Business
Okowa Charges ICAN To Propel Nation’s Economic Growth
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa has charged the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to explore new corridors of national planning to propel the nation’s economic growth.
Okowa gave the charge last Friday when the 56th President of ICAN, Dame Onome Adewuyi, led members of the executive on a courtesy visit to him at the Government House, Asaba.
He paid glowing tribute to accountants for their sterling contributions to the growth and development of the nation’s economy.
He, however, challenged them and other similar professionals to enunciate plans that could save the nation from its current economic challenges.
He underscored the need for the country to begin to plan for its ever increasing population. According to him, without proper planning, rising population will continue to retard the country’s economic development and national growth.
He regretted that successive administrations at the state and federal levels had virtually become fees and salary-paying establishments.
He said the development had left most states with no money for capital development.
“And it is capital development that truly runs the economy of states and the nation,’’ Okowa said.
“The budgets of the states and Federal Government are characterised by huge recurrent expenditure in terms of salary payment, overhead, repayment and servicing of debts.
“There has to be a mix between recurrent expenditure and capital expenditure.
“If we spend all our monies on recurrent expenditure without having a reasonable amount for capital expenditure, we will not be doing any good to the state and our nation.
“The impact is not only on the states. At the level of Federal Government, it’s quite a problem. “Today, we are almost living virtually on borrowing to be able to execute capital projects.
“It’s a problem all of us have to look into and it’s something ICAN can look into and offer your advice to both the federal government and states.
“The challenge is there but there must be a process to address it gradually because if we do not do so, we will be getting to a situation where we definitely embarrass ourselves as a nation.
“We hope that we don’t get to that point in the history of this nation,” the governor said.
He expressed concern that the country was “busy everyday planning our expenditure without planning the population of the nation.
“A nation that continues to plan for its expenditutre without planning its population is a nation that is not truly planning at all.
“It’s a big problem because we are in a nation today where our economy is dwindling.
“We are not expanding the economy the way we thought we should be able to do.
“Again, the economy is growing at a very low rate and the population of the nation is growing at a very high rate.
“There is no level of planning, no matter how intelligent that person is, that he can truly plan in such a space.
“I believe that it’s something that all of us who have the knowledge of planning must speak out to let this nation know that wherever we are at the moment, there is need to begin to look very closely inward.”
Earlier, Adewuyi commended the governor for the new paradigm he introduced into the leadership and governance of the state.
She described capacity-building as the primary mandate of ICAN.
She lauded the governor for his administration’s massive investment and transformation in the education sector.
“At ICAN, our mandate is to consistently act in public interest and we collaborate with stakeholders across all sectors, whether public or private, in the promotion of accountability, transparency and good governance.
“We believe that the national resources, if adequately managed and accounted for, are sufficient to guarantee decent lives and livelihood for the over 200 million Nigerians,” Adewuyi said.
She said that ICAN had concluded plans to establish a university in order to support stakeholders in the educational value-chain at bridging the gap in tertiary education in the country.
“We plan that the specialised university will commence with postgraduate courses in social and management science.
“It will open for admission by the next academic session in September,” she said.
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The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has affirmed that it is taking strategic steps to enhance local participation and encourage investment in the maritime sector under the supervision of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
The Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, who disclosed this recently while receiving the Executive Members of the Nigerian Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to fostering a level playing field and creating an enabling environment for businesses in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
Dr. Mobereola revealed that NIMASA is deepening its collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to explore policies that will boost indigenous involvement and strengthen Nigeria’s maritime sector.
“The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy is committed to encouraging indigenous players to invest more in Nigeria’s maritime industry. Issues such as national carriers and trade terms remain top priorities under this administration.
“Our focus is to create an enabling environment where private investors can thrive. In this regard, we have initiated discussions with the NCDMB and NNPC Limited to address these critical matters”, he stated.
He said NIMASA remains committed to fostering strategic partnerships that will enhance local investment, create jobs, and drive sustainable growth in the maritime sector.
In response, Comrade John Aleakhue Okpono, Secretary General of the Merchant Navy Officers and Water Transport Senior Staff Association, emphasized the need for closer collaboration between NIMASA and the Merchant Navy.
He also urged the Agency to review waiver clauses to ensure more opportunities for Nigerian seafarers.
Stories by Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Towards enhancing safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways, the Federal Government, through the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has inaugurated a Special Committee on the Prevention of Boat Mishaps in Nigeria.
According to a statement on by the spokesman, National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Suleiman Makama, the event, which was held at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Abuja, confirmed crucial steps taken to address the recurring challenges of boat accidents across the country.
In his address, the Honourable Minister emphasized the urgent need to stem the tide of tragic boat mishaps, which have resulted in significant loss of lives and properties.
He described the country’s waterways as vital to commerce, transportation, and livelihoods, stressing that their safety and efficiency are paramount to the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.
He noted that the establishment of this committee aligns with the 2024 International World Maritime Day theme, “Navigating the Future: Safety First”.
“The task before us is daunting, but with unwavering commitment, we can eliminate boat mishaps and ensure that our waterways remain safe, navigable, and prosperous for generations to come”, Oyetola stated.
The committee comprises key stakeholders, including state government representatives, the Association of Boat Operators in Nigeria, marine safety experts, and academics.
It will be chaired by the Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, while Mr. Adams Offie, Deputy Director of Inland Waterways at the Ministry, will serve as Secretary.
The committee is tasked with conducting an in-depth review of commercial boat operations in Nigeria, identifying the root causes of boat mishaps, and proposing sustainable solutions.
In his acceptance speech on behalf of the committee, Oyebamiji assured the Minister on the dedication of members to deliver on the assignment.
He emphasized that safety on Nigeria’s inland waterways is non-negotiable, adding that NIWA, under the leadership of the Honourable Minister, has been refocused to uphold its mandate without compromise.
Acknowledging the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for his proactive leadership, Oyebamiji noted that the establishment of the committee represents a critical step in addressing the persistent safety challenges in inland water transport.
“This is another solution-driven initiative aimed at eliminating boat mishaps on our waterways. I assure you that the confidence reposed in this committee will not be misplaced.
“At NIWA, this is an opportunity for us to intensify our efforts in reducing marine accidents to the barest minimum. On behalf of my fellow committee members, we pledge to work diligently and with utmost focus on the assigned terms of reference.
“Safety on our inland waterways is non-negotiable. NIWA has been refocused to ensure the highest safety standards, and this committee will work diligently to address the causes of boat mishaps and find lasting solutions,” Oyebamiji said.
The committee has been tasked with evaluating the root causes of boat accidents and recommending lasting solutions to enhance safety and operational standards.
The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, has launched a massive clampdown on illegal dredgers operating in the State, ordering them to stop work immediately.
This exercise, which was carried out by the officials of the Ministry of Waterfront Infrastructure Development, is aimed at curbing environmental degradation and promoting sustainable development across the waterfront schemes located across the coastal regions of the metropolis.
According to a statement, the enforcement operation, led by the Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Ekundayo Alebiosu, alongside members of his team, raided several illegal dredging sites which were subsequently shut down by the officials of the Ministry.
Some suspected dredging operators were arrested and a stop-work order was served on erring dredgers for non-compliance with laid-down regulations of the State Government.
Alebiosu warned the operators that failure to comply with extant laws guiding dredging activities could have dire effects and will result in severe penalties, including total closure of the sites.
Reacting to the claim that Dredgers are the major cause of environmental degradation in the state, including erosion and flooding, the Commissioner emphasised the need for dredging activities to be conducted lawfully to preserve roads, public infrastructure, and wetlands.
He explained that the State Government has vowed to streamline the activities of dredgers in the state to meet acceptable international standards.
“The Lagos State Government’s clampdown on illegal dredgers is a significant step towards protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in the state.
“We will continue to carry out surveillance and raids across the coastal areas to ensure that the activities of a few don’t impact the lives of law-abiding citizens negatively”, Alebiosu stated.
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