Business

Aviation Operators Count Losses After Nationwide Strike

Published

7 months ago

June 12, 2024

A group in the aviation sector, the Domestic Cargo Agents in Nigeria, has said the sector lost approximately N7billion to the less than the two-day nationwide industrial action embarked upon by both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).
Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Domestic Airports Cargo Agents Association, Ikpe Nkanang, in a release made available to newsmen, noted that with approximately 30 tonnes of cargo lifted across the country’s domestic airports daily, the volume of cargo left unprocessed during the two-day strike was significant, resulting in a loss of about N7 billion.
”For those two days, the airlines were not working, and once the airlines are not working, cargo cannot move and it is a great loss to all of us.
“You needed to see the volume of cargo that was dumped over those two days. Of course, you know we gathered cargoes during the weekend hoping that by Monday and Tuesday, we would be able to send them out.
“It was a colossal loss to us in the cargo world, it affected our income and, of course, the economy of the country. For those few hours of the strike, the country lost about N7 billion across all local airports”, he said.
The NLC and TUC withdrew their services across the country for less than 48 hours in protest of an increased minimum wage.
The workers embarked on a nationwide strike on Monday, June 3rd, 2024, due to the tripartite committee’s failure to agree on an acceptable new minimum wage for workers.
The unions also protested against the hike in electricity tariffs, arguing that it placed an undue burden on workers and consumers across the country.
When the strike commenced on Monday, workers closed down ministries, departments, and agencies of the federal, state, and local governments, as well as public facilities such as airports and seaports, in compliance with the strike.
In the aviation sector, domestic commercial airlines were unable to provide any services, including passenger and cargo operations, as airports were shut down from Monday till mid-Tuesday, before the suspension of the strike by the labour leaders.

Corlins Walter

Business

Minister Inspects Nigeria/Benin Republic-owned Sugar Firm … Decries Decrepit Condition

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

Nigeria’s Minister of State, Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment, John Owan Enoh, has inspected the Savé Sugar Company, a joint venture between Nigeria and Benin Republic, decrying the current decrepit condition of the facilities.

Inspecting the once thriving company located in Cotonou, Benin Republic recently, the Minister expressed appreciation for the extra security measures put in place by the government of Benin Republic to secure the Savé Sugar Company which was Established in 1975.

Special adviser to the Minister on Media, Diana Tiku Nsan, said on arrival in Cotonou, Sen. Enoh paid a courtesy visit on his Benin counterpart, Minister He noted that during the ship’s port calls, the team engaged with the Indian diaspora worldwide.

Approximately 200 individuals received medical attention from the naval health team during the camp, and beneficiaries were also given free medications.of Commerce and Industry, Benin Republic, Shadiya Alimatou Assouman, where a meeting with both ministers resonated with shared concerns and aspirations of both countries.

Assouman said, “this visit marks a historic moment. Since the inception of the company, no Nigerian minister has visited the facility.

“Your bold step signifies a commitment not only to the sugar complex but also to the bilateral relations between our nations”.

The Minister, who proceeded on an on-site inspection of the facility, observed that the company has experienced changing fortunes and now lies almost decrepit with the last managers, Compliant of China, having vacated in May 2023, at the expiration of a 20-year lease agreement.

After the assessment, the Minister said, “various meetings at both technical and policy levels have continued to be held, but an action is needed.

“This visit is an eye opener, and more than anything else, we seek its revival. The two countries, as a matter of urgency, need to get a worthy core investor within the shortest possible time.

“This is not just about sugar; it is about livelihoods, partnerships, and the shared future of our nations.

“However, where that is not feasible, the recommendation of the 2021 joint assessment report which submits to the selling of our equity in the company will be brought to the table for possible consideration. Action starts today”.

Nsan also said “the deteriorating situation with the Savé Sugar Company Ltd predates the exit of the Chinese. A joint assessment visitation in 2021 was quite damning and recommended that Nigeria sell its equity holding in the company.

“This was declined by the Buhari administration, which instead preferred that upon expiration of the lease agreement with Compliant of China, the two governments competitively source for new core investors.

Business

NGA Becomes Official Partner To 29th Gas Conference … As President Set To Address 2025 World Summit

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Gas Association (NGA) has been officially announced as an “Association Partner” for the 29th World Gas Conference (WGC) 2025, which will take place from May 19 to 23 in Beijing, China.

The WGC 2025 is organised by the International Gas Union (IGU) and hosted in 3-year intervals.

It is the largest and most influential event in the global gas industry bringing together thousands of industry leaders, policymakers, gas executives, specialists, and exhibitors.

The event serves as a critical platform for discussing the future of the gas sector, showcasing innovations, and facilitating high-level collaborations among key stakeholders.

President of the NGA, Akachukwu Nwokedi, will join global energy and gas leaders who will headline the event as speakers.

The conference, billed to focus on the theme, “Energising a Sustainable Future”, is projected to have over 30,000 participants from 70 countries, including 600 companies, 300 exhibitors, and 400 expert speakers.

Nwokedi will emphasise Nigeria’s critical role as a major global natural gas market player.

With over 200 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves, Nigeria is Africa’s largest resource proprietor and one of the top ten globally.

Nwokedi will detail Nigeria’s initiatives aimed at exploiting these vast reserves to drive domestic economic growth, secure energy supply, and contribute to international sustainability goals.

Reflecting on the upcoming event, Nwokedi said, “We are proud to have the NGA support the WGC 2025 as an Association Partner.

“The World Gas Conference is a key forum for sharing knowledge and driving meaningful dialogue on the future of natural gas, particularly as the world grapples with the need for a balanced energy transition. Nigeria has a wealth of natural gas resources that, if appropriately harnessed, can position us as a leader in global energy markets.

“The WGC will be a veritable platform for sharing updates on recent industry initiatives, which aims to showcase Nigeria as a destination for gas investments, boost the country’s domestic economic growth and the role of gas in Nigeria’s decarbonisation efforts.

“I am honoured to have been invited to speak as the leader of Africa’s leading gas advocacy group to expound on Africa’s plans to harness untapped natural gas reserves in providing energy security for its 600+ million undeserved population, and how Nigeria is at the forefront of this energy revolution.

“This is important because we understand that maximising the potential of these resources will require strategic investments in infrastructure, policy reforms, and a commitment to cleaner energy solutions”.

With more than 90 years of history, the WGC has consistently provided a platform for discussing the evolving role of natural gas in the global energy mix.

The NGA invites its members and other natural gas value chain players to participate prominently through sponsorship and inclusion in the Nigerian Pavilion at the conference in China.

As Nigeria’s largest gas advocacy body, the NGA remains steadfast in its mission to promote natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy future and advocate for policies that support its sustainable development.

Through partnerships with global organisations and platforms like the WGC, NGA aims to ensure that Nigeria maintains its position as a leading player in the energy sector.

Business

Dangote Refinery Affecting European Oarkets – OPEC

Published

3 days ago

January 17, 2025

The Tide

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has said Dangote Refinery is affecting European markets, as importation of petroleum products in Nigerian had dropped.

A report by OPEC, midweek, noted that in the last quarter of 2024, “imports also declined, particularly oil product imports, improving the outlook for the external sector”.

In September 2024, Dangote Refinery, a $20 billion project, spearheaded by billionaire Aliko Dangote, officially begun petrol production, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s energy sector.

Announcing the feat, Dangote said: “This refinery will fuel growth, development, and prosperity by supplying energy to our people”.

Accordingly to data OPEC got, the average daily crude production in Nigeria hit 1.507 million barrels in December.

The OPEC report noted that the Dangote Refinery, at 650,000 barrels per day, bpd capacity, is 246,00bpd more than Shell’s Pernis refinery in the Netherlands. Also, BP Rotterdam in the Netherlands has 380,000 bpd capacity.

“The ongoing operational ramp-up efforts at Nigeria’s new Dangote refinery and its gasoline (petrol) exports to the international market will likely weigh further on the European gasoline market.

“Continued gasoline production in Nigeria, a country that has relied heavily on imports to meet its domestic fuel needs in the past, will most likely continue to free up gasoline volumes in international markets, which will call for new destinations and flow adjustments for the extra volumes going forward”, OPEC stated.