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THE NATION ON SUNDAY MARCH 9, 2014
BUSINESS
Family seeks Fashola's xxxx Stakeholders hail removal intervention over revoked C of O of aviation chiefs T
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TAKEHOLDERS in the aviation sector yesterday described the removal of chief executives of four aviation agencies as another step by government to strengthen institutions in the sensitive aviation industry affirming that the persons appointed to replace them have the requisite industry knowledge and experience to drive the transformation of the industry. According to the experts, including pilots, air traffic controllers, airline operators , union representatives and industry analysts, the combined experience of not less 25 years each of the persons appointed to lead the agencies is enough proof that reforming the aviation sector is beyond personalities . Speaking in separate interviews in Lagos, Comrade Olayinka Abioye, deputy general secretary of National Union of Air Transport Employees ( NUATE ), Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, former president of National Cabin Crew Association ( NACCAN), Engineer Sheri Kyari , executive director of Centre of Aviation Safety and Research ( CAS-R), Captain Dung Pam, president of Nigerian Aviation Safety Initiative ( NASI) as well as the former chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria ( AON), Dr Steve Mahonwu
By Kelvin Osa Okunbor
described the appointment of new helmsmen in the agencies as part of the steps to move aviation industry forward . Speaking in an interview in Lagos, the deputy general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Mr. Olayinka Abioye described the development as a "positive development." "Government is a continuum. We expect that those who have taken over will continue from where the former chief executives left off. We also believe that in each of the agencies, there have been some irregularities; we have had labour issues where collective agreements are being breached; we have a situation in which conditions of service which ought to have been reviewed have been neglected by the managements. So, I believe that those who have just been named as new chief executives will correct these things," said Abioye. He advised the new chief helmsmen of the agencies to start the process of reengineering in the industry saying the new appointees "are industry people, a demand we have been agitating for." Also speaking, head of strategy Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo applauded the
appointments saying their years of experience of the new chief executives will have positive impact on the industry. "We applaud their appointments considering their years of experience. I will advise the new appointees who are professionals to go through their respective governing acts and advise the minister accordingly. Also, they should avail themselves with the Procurement Act and the workings of the Due Process Unit. There are banana peels in the industry," said Ohunayo. In his reaction, the founder and executive director of the Centre for Aviation Safety and Research (CAS-R), Mr. Sheri Kyari argued that all the agency chief executive positions should be tenured such that "they can groom people that will take over from them." He urged the federal government to demand from the chief executives a yearly report of their stewardship. Mahonwu on his part said the persons appointed into the agencies have the requisite experience to move the industry forward. In particular, some stakeholders said the appointment of Engineer Saleh Dunoma , as managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN), given his
vast experience in airport management would assist to drive the transformation of airport infrastructure in the country . Scores of retirees from FAAN, described Dunoma as the man that could turn around the airports given his vast experience and knowledge about airport administration. Meanwhile, the National Association of Air Traffic Engineers (NAAE), an umbrella body of the Air Traffic Engineers in the Aviation industry has commended the President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing a seasoned engineer as the managing director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency NAMA. A release signed in Lagos Engineer Ojar Opah secretary NAAE said the appointment of Engr Ibrahim Abdusalam an experienced and highly rated Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel will consolidate on the gains of the ongoing process and continue the transformation. Speaking on phone on the removal of parastatal chiefs, the President National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE),Engr Isaac Balami, said that since the Federal Government is the employer of these agency heads and other staff in the various agencies, it has the power to remove any of its workers .
HE daughter of the former Chief Architect in Lagos State, Adesoye Simeon Osinuga has appealed to the state Governor Babatunde Fashola over the revocation of right of occupancy of her late father's property in Omole Estate, Lagos. Osinuga during his life time worked with the Lagos State Government under the Mobolaji Johnson tenure as a Chief Architect in the state. In a letter dated May 30th, 2013, his daughter, Tobi Osinuga said although approval for his father's plan to build a duplex was granted by the state government, ''however he (Osinuga) was ill for several years in which he suffered from emotional trauma after losing his life savings to fraudsters." This, she further stated, resulted in her father routinely being in and out of hospital treatment for so long a period until he died in July 14, 2011. According to her, the letter notifying him of the revocation of the landed property was not received ''because he had not been to the address, located on 4, Little Road, Yaba for over 10 years before his death after which the notice of revocation was received by the family.'' Although Tobi said the revocation was done in the public interest, however, appealed to the state governor to view her father's case with compassion, having served the state meritoriously before his untimely demise. "Your Excellency, I hope you will find a place in your heart to grant our request. My father loved our country and was a pillar in the community. He received many accolades, including one from Governor Mobolaji Johnson who stated in a newspaper publication that my father was 'the best architect' of his time," she stated.
Firm profiles top 100 development professionals By Adeola Ogunlade N line with its pioneering role as the industry journal of development communication, Construction & Engineering Digest (CED) Magazine has concluded plans to unveil the top 100 development professionals and industry leaders as part of the journal's celebration of Centenary Celebration of Nigeria's nationhood on Friday, 14th, March 2014, at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja, Lagos. In a statement issued by the journal's publisher and Chief Executive of Century 21 Systems Communication Limited, Kenneth Odusola-Stevenson, he said that the over two decades publication has consistently reported development in the construction, engineering, infrastructure and the built environment while promoting cooperation among practitioners. On the criteria for nomination, he said this include innovation in business and practice model, inspirational leadership, connectivity, confidence, competence and connections, above all practitioners and organisations that have become great leaders by honing their skills and putting their network for others to become leaders. Guests expected at the event include Ministers of Mines and Steel Development and Works, Musa Mohammed Sada and Mike Onolememen, among others.
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Economy: Lagos Assembly assures Fashola of continuous support
L •Beneficiaries of Seplat's empowerment scheme
Seplat lifts indigents, pledges continuous support
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EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc, in fulfilment of its corporate social responsibility objective has assured host communities of improved standard of living. Giving this assurance at a public forum in Sapele, in Delta State, recently, was top management staff of the company. The event was at the third edition of the healthcare empowerment scheme. Speaking at the event, Managing Director, Mr.
From Akatakpo Frank, Sapele Austin Avuru, who was represented by the General Manager, Health Safety, Environment and Community Development, Bright Oghor, emphasised that as part of the company's commitment towards community development it has continued to deploy material and human resources to different worthy causes including socioeconomic empowerment of its host communities. The Seplat boss, however, urged the communities to
remain peaceful as this would have long lasting effect on the socio-economic development of the people as far as operations of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry is concerned. While noting that the company is involved in a joint venture operation with the Nigeria Petroleum Development Company Limited in the oil mineral lease licenses OML 4,38 and 41, he said, the JVO, has high prospect. Echoing similar sentiments, the General Managing Corporate Affairs
and New Business Development, Dr, (Mrs) Chioma Nwachuku in her remark, hinted of plans by the company to increase the tempo of CSR activities in several other parts of the community, especially in the area of healthcare, economic empowerment among others. Mrs. Nwachuku further noted that the company remains committed to promoting robust relationship with their host communities, as this could engender overall socioeconomic development in the region.
By Oziegbe Okoeki
AGOS State House of Assembly has pledged to continue to support Governor Babatunde Fashola in his quest to better the live of Lagosians by providing necessary infrastructure in the state. The House further pledged to assist the governor in the area of budget in every way possible to avert any untoward effect arising from the current economic situation as a result of Federal Government failure to remit the proper fund to the state. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo who presided at yesterday's plenary gave the assurance on behalf of his colleagues after listening to four members of the state executive council who were invited to throw more light on the state of the economy as presented to the House by the Governor at plenary on recently. After listening to the governor on Monday, the House invited Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Ben Akabueze, Commissioner Finance, Ayo Gbeleyi, commissioner, Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue, Bola Shodipo and the Accountant General of the state. The exco members took turns to explain the effect of the current situation on the performance of the budget and welfare of Lagosians. According to Nwabueze although only 25 per cent of the state government is dependent on federal transfers "it still remains a significant portion of the budget if it is threatened as it is now" stressing that it affects budget performance. He said 75 per cent of the budget is from internally generated revenue. He however pointed out that not very many states are in the same situation with Lagos as most of them practically survive on federal allocation. Shodipo explained further that the situation "affects every aspect of our living in the state, we are trying to minimize the effect but how far we can go is still a matter of concern."