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TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2022 ˾ T H I S D AY
BUSINESSWORLD
NEWS
‘NPA Committed to Elimination of Systemic Corruption at Nation’s Seaports’ Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello Koko, has reiterated the organization’s commitment to the elimination of systemic corruption and other criminal practices at the nation’s seaports. He has equally affirmed the authority’s position to operate in compliance with the standard operating procedures (SOPs) as stipulated in the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM), a project
it funded, to enhance operational excellence and service delivery at all Nigerian seaports and terminals. The MD NPA made these remarks recently when he received members of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) led by Soji Apampa, at the Authority’s headoffice in Marina, Lagos. Koko stated that the NPA Management appreciates the positive being played by the network in partnership with key sister agencies
‘Customers are Treated as Kings, Queens at Majesty-Realm Hotels’ Okon Bassey in Uyo The management of MajestyRealm Hotels Limited, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State has lauded five banks namely Union Bank, Zenith Bank, Access Bank, FCMB and First Bank for extending their facilities to the company to build a world class hotel in the South South region of the country. The board director of MajestyRealm Hotels Limited, Sir Udo Isobara commended the banks weekend when conducting journalists around the facilities provided by the hotel which he noted would also boost tourism development in the region. “These banks granted the hotel all the loans with which Majesty-Realm got established and developed to her current
and organizations to create a more friendly environment for doing business in the nation’s maritime industry. He also commended the group for promoting the gains of business integrity and raising awareness on the negative impact of corruption on the country’s image and global rating. The NPA helmsman expressed delight that the anti-corruption reforms introduced by the Buhari led Federal Government has significantly reduced corrupt and related criminal practices in the Nigerian port and shipping sector. In his words, “the NPA Management under my watch is happy to note that we are doing well in view of the drop
in the incidences of corruption to 5 from over 150 cases when this anti-corruption campaign started. We have seen the progress being recorded in all aspect of port operations as well as revenue into government coffers, it shows that sooner than later, the port industry in Nigeria would become the most attractive maritime cluster in the region, going by our market share and capacity”, he declared. Leader of the MACN team, Soji Apampa, explained that the purpose of their visit is to intimate the Authority about the achievements recorded, in collaboration with other key stakeholders, to engender zero tolerance to corruption in the port
as well as remove opaqueness in port operations in line with international best practice. He mentioned that the Nigerian port ecosystem has witnessed a positive change in the last three years, as reported demands made by corrupt public officials on shipmasters and shipping agents in the process of vessel clearance has reduced from three to two digits. “The introduction of the SOPs and NNPM has increased the level of transparency around processes to be complied with in Nigerian ports. The introduction of the Port Service Support Portal has also made complaints and grievance handling processes more transparent and effective”.
He further said that his group from 2017 has trained over a thousand personnel serving in the port, including staff of NPA, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Immigrations Service and other agencies, across all port locations in the country. Apampa appealed to the NPA Management to sustain the collaboration with his group. He requested for increased support in terms of logistics and manpower deployment, whilst assuring the NPA Management of the group’s readiness to provide technical support and training to staff of the Authority, in view of MACN’s affiliation with the World Maritime University.
state of glory” he said. He explained that it was the high demand of tourism facilities in the state that, the Board was constrained to approach the banks to obtain the loans to finance an expansion programme. Isobara said the Majesty-Realm situated on plot 166, Lagos street, Ewet Housing estate, Uyo is “designed to treat customers as kings and queens” hence the name Majesty-Realm hotel. “Currently, this hotel can boast of world class facilities for recreation, relaxation and conferences. Majesty is completed with a full complement of swimming pool, standard gymnasium, internet, a restaurant that can take 150 guest seated comfortably and conference either a seating capacity of 400.
BUA Cement Installs 3 500KVA Transformers, Drills 2 Power Solar Boreholes in Sokoto Community Onuminya Innocent In Sokoto As part of its contribution to the development of its host communities BUA Cement Plc has installed 3 units of 500KVA, transformers to boost access to electricity in SARDA, Kalambaina and specialist hospital, in Wamakko Community of Sokoto state. In the same vein, the company also commissioned 2 power solar Boreholes in Gidan Gamba, Giremshi of Wamakko local government to cushion the effects of water scarcity in the area. Speaking at the event the Managing Director/ Chief Executives Officer of the company Engr Yusuf Haliru Binji said BUA cement corporate social responsibility is
a critical part of the BUA cement and as a result the company is committed to the development of host communities wherever it operates. Represented by Head Administration and Corporate services Sada Suleiman, Binji said the 3units of 500KVA transformers will ease the burden of access to.electricity currently being experienced in the communities. On the power solar Boreholes Binji said it company is committed to the provision of portable water to its host communities to prevent outbreak of water borne diseases. He noted that the company has also given scholarship, instructional materials worth millions of naira to the indigent students.
Jigawa Governor Visits WACOT’s Sesame Farm, Hails Contributions to State, Nigeria’s Economy Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, has assured Jigawa citizens and investors that his administration will continue to support private investors such as WACOT Limited whose investments are contributing to the state’s socioeconomic development while boosting Nigeria’s food security. Governor Abubakar stated this during his site inspection of WACOT Limited’s 500 hectares Gumel Farm Project for cultivating certified organic sesame. During his inspection, the Governor expressed joy at the progress made by WACOT over the past five years in Jigawa. He stated that WACOT Limited commenced its Jigawa operations in 2016 by buying sesame from farmers through a pilot out-grower scheme with a few hundred farmers. This scheme has now grown to capture over 6000 farmers in Gumel Emirate.
He added that when WACOT decided to expand and diversify into organic sesame farming two years ago, the state government readily provided over 500 hectares of land because it was confident the company would improve the welfare of farmers and boost the state’s economy. Governor Abubakar said, “Not only did they commit to creating an organic sesame farm, but they also committed to creating a Farmers’ Academy, a drip irrigation section, a sesame cleaning plant and warehouses. As you can see, the entire project is nearly complete – in fact, some of the areas are already in use. “The primary one is the organic sesame farm, which is operational and now certified by an international body ‘ECOCERT’, meaning sesame grown on our land is internationally recognized and approved for export in Europe and America. “
L-R: Chief of the Naval Staff, (CNS) Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; and Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Mallam Mele Kyari , during a courtesy visit to Naval Headquarters, Abuja… recently
Quantity Surveyors Propose Death Sentence for Persons Indicted in Building Collapse Incidents Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja The Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN), has proposed jail terms or death sentences for anyone inducted over the collapse of any building in Nigeria. President of the group, Murtala Aliyu, who made the suggestion at the 2022 Annual Assembly of QSRBN, in Abuja said perpetrators of such crimes must be made to face the law. “I think that there should be a legislation where people should be sanctioned under this kind of
condition. “They should pay heavily or go to jail or be hanged. There must be a consequence. In a situation where there is no consequence, the practice will continue,” he stated. Also in his remarks, the President, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), Enyi Ben- Eboh condemned the trend, describing it was worrisome. “Government agencies are responsible for checking whether these buildings are being constructed according to specifications and in conformity with the provisions in building
code which, of course, is in place in Nigeria,” he stated. In his comments, the President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Olayemi Shonubi, congratulated the inductees for being officially licensed to practice. He lamented a situation where some quantity surveyors rubbish their colleagues before contractors, saying such an act was capable of tarnishing the image of the profession. Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, charged professionals in the building sector, especially, surveyors to key into the
emerging science and technology in order to be relevant in the sector. Fashola, who declared open the annual Assembly with theme; “Shopping the future of the quantity surveying profession”, urged them to reposition their profession in order to address any new developments and challenges that may arise in the near future. Represented by the Head of Quantity Surveying Department in the ministry, Pemi Samuel, he noted that capacity building among the surveying professionals would aid the growth of the constitution industry in the country.
W’Africa Automotive Show in Lagos to Host 100 Exhibitors, 3,000 Visitors in May Sunday Okobi The West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS), Nigeria’s largest automotive parts show, will return to Lagos on May 17 to 19 with more than 100 exhibitors from Nigeria and around the world showcasing the latest developments and products in the auto parts and services sector to more than 3,000 visitors from across West Africa. According to the organisers, while the event will focus on local businesses, there will be a highly international flavour with overseas representation from more than 20
countries. These include India, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Thailand, Indonesia, Nigeria, Pakistan, the UAE, Poland, the United State of America, and Turkey. The show, which will take place at the Landmark Centre on Victoria Island, Lagos, is endorsed by the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), and its founding partner, Africa’s largest auto spare part market, Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA). WAAS is organised by BtoB Events, which also runs the highly popular Food and Beverage West
Africa show (taking place in June) and Beauty West Africa show (in November). The Managing Director of the WAAS organiser, BtoB Events, Jamie Hill, in a statement issued yesterday noted that he was looking forward to seeing the regional automotive sector come together again. Hill in a statement said: “We are delighted to be able to bring the long-anticipated return of the West Africa Automotive Show back to Nigeria for its first post-pandemic edition. “Demand for exhibition space has been very high, which reflects
the strong desire from the market to get back to business and make us for lost time. The impact of the pandemic on international trade was huge, so the exhibition will act as a perfect platform for businesses to find new suppliers from around the world and suppliers to find new customers across the region. “Visitors can also pre-register for WAAS at https://www. westafricaautomotive.com/preregister/ which will give them free entry. Otherwise, there will be a nominal administration fee of N1,000 for non-registered attendees on the door.”