Asharami Synergy’s Quest for Cleaner Energy, Environmental Sustainability

In its quest for cleaner energy, Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that Asharami Synergy, a leading Sahara Group Downstream Company, recently reiterated its dedication for environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s downstream operations across the sector’s value chain. At last week’s 2024 Customers Forum, it partnered the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA to educate its customers on delivering exceptional fuel solutions responsibly

In compliance with the provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 which limits the sulphur content in Gasoil/Diesel to 50ppm (parts per million), Asharami Synergy boasts of being one of the energy companies that are spearheading the quest for environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s downstream operations across the sector’s value chain.

The company has since this year commenced the supply of low sulphur fuels in line with the Afri-5 specifications prescribed by African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA), which is also in compliance with the provision of the PIA 2021.

Reiterating its commitment to promoting the adoption of cleaner fuels in the sector, Asharami Synergy, a leading Sahara Group Downstream Company, has been working in collaboration with regulatory authorities and delivering exceptional fuel solutions responsibly.

Spearheading Quest for Environmental Sustainability 

Speaking at Asharami Synergy 2024 Customer Forum last week, Managing Director, Foluso Sobanjo said the company remained dedicated to spearheading the quest for environmental sustainability in Nigeria’s downstream operations across the sector’s value chain.

Sobanjo told the company’s customers that Asharami was delighted to serve as their preferred energy solutions provider, adding that Asharami had since commenced the supply of low sulphur fuels in line with the Afri-5 specifications prescribed by African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA) and in compliance with the provision of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 which limits the sulphur content in Gasoil/Diesel to 50ppm (parts per million).

 He said: “Given our track record of transparency, integrity, and service excellence in the sector, we are using this forum to keep our esteemed customers abreast of new developments in the sector, especially the switch to the AFRI-5 low-sulphur specification which makes diesel appear lighter. 

“This does not reduce the quality or performance of the product as all parameters remain the same as specified by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).”

NMDPRA’s Stamp of Approval 

Also speaking at the forum, Engr. Oluwakayode Oyegoke, Head, Distribution System Storage Infrastructure, Lagos SW, Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), reassured the public that the new directive would help reduce pollution and promote the well-being of Nigerians.

He stated: “The NMDPRA would like to commend Asharami Synergy for providing this platform to help create more awareness and educate the buying public about the new fuel specifications. The Authority would also like to assure all stakeholders that the products in circulation meet all requirements for safety, quality, and environmental sustainability. 

“The industry is evolving, and we have to move with the world towards cleaner energy. Economically, the transition to low-Sulphur fuels can attract investment, create jobs, and reduce the country’s carbon footprint.”

In an interview afterwards, Oyegoke, emphasised the importance of reducing pollution and promoting public health through such initiatives.

He said: “When up have cleaner fuel, the environment is healthy, we have healthy living, and we are more productive.

We will spend less time on sick bed, we will spend less time treating illness, so we are able to be more productive.

“Remember I reiterated that all African countries or ECOWAS countries had agreed that we implement the AFRI-5 and so, we want to fully implement it as stated in the PIA. Henceforth, every product that comes will meet that specification of (50 Part Per Million Sulphur contents). This is because Sulphur pollutes the environment. So, with less Sulphur, we have less emission and cleaner fuel.”

Leveraging Sahara’s Global Footprint, Strategic Investment

Chief Marketing Officer, Asharami Synergy, Adeoti Onabolu, while speaking, said Asharami leverages Sahara Group’s global footprint and strategic investments to deliver exceptional fuel solutions and expand its operations across sub-Saharan Africa.

She said Asharami Synergy’s vertically integrated downstream business encompasses the entire value chain from top quality product sourcing to the final sales to the end consumers. 

“We build, own, operate, maintain, and manage multiple storage facilities across several locations to the best international standards and manage an efficient, safe, and technology-driven logistics and supply operation via vessels, trucks, pipeline and rail to ensure product integrity and safety. 

Our International Standards Organisation (ISO) certifications reinforce Asharami’s distinctive mark of service excellence, quality, safety, innovation, and environmental sustainability,” she said.

Asharami Synergy’s ISO certifications include the Quality Management System (QMS) ISO 9001:2015, Environmental Management System (EMS) ISO 14001:2015 and Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSAS) ISO 45001:2018.

Commitment to Driving Quality 

The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Adekanmi Adesola said Asharami commits to driving product quality and availability, competitive pricing, and service excellence as it continues to work with customers to co-create value responsibly.

Where Customer is King 

If the 2024 forum was anything to go by, it was obvious that Asharami Energy has been treating its teeming customers with premium service. 

At the Radisson Blu in Ikeja, Lagos, where the event held, the customers were not just fed with the necessary product information, but were also bombarded with gifts.

On the need to carry its customers along to educate them on the new cleaner fuel they were distributing, Onabolu also commended the company’s customers for their patronage, stating that “serving you is a privilege we hold dear, and your satisfaction is the ultimate success factor and motivation for us to diligently and unceasingly work towards bringing energy to your lives and businesses responsibly”.

In an interview with THISDAY after the forum, Alhaji Ismail Abodurin from El-Alan Construction Company shared insights from the customer’s perspective. 

He commended Asharami Synergy for their efforts in introducing cleaner energy solutions and highlighted the positive impact of these products on both equipment lifespan and environmental emissions. 

Another customer commended the company for enlightening them about the product, its impact of the new products in the environment as it gives no or little emissions into the environment. “The session was nice,  how I wish other products suppliers can emulate Asharami Synergy”. 

Adesola also stated that in promoting cleaner energy solutions, the forum aimed to educate participants, including clients and industry stakeholders, about the latest specifications and regulations for Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), noting that the transparent approach reflects Asharami Synergy’s commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement.

Expressing satisfaction in the positive response from customers and end-users, the MD in an interview with THISDAY afterwards, noted that informed acceptance of these changes is crucial for industry-wide progress.

He said: “Today, we decided to listen to our customers and we also decided to bring to their notice, the new development in the industry. Regarding the PIA that was passed in 2021, the inherent implementations for the product specification for diesel in our country. 

“It has been seamless, but trying to change the perception of what people were used to, was part of why we needed to have this forum where we brought the regulator, and also a qualified chemist, to come and explain to people, because people are used to a certain characteristics, color of diesel.

“The take home is that at least the customers and the end users are well informed that we are bringing energy responsibly and driving the issue of cleaner fuel in Nigeria. When the customer is well informed and accepts it, we hope that they will go and educate other people and citizens.

“We have been doing this for the last three months, bringing cleaner fuel, and our prices have been so far competitive and it won’t have a major effect on the prices,” he assured. 

As the partnership between Asharami Synergy, regulatory authorities, and customers underscores collective effort towards achieving cleaner energy and sustainable development in Nigeria’s downstream sector, it evolves the industry and paves way for economic growth, job creation, and reduced carbon emissions

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The industry is evolving, and we have to move with the world towards cleaner energy. Economically, the transition to low-Sulphur fuels can attract investment, create jobs, and reduce the country’s carbon footprint