Rivers

Capacity Training’ll Boost Nigeria’s Economy – CRFFN

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2022

The Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) has said that capacity building training on improving Nigeria’s competitiveness through logistics performance will boost the economy of Rivers State and the country at large . The Director, Education and Training for the council, Mr Alban Igwe disclosed this during a three-day training for freight forwarders held in Port Harcourt ,over the weekend . Igwe said the training, with the theme “Capacity Building Training on Improving Nigeria’s Competitiveness through Logistics Performance, is aimed at increasing Nigeria’s competitiveness in doing business with the world.
According to Igwe, countries in the world are rated on the bases of logistics performances which is a metric developed by world bank and in use since 2007 till 2018 when Nigeria ranked 110th of 160 countries.
“Some countries in West Africa like Benin Republic, ranked 76, while Ghana is 106. We are supposed to be the giant of Africa and West Africa but we ranked low, so the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders thought that the issue must be addressed.
“We commend the Senate and the National Assembly for approving that training should be conducted to improve the capacity of freight forwarders in managing logistics.
“When we talk about Logistics Performance Index (LPI), freight forwarders are the key drivers because their business is international to facilitate cargo that importers and exporters generate,” he stated.
He disclosed that the training was being conducted in Port Harcourt for South-South, Enugu for South-East, Kano for North and Lagos for South-West simultaneously. He added that the training is to create understanding of what freight forwarders need to do to improve Nigeria’s competitiveness.
“This training will improve cargo integrity not to disturb the supply chain. It will improve the business through digitization, and address code of ethics and practices to move as it is with the international body in a service-driven economy,” he said.
Also speaking , the Eastern Zonal Secretary of the Association of Nigerian License Customs Agents, Mr Joshua Ahuama, commended the facilitators of the training, saying that the training is more on practical and professional.

Ahuama outlined some of the benefits of the training as repositioning freight forwarders in the country in terms of doing business with the international communities, digitalization of their businesses and boosting the rank of Nigeria in the logistics performance index.

In his own contribution ,Chidi Opara, a member of Freight Forward Consultative Forum, stated that the training is more professional than any diploma programme because it dealt specifically with issues touching the technical aspects of their businesses.

Opara assured that members would be able to maintain cargo integrity and know the right thing to do in the field in other not to put the country in jeopardy.

“We urge the facilitators to also take the training to all the states where freight forwarders operate. They should also give it wide publicity in future,” he stated.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Expert Demands Full Implementation Of PIA In N’Delta Oil Communities

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

An expert in Natural Resource Governance, Dr. Mike Uzoigwe, has called for the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the development of oil communities in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

Uzoigwe made the appeal during a training for community representatives under the Host Community Development Trust (HCDT), held in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

He noted that five years after the PIA was enacted, funding under the HCDT framework for member communities had yet to be fully implemented.

He attributed the slow pace of implementation to oil companies’ failure to remit funds, ongoing litigations, internal community disputes, and regulatory challenges, among other factors.

According to him, these challenges have made it difficult to properly assess the effectiveness of HCDT implementation in host communities.

Uzoigwe also expressed concern that several communities were yet to establish HCDTs, which are essential for accessing funds designated for local development.

“Fortunately, there are communities that have successfully leveraged the HCDT to advance development in their localities.

“However, we want every host community to access these funds to accelerate development in their respective areas and contribute to the broader transformation of the Niger Delta”, he stated.

Uzoigwe urged host communities to familiarise themselves with the provisions and regulations of the PIA to enable them to fully benefit from the Act.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Kebetkache Development and Resource Centre, Dr. Emem Okon, explained that the training was organised for HCDT communities in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, and Rivers States.

According to her, the objective of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the PIA’s provisions, conduct needs assessments and undertake community development planning.

“We examined how the HCDT can be made effective and efficient in utilising the three per cent operational cost allocation for community development projects, as stipulated in the PIA.

“This allocation is structured as follows: 75 per cent for project execution, 20 per cent for savings, and five per cent for administrative costs.

“HCDT members are responsible for identifying and prioritising community needs through a transparent, sincere, and people-centred decision-making process in managing these funds”, Okon explained.

She encouraged host communities to engage actively with various stakeholders, including women, youth, farmers, and community leaders, to identify development projects that reflect the genuine needs of their communities.

Rivers

Opobo/Nkoro SOLAD Pledges To Prioritise Workers’ Welfare

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Sole Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, says he will run an all-inclusive government for the betterment of the local government.

He stated that his priority is workers’ welfare in all ramifications and the good people of the area.

Apiafi stated this recently while addressing workers at the council’s headquarters in Opobo, saying that his direct mandate is to ensure that the existing peace is sustained.

According to him, he is a technocrat, hence he will carry out his functions accordingly.

“Thank you all for welcoming me as your administrator. My mandate here is to ensure that you, workers, are well treated, with your salaries paid promptly, and give you what you deserve.

“You all are my brothers, sisters and friends. I know that together we can take this local government to an enviable height. What I need from you is cooperation.

“I solicit for your support to enable us all succeed because I alone cannot achieve the desired development”, he urged.

The administrator used the forum to thank the Sole Administrator of the State, Vice – Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.) for giving him the opportunity to serve his people and pledged that he will not disappoint him in any aspect, while promising to discharge his duties in strict compliance to the charge of the Sole Administrator.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in the LGA, Comrade Diri Dandison, commended the administrator for placing workers’ welfare top on his list.

According to him, what workers want in the LGA is someone who can give them listening ears, and also give them what they deserve.

“I am happy that Mr. Fredrick Apiafi has placed welfare of workers first, but we pray he fullfills his promises. What we want is for people at the grassroots to also enjoy dividends of governance”, he said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso

Rivers

Navy Saves 99 Persons From Drowning In Rivers

Published

4 days ago

May 12, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Navy Rescue Team from Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER have saved 99 persons from drowning in Rivers State during an operation.

A statement by the Director of Naval Information, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu, in Port Harcourt, said the incident occurred when a barge, ADAM (Damen Buba) was involved in a head-on collision with a market boat en route Akuku Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State, resulting in significant structural damage to the market boat.

He said the Nigerian Navy Ship PATHFINDER personnel deployed to Naval Security Station 035 in collaboration with four other Navy Gunboats launched a coordinated and effective search and rescue operation, saving all 99 passengers onboard.

According to him, most of the passengers’ goods were also salvaged successfully.

“The timely intervention and prompt response of Nigerian Navy personnel ensured that no lives were lost and most of the valuable properties were preserved.

“The Nigerian Navy hereby restates that under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the service will continue to ensure the security and safety of all legitimate sea farers within Nigeria’s maritime domain”, Adams Aliu said.

By: Theresa Frederick, Charity Amiso