS/57/2026, Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants—Kunle Nwiwa Junior and Keneva Consult Ltd.—from interfering with the planned summit.
According to NDCCITMA, the court also directed the defendants to remove publications, notices, petitions, social media posts and other statements allegedly considered damaging to the chamber’s name, integrity and reputation pending the hearing of its motion for interlocutory injunction.
The matter has been adjourned until September 22, 2026 for further hearing.
Chamber rejects ₦500 million demand claim
NDCCITMA also alleged that it had received a demand from Nwiwa Junior requesting ₦500 million as a condition for abandoning his claims over the summit.
The chamber said the demand was rejected, adding that it subsequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over what it described as repeated harassment and threats directed at its officials.
It said the petition sought police intervention, including inviting the complainant for questioning and caution where necessary.
Summit opens September 15
Despite the legal dispute, NDCCITMA reaffirmed that the 2026 Niger Delta Economic & Investment Summit will hold from September 15 to 17, 2026, at the Obi Wali Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit will be held under the theme “Driving Investment, Innovation & Industrial Growth in the Niger Delta” and is expected to bring together policymakers, investors, business leaders, development partners and industry stakeholders to discuss economic transformation across the region.
The chamber said it remains committed to promoting commerce, industry, trade, mining, agriculture and sustainable economic development throughout the Niger Delta while allowing the courts to determine all outstanding legal issues.
Tinubu Niger Delta summit opens in Port Harcourt as investors and policymakers gather to drive investment, innovation and industrial growth
-
Politics3 years ago
13 Ondo Assembly Members Disown Endorsement of Aiyedatiwa
-
Politics2 years ago
APC Group, Ondo Govt, Quarrel Over Money for Endorsement
-
Trending News5 years agoStop unsavoury, inciting statements – DSS warns
-
Others5 years agoAdron Homes Celebrates 10 Years Of Housing Excellence
-
Humanity5 years agoPresident Buhari Commiserates With Ambassador Maureen Tamuno Over The Loss Of Her Father
-
Others7 years agoEX- CUSTOMS BOSS, IBRAHIM MERA’S DWINDLING FAME
-
Business2 years agoBigi Carbonated Soft Drinks Treats 40 Consumers to an Epic Easter Movie Hangout
-
Business2 years agoWema Bank Shines at Global SME Finance Forum Conference Awards 2024 …Awarded: • SME Financier of the Year (Africa) • Platinum Award for Best Financier for Women Entrepreneurs (Africa)