Business
Shippers’ Council Becomes Stricter On Port Regulations Compliance
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), is set to fully enforce compliance among service providers in the maritime industry, having received the full support of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Police Command, Pius Imue, during a visit to the NSC Head office in Apapa, assured that the Command was ready to dedicate a team that will accompany the council in its monitoring of the industry.
This move will go a long way in restoring sanity in the industry, as many erring firms would be sanctioned and the ethics of the shipping business strengthened. Besides, the NSC would be more active in playing its statutory role.
Imue disclosed that a desk for this assignment and other matters affecting the industry had already been set up, adding that the team of the Police Unit would be ready to accompany the council officials on target missions once it is given a notice for the operation.
The AIG was quoted as saying in a statement: “If you want to visit any of the companies, give us 24 hours notice. We shall give you police team to go for enforcement.”
The Police support came following a request to this effect by the Executive Secretary of the Council, Hassan Bello, who said that monitoring compliance in the industry was imperative. It would be recalled that maritime industry stakeholders had called on the Council over two years ago to seek the support of the Police in enforcing some of its statutory obligations.
The stakeholders had referred the council to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFD AC, among others who have dedicated Police Units to enforce their statutory functions at any given time.
The management of the council had however played this down, preferring a gentleman’s approach, a style that appears not to be helping the council.
Bello also called on the AIG to put an end to a situation in which some police officers were intercepting containers cleared at the ports on the high way, as this has been affecting trade facilitation due to attendant delays.
Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the NSC, and Kings Communications Limited, are organising a two-day National Summit on Establishment, Management and Operations of Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) in Nigeria.
The forum, aimed at facilitating investments in TTPs and enhancing trade and investments for the revival of Nigeria’s economy, is scheduled for 11th and 12th July, in Abuja.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is the chief host and will deliver the welcome address, while the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, will deliver the keynote.
The Summit, themed: ”Truck Transit Parks: Providing Critical Infrastructure for Trade and Transit in Nigeria,” seeks to assemble stakeholders in transport and logistics sector to optimise the potential and investment opportunities in TTPs. It will also harmonise and standardise truck parking facilities on Nigerian roads; adopt financial models for developing and sustaining TTPs; and establish the role of stakeholders in managing such parks, among others.
According to the spokesman for NSC, Ignatius Nweke, among those expected to attend the Summit are critical stakeholders in the project, which include state governors, transport commissioners, haulage truck owners, transport unions, construction companies, relevant National Assembly committees, prospective investors, and leaders of thought in the sector.
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
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
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”.