Business
‘NPA Cargo Throughput Up By 2.6% In 2013’
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said that the cargo throughput at the ports rose by 2.6 per cent to 19.8 million tonnes in the third quarter of 2013.
The Assistant General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, Mr Musa Iliya, told newsmen in Lagos that the ports recorded a cargo throughput of 19.3 million tonnes in the corresponding period of 2012.
He said that the increase in cargo throughput was achieved through continuous dredging activities by the Lagos Channel Management and Bonny Channel Management.
“Most of our ports in Lagos and in the Eastern parts of the country recorded a high gross, quite an increase in the gross tonnage of ships that arrived in the areas concerned.
“This was done due to the dredging activities that were undertaken by the Lagos Channel Management and the Bonny Channel Management.
“From 2006 to date, the Lagos Channel Management recorded 53.5 million metres and that has attracted a lot of bigger ships coming to the Lagos channel. It is the same for the East, which is done by the Bonny Channel Management.
“We have a responsibility, especially for the general areas. Each terminal operator has his own security network and we work together. With that, we also have the Port Police Command.
“We work together to make sure that security is beefed up at our ports. Like the terminal operators, they have their own security and they have been able to check influx of unwanted persons into the terminal.
“They (terminal operators) have also developed the standard of security to meet up the ISPS Code which is required by the International Maritime Organisation.
“If you go to the port today, especially the Lagos and the Tin Can Island ports that are operating in Lagos, you can see that the influx of people have been reduced to the barest minimum because new standards have been introduced.
“We have a gate control system that is recently introduced. So is only those that have genuine business to do in the ports that are allowed to go in.”
The assistant general manager said that containerised cargo throughput handled in the period under review was 3.5 million tonnes; while the ports handled Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) totalling 4.8 million tonnes.
He said that the refined petroleum handled in the period under review was 4.8 million tonnes, representing an increase of 24 per cent over 3.8 million tonnes recorded in the corresponding period of 2012.
The spokesman said that 76,598 units of vehicles were handled in the third quarter of 2013, an increase of 13 per cent over 67,804 units recorded in the same period of 2012.
According to Iliya, dry bulk cargo handled at the ports in the third quarter of 2013 was 2.5 million tonnes.
He said that the general cargo handled at the ports in the period under review was 2.9 million tonnes, representing a decline of 16 per cent over 3.4 million tonnes recorded in 2012.
He said that from January 2013 till date, NPA had experienced about 115 per cent growth.
The spokesman, however, said that the improvements in cargo throughput were being sustained as reflected by the parameters.
Iliya said that the consistent efforts of NPA at fulfilling its obligations with the terminal operators would create the enabling environment.
He said that the Federal Government would further encourage investors’ confidence in the ports.
Kolomoni Microfinance Bank has awarded grants to five female entrepreneurs to boost their businesses as part of its commitment to promoting women in business.
The initiative, organized to mark International Women’s Day, was themed “Accelerate Her Growth.”
According to the bank, the decision to support women was inspired by World Bank data, which shows that 41 percent of Nigeria’s micro-businesses are owned by women.
Delivering the keynote address, business strategist, Ebun Akinwale, emphasized that entrepreneurship requires resilience, creativity, and passion.
She illustrated this by recounting her own business challenges and highlighting the critical role passion plays in overcoming obstacles.
The event underscored Kolomoni’s mission to empower women and support small businesses in Nigeria.
Other speakers at the occasion were Odunayo Oyebolu, a seasoned entrepreneur; Victori Ajiboye, a marketing strategist with global experience; and Simi Ojumu, a finance expert.
The beneficiaries said the financial support was a validation of their hard work and a boost of confidence towards scaling through in their businesses.
The winners were selected after sharing their entrepreneurial journeys and presenting business proposals for financial assistance from the bank.
The 8th edition of the Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Summit and Awards (Nigeria SMEAwards) is set to take place in Lagos for the first time in its history, marking a significant milestone for this prestigious event.
Endorsed by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), the annual awards celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit driving Nigeria’s economy.
The visionary convener of NigeriaSMEAwards 2025, Adedayo Olalekan, said, “Governors from Zamfara, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Enugu, Ekiti, Benue, and Kaduna States have all implemented transformative initiatives that have greatly benefitted local enterprises.
“Their contributions will serve as a beacon of inspiration for the nation.”
Speaking at a recent press conference in Lagos, Olalekan emphasised that the event would introduce a fresh and unique approach, moving away from tradition.
“Despite economic challenges, Nigerians continue to show an unwavering commitment to progress”, he said.
He noted that the awards will not only honor outstanding individuals, but also recognise the critical role state governments play in nurturing vibrant SMEs.
“State governments have been instrumental in fostering a supportive environment for SMEs, which in turn benefits both the awardees and the larger economy.
“With major banks like Providus, Access, and First Banks competing for top honors, the 8th NigeriaSMEAwards promises to be a night of celebration, recognising exceptional contributions to Nigeria’s SME landscape”, Olalekan added.
Amid global challenges such as inflation, geopolitical instability, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Nigerians continue to show remarkable resilience.
Their efforts, according to reports, have contributed to job creation, economic growth, and overall prosperity, with SMEs at the forefront of this success.
This year’s awards will recognise governors who have made significant strides in advancing the SME sector within their states.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) consultants in Rivers State have called on entrepreneurs to be focused and avoid distractions.
The experts, who were speaking on the recent developments about the change of leadership in the state, said entrepreneurs need to put more efforts in their businesses in order to break even in the present situation in Rivers State.
Speaking in a chat with The Tide, an international SMEs consultant, Amb. Larry Goodwill Ajiola, said the political moves is capable of distracting SMEs who are not grounded in their businesses, adding that “the serious minded business men and women would utilise the opportunity to increase their revenues”.
Amb Ajiola, who is the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rumuomasi Co-operative and Credit Society Limited, Port Harcourt, said, “Rugged entrepreneurs look out for business opportunities in situations around them, whether good or bad”.
He reiterated that the loan facility given to 3,000 SMEs in the state revived and expanded businesses, adding that the empowered businesses should continue to push, no matter the situation.
“credit is a powerful tool for achieving financial security.
“We can only keep imagin the economic value that the over 3,000 MSMEs would add to the positive economic dynamics of Rivers State and the Local Government Areas in terms of Gross Domestic Prooduct (GDP), increased tax returns, employment creation, income distribution, and production of goods and services”, he said.
Another SMEs Expert, a business consultant and SMEs trainer, Mr. Chisom Sam-Orji, in his advice, noted that every SME in the state should realize that change is the only constant thing.
He said SMEs should also know that “tough times never last, but tough people do”, adding the need for every entrepreneur to stay focused on creating value and remain resilient.
“This is not the time to be distracted by every noise around your space, but to maximize every time you have to focus on the essentials and keep creating value.
“For some people, it may just be the time to diversify, create new products and services to serve a new or existing market. But this must be based on the facts available to you via research and market surveys”, he said.
The SMEs expert also said the present time in the life of an entrepreneur is a time to cut off unnecessary excesses that surround one’s business.
“Those extra costs that may hamper your growth in this season and beyond, and focus on just essentials.
“SMEs should find certain leverages that are available to aid their business growth. This could be in form of grants, knowledge, and other leverage tools.
“Collaboration is one big way to grow in this season. Finding ways to collaborate with like minds instead of competing could enable a product or service gain advantage in the market and beyond.
“They should also find ways to sustain and grow their customer relationship as this is key to sustaining business flow. They must seek new and efficient ways to serve their customers and gain their loyalty”, he stated.
He further called on every entrepreneur to keep building capacity and never take their eyes off their visions, adding the need to muster every courage it takes to keep building and moving forward.
Lilian Peters