The group executive director, Business Development, Shafa Holding Limited, Mallam Musa Yahaya, on Friday, applauded the federal government for approving Executive Order Five that enabled the Armed Forces to go into business partnerships with reputable indigenous business concerns.
Yahaya disclosed this at the commissioning ceremonies of Admiralty/Shafa Gas Plant and Admiralty Mart/Bakery which were held at Navy Town, Ojo, Lagos.
He also disclosed that the firm was happy to go into partnership with the Nigerian Navy.
He said: “I would like to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for approving Executive Order Five which enabled the Armed Forces to go into business partnerships with reputable indigenous business concerns.”
Yahaya said, Shafa was one of the best known companies for being very liberal with its pricing alluding that the integrity of their pumps in fuel stations could speak for them.
“LPG is a deregulated product in the country worldwide. Our LPG, which is number one, is not only about our liberal price but also the best quality of products that we bring to the table.
“You pay for what you want and you get the right quantity and the best quality of LPG purchased,” he said.
“So also the LPG, number one, it’s not only about the price. You pay for the quantity and you get the right quantity and the best quality and that’s what we’re bringing on the table. And with regards to price itself, it is determined by the forces of demand and supply. Some of these things are outside our control because there is the angle of importation.
“We are working with the federal government to see how we can domesticate the production of LPG from LNG. That way we can drive the prices down. However, given all these challenges, we are one of the best in pricing in the country,” he noted.
However, the chief of naval staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, said Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a basic commodity used by Nigerian Navy personnel in the barracks for cooking and domestic usage.
The CNS was represented by the Group managing director, Nigerian Navy Holdings Limited, Rear Adm. Hamza Kaoje, requested for Shafa Holding Limited to consider retired Nigerian Navy officers or their wards for employment and the management of their gas plant.
“However, recently there have been several incidents of domestic gas explosions caused by adulterated LPG due to increased cost of product. Therefore, the Admiralty Shafa Gas Plant is designed to provide clean and affordable cooking gas to the residents of the barracks and the environs.
“In order to enhance safety of personnel, a 225 metric tons gas plant was made available in a part of Navy Town which was formerly used as a mechanic village,” he said.
The CNS said the newly constructed LPG plant project was a build- own- operate and transfer business model which would enable personnel procure unadulterated and affordable gas without leaving the barracks.
“This model allows the developer to build and operate the project within an agreed period while the Admiralty Exchange Limited retains full ownership of the land.
“At the end of the tenement, the property will revert to the Admiralty Exchange Limited,” he said.
In addition, the CNS said the project would generate employment and also enlarge the commercial asset base of Admiralty Exchange Limited.
“It is expedient to note that the model is practised by other sister services in the country.
“The developers timely completion of the project with the highest level of safety standard, due diligence, ethical compliance and corporate responsibility is worthy of commendation,” he said.
“Some of us have good retired officers that were in the logistics and other departments that can handle the maintenance of the gas plant.
“We also have graduates among some of our children who are technically biassed. They can also be employed to work here,” he stressed..
Ogalla also extended a continuous partnership with Shafa Holding Limited to replicate the gas plant in other Nigerian Navy barracks including Calabar, Port-Harcourt , Abuja, among other areas in the country.