Business
Ikorodu Boat Mishap: Private Operators Complain Of Low Patronage
Private ferry operators at
the Majidun Jetty in Ikorodu, Lagos State, have resumed operations five days after a boat mishap which left at least nine people dead.
The operators had on April 2 suspended their services following the mishap.
Divers had removed the wreckage of the boat belonging to Bell Marines Company which capsized on the Lagos Lagoon.
The Tide source who visited the jetty last Wednesday, reports that about 30 boats were securely anchored in the last five days with 18 resuming operations.
Several vehicles belonging to passengers, who had boarded the boats to Victoria Island and other destinations, were also seen at the various car parks at Majidun.
It was however, gathered from the operators that patronage had also dropped considerably following the mishap.
“For now, there is about 45 per cent patronage. We are still hoping that our regular passengers will come back.
“For example, before now, we used to ferry about 300 passengers daily, but now it has reduced to between 80 and 90 passengers,” Operations Manager, Donimo Logistics, Mrs Blessing Ikediashi, told newsmen.
Ikediashi said the company had put the necessary measures in place to guarantee passengers’ safety.
She added:“Experience, they say, is the best teacher. We have told our boat captains to reduce their speed in order to avert accident; we have told them to slow down.
“We are going to intensify regular drilling for our captains. In fact, all our captains are skilled in repairing boat propellers if and when they breakdown.”
She advised passengers to always wear the life jackets given them by boat operators, adding that some passengers were in the habit of not using the life jackets.
“Some will wear it at the jetty only to remove it mid-sea, complaining of heat.’’
Also at Metro Ferry in Ikorodu, safety instructions for passengers were on display on the notice boards.
It read in part: “Please ensure that your life jackets are fastened. In case of emergency or mishap such as accidents or any form of attack, please remain calm and listen to follow-up instructions from the captains.
“In case of boat collision leading to loss of control by the captain and eventual capsize, do not panic, open your eyes and be at alert.
“Locate the closest exit from your sitting position. There are exits at the back and front of the boat. Where you are not close enough, make use of the windows by sliding the glass apart.
“In the event of any of the cases mentioned above, you can call any of these numbers: 08093940112, 08093940289, and 08093940110.”
Mr Sakari Dekina, the Operations Manager, Metro Ferry, also advised passengers to be more vigilant while boarding a boat.
“Ensure you know the capacity of the boat before boarding, and ask about the boat’s engine capacity.
“For instance, a 200-horsepower engine is an idle engine for a 20-passenger boat.
“If you notice any water in the boat, ask questions because it can be a leakage. If it is a leakage, then the boat is not good to go on that trip,” he said.
Business
NIGCOMSAT Seeks Policy To Harness AI Potentials
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate promolgation of policy action that will enable the country to harness the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NIGCOMSAT, also warned that Nigeria risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend following her participation in the Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place”, Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly”, she added.
Idehen also noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance”, she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
Corlins Walter
Business
We Have Spent N1bn On Electrification -LG Boss
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji, has said the council has so far spent over N1 billion for the electrification of communities in the area.
Omereji said this while addressing staff of the council at the council headquarters recently.
He said the move was part of his administration’s resolve to ensure peace and development of the LGA.
According to him, the Council spent about N29 million on monthly basis for the maintenance of the Emohua Local Vigilante group known as OSPAC, with each member being paid a stipend of N100, 000 monthly.
He diaclosed that 11 out of the 14 wards are currently enjoying electricity, while efforts are on to light-up the remaining ones.
“I also want to use this opportunity to inform the political class for purposes of records and for the understanding of the people that the Council under my watch have done more than enough”, he said .
The Emolga boss explained that all that have been achieved were through the personal effort of the Council, without support from anybody as rumoured in some quarters.
Omereji further reaveled that a number of other projects, including roads, fencing of schools, hospitals, courts premises, and reconstruction of some abandoned buildings at the Council Headquarters are being undertaken by his administration.
He enjoined the people of the area to support his administration’s drive to bring purposeful development to the LGA.
The Emohua Council boss, who reiterated his hatred for noise making, stated that his works would speak for him, and solicited the support of staff of the council and the entire people of the area.
He noted the fact that some people may not be happy with his achievements, saying that he would remain focused, while advising critics of his government to do so constructively with facts and figures.
King Onunwor
Business
Ogoni Rejects NNPC-Sahara OML11 Deal … Wants FG’s Intervention
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised some ethical questions over a Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) between Sahara Energy and West African Gas Limited (WAGL), an affiliate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
MOSOP said the agreement was not done in good faith, not in the interest of the Nigerian people, and did not follow due process.
Foremost Ogoni born activist and MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, who made this known in Abuja, weekend, described the Sahara-WAGL deal as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult on the intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
Nsuke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel that FTSA between Sahara Energy and WAGL, noting that the agreement is fraught with irregularities and deceptive.
“What Sahara and the NNPC did in the FTSA between Sahara and WAGL is shameful and depicts high level corruption in public service of our country.
“WAGL is an affiliate of Sahara and the NNPC. How then can Sahara go into an agreement with its own affiliate? It’s as good as going into an agreement with itself. This is deceptive and fraudulent”, Nsuke said.
He continued that “Sahara Energy is certainly not a company the Ogoni people want on their soil and we are calling on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to terminate any deal between the NNPC and Sahara Energy over OML 11, and to allow for an inclusive arrangement that considers a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in the distribution of revenues from natural resource extraction on Ogoni soil.
“The last Ogoni Congress has been unequivocal on the Ogoni demand for justice and has given a clear path to resolve the three decade old conflict between all critical parties.
“It will be good to explore this path to peace and development for Ogoni and for our country”.
Nsuke accused Sahara Energy and the NNPC of frustrating the progress made by MOSOP to achieve a permanent solution to the Ogoni problem.
He urged a presidential intervention with deep consideration for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in order to permanently address the problem.
He noted that Sahara Energy should give up on the Ogoni area to allow for an engagement in the interest of the country and the people.
Recall that MOSOP and Sagara Energy have recently been engaged in a row in what MOSOP describes as an unholy relationship between Sahara Energy and the NNPC over OML 11.
MOSOP expressly rejected Sahara Energy and called for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.
It noted that Ogoni people, led by MOSOP, paid the sacrifice to take the oil from Shell, hence “the position of MOSOP must be taken into consideration in decisions relating to resumption of oil production in Ogoni”.
-
Business4 days ago
AWAEMP Seeks Transformative Policies To Boost Nigeria’s Exports
-
Business4 days ago
Monarch Tasks PHCCIMA On Strong Business Ties
-
Sports4 days ago
Delta Ethnic Cup Goes Beyond fostering unity, Peace
-
Business4 days ago
Ogoni Rejects NNPC-Sahara OML11 Deal … Wants FG’s Intervention
-
Rivers4 days ago
RSG Gives Illegal Dump Sight Operators Quit Notice
-
Sports4 days ago
Bayelsa tasks athletes to surpass NSF records
-
Business4 days ago
We Have Spent N1bn On Electrification -LG Boss
-
Sports4 days ago
MASGULF FC A PLACE TO HAVE FUN, KEEP FIT – PRESIDENT