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PEBEC: Shipping companies must send manifest to Customs 7 days ahead

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PEBEC: Shipping companies must send manifest to Customs 7 days ahead
L-R : Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria, Val Osifor; Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, at a meeting held with representatives of shipping companies at the NSC headquarters in Lagos on Friday.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has directed shipping lines to transmit electronic manifest of their cargoes to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) seven days before the arrival of their vessel to the country.

The new directive from PEBEC is part of effort by the Federal Government to facilitate cargo clearance at the nation’s ports and improve the ease of doing business in the country. Speaking to journalists at the end of a closed door meeting held with shipping companies at the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) headquarters in Lagos on Friday, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, assured that PEBEC will work with Customs and the NCS to address some of the challenges the shipping companies said may arise from the new directive.

“What we are asking for is global best practice and it is nothing beyond the shipping lines. They operate in other climes and they have committed to us that they will indeed be sending in the manifest as requested. We are going to work with Customs and the Shippers Council to make it easier for them. We know there will be hiccups but they have committed to doing that,” she said.

Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Val Osifor, while expressing the commitment of the shipping companies to work with the government to improve ease of doing business in the country, noted that the delay in the issuance of rotation number by Customs is one of the bottlenecks that must be addressed by the authorities. 

He noted that the average time it takes for an importer to get his container once a ship arrives is 20 days, a situation he blamed on bureaucracies by government agencies at the port. He said, “We have assured them (PEBEC) they will get the cooperation they need. Once the bottlenecks are addressed, these things can be done. The bottlenecks are created by the so many agencies in the port. Where you have people working for the same government and in competition, things don’t move.

“The system has to be fine-tuned. When the ship comes, it needs a rotation number from Customs. So what has been agreed is that once the bulk of the manifest has been lodged and it has a rotation number, we are suggesting that the rotation number should be maintained for cargoes that are coming from way ports. For instance, if the ship passes through Cape Town, and we have a lot of cargoes being transmitted from Cape Town, you don’t need to give another rotation number, it is just adding to the manifest.

“Once it has rotation number, as the manifest is transmitted electronically, the importer knows he can start processing his documents while waiting for the cargo to arrive. “Shipping companies are not interested in demurrage. Demurrage is unnecessary because if the system works well and the importer is able to get his cargo on arrival within three day, he does not need to pay demurrage.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello said the Council has been assigned to ensure and moderate the transmission of shipping lines manifest to NPA and Customs before arrival of vessels to Nigeria. He noted that it is the duty of the government to ensure conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive in Nigeria, adding that the cooperation and support of stakeholders will help move the industry forward.

“This meeting is purposely to have stakeholders input. The business of enabling business environment is very important and critical to the investment that we have. It is always the aspiration of the government to manage that conducive atmosphere so that the private sector will carry out its business squarely. “And it is the responsibility of the government to not only protect the investors but guarantee return on investment and this could be done only by giving the private sector the leverage and good atmosphere.

“The purpose of this meeting is to know the challenges raised by the shipping companies and then their request of what to do. We are also here to engage the stakeholders, shippers in particular and shipping lines to discuss the ways which we can move forward,” Bello added.

INTELS donates N1.2bn ultramodern market to Onne community

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INTELS donates N1.2bn ultramodern market to Onne community

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he management of Nigeria’s oil and gas logistics giant, INTELS Nigeria Limited has constructed and donated an ultramodern market to the Onne Community in Rivers State.
The General Manager of INTELS Nigeria Limited, Mr. Silvano Bellinato, while speaking in Onne on Friday, said the ultramodern market was built at the cost of N1.2 billion. He said the facility was built as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR).
According to him, the company’s CSR focuses on critical areas of intervention including creation of employment, empowerment and provision of development projects for host communities.

He said INTELS adopts an integrated participatory approach to its CSR and community development projects.
“At INTELS, our CSR is tailored to create an environment in which the host communities and the company become fundamentally interdependent, where understanding is mutual and commitment to growth and development total,” he said.

He said the company also provides scholarships and employment to indigent and physically-challenged students, in addition to instituting various empowerment programmes for youth and women. Mr. Bellinato said no fewer than 66 physically-challenged persons have been granted scholarships by the company. He said the scholarship scheme, which was set up in 2003, covers primary, secondary and tertiary education.Some of the beneficiaries enjoyed the scholarship from primary school through to tertiary education, attaining professional qualifications in various fields of human endeavours. The beneficiaries also have the opportunity of working at INTELS after completing their education if they so desire.

The INTELS General Manager also said that more than 700 women have been trained and empowered by the company through its internationally acclaimed Women Empowerment Programme Scheme Synergy (WEPSS). He said WEPSS was established in 2013 with the vision of empowering 5,000 community women over a 20-year period through training in fashion design and tailoring.

He said to ensure successful implementation of the WEPSS initiative, INTELS acquired and made available over 300 sewing and specialised machines and built a 5000-square metres garment manufacturing factory at the Federal Lighter Terminal (FLT), Onne, Rivers State, for the training.Mr. Bellinato said the company remains resolute in enhancing the lives of people in its area of operation, and remains committed to the development of communities in the area.

INTELS Nigeria Limited has won several awards and commendation, at both national and international levels, for its exemplary community development and empowerment programmes.

Recently, the company was honoured by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) – an agency of government under the Federal Ministry of Transportation – for its outstanding contribution to the development of its host communities.NSC conferred the “Most Outstanding Terminal Operator in Corporate Social Responsibility” award on INTELS.

Also, the Paramount Ruler of Onne Clan in Rivers State, King John Dennis Osaronu, recently commended the company, describing it as “a company Nigerians must be proud of”.He said INTELS has provided roads, drainages, streetlights, medical services and several other amenities to the community. He also commended INTELS for empowering women and youth in the community.

INTELS Nigeria Limited developed and operates its major base within the Oil and Gas Free Zone, Onne, Rivers State. The company is also a concessionaire to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA); operating dedicated oil and gas terminals at the ports of Onne, Calabar and Warri.

IGP orders withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs

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IGP orders withdrawal of police officers attached to VIPs
IGP Ibrahim Idris
The Inspector-General of Police

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Inspector-General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, on Monday ordered an immediate withdrawal of police officers attached to some political office holders and very important personalities, VIPs, in the country, citing the security challenges facing Nigeria as reason.
Recall that the IGP had stated that the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has perfected plans to withdraw its mobile personnel attached to important personalities in the country back to the barracks. During an interactive session with a group of civil society organisations under the auspices of, “The Situation Room’’ in Abuja last June, Idris had stated that the measure was intended to bring the police closer to Nigerians.
The police boss, who announced the latest development during a conference with senior officers in Abuja, stated that the directive also affected private businessmen, multi-national companies and other corporate organizations who are enjoying special police protection.
He explained that a task force has consequently been constituted at the Force headquarters under the command of ACP Mohammed Dankwara to ensure compliance to the directive while state commissioners of police are to replicate same at their commands.
Announcing his plans to withdraw the policemen on private guard duty, the IGP said, “In view of the current security challenges in the country, it has become expedient for the Nigeria Police Force to streamline the deployment of its personnel attached to political and public office holders, aimed at enhancing effective and efficient policing of the country.
“To this effect, a memo will be forwarded to the President for approval which will serve as a guideline or template for deployment to VIPs, political and public office holders in the country. Accordingly, a directive for withdrawal of all police officers deployed to VIPs, political and public office holders with immediate effect, is hereby given.”
The police boss however explained that businessmen, corporate organisations and individuals who required special police protection and “are found worthy,” would be considered by the Special Protection Unit of the force on application for re-validation through the state Commissioners of Police where they are resident.
“By so doing, I am charging the Commissioners of Police with the responsibility of supervising such official deployment and thereby holding them accountable,” the police chief informed his audience consisting of senior police officers.
Idris bemoaned the abuse of police Supernumerary number plates and the illegal use of siren and covering of vehicle number plates by motorists and warned the culprits to desist.
He directed the holders of the police SPY number plates to return them to the Force Transport Officer and apply for re-validation.
The IGP also asked the Commissioners of Police in the states to enforce the directive and arrest violators, adding that the list of task force teams that would ensure compliance to the order should be sent to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Operations, by March 31, 2018

Source : Grassroots Publishers

Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network dissolves executives

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Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network dissolves executives

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network (GNPN) has dissolved its executives, following the expiration of their three-years tenure of office. Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network also setup a six-man caretaker committee to run the affairs of this great body till November 2018 when new executive members will be duly elected.

Comrade Leo Agodi, made this known in a communiqué, on Sunday, in Benin.
Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network held its 2018 first quarter meeting in Benin,where important national issues were deliberated upon.

The Caretaker Committee has Comrade( Chief) D.O.D.Okirika,as National President,while Comrade Maduike Ifeoma is the National Vice President. Other members of the Committee are: Abiagom Ike, who is the Treasurer and Comrade Jude Chukwuah as Secretary.
The remaining members of the Committee are: Comrade Oleyelogun Oki and Comrade Bassey A. Bassey.

According to the communiqué, the Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network commended their Former National President, Dr Dan Dike Awana,the Publisher of Frontline News and other former executives for exhibiting a great spirit of patriotism during their tenure and for taking this great body to a greater height.

Sign: Comrade Leo Agodi

Publisher, NewsLens

GTBank posts N200b profit, to pay N79.5b cash dividend to shareholders

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GTBank posts N200b profit, to pay N79.5b cash dividend to shareholders

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria’s most capitalised financial institution and leading tier one commercial bank- Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc recorded a pre-tax profit of N200 billion in 2017, inciting the leading group of the bank to prescribe appropriation of N79.5 billion as cash dividend to shareholders. Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of GTB for the year ended December 31, 2017 released yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) showed that profit before tax rose by 21 per cent from N165.1 billion in 2016 to N200.2 billion in 2017. Profit after tax also increased from N132.28 billion in 2016 to N170.47 billion in 2017. Earnings per share improved to N6.03 in 2017 compared with N4.67 in 2016. Gross earnings had increased marginally from N414.6 billion in 2016 to N419.2 billion.

The balance sheet showed that the bank’s loan book dipped by 8.9 per cent from N1.59 trillion in 2016 to N1.449 trillion in 2017 while customer deposits increased by 3.8 per cent to N2.062 trillion in 2017 as against N1.986 trillion in 2016. Total assets and contingents grew by 3.9 per cent to N3.845 trillion in 2017 while shareholders’ funds increased to N625.2 billion.

The board of directors of the bank has recommended payment of a final dividend of N2.40 per share to shareholders, in addition to interim dividend of 30 kobo per share, bringing total dividend per share for 2017 N2.70 per share.

Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said the immediate past year was a pivotal year for the bank as it was able to deliver a strong result in a challenging environment.

According to him, the bank achieved record growth in earnings, carefully managed cost margins and leveraged its digital-first customer-centric strategy to deliver world-class services that are simple, cheap and easily accessible.

“The result demonstrates the fundamental strength of our franchise as well as the progress we are making in transforming our organization into a platform on which our customers could build their businesses, connect with their consumers and access all the resources that they need to make their lives better,” Agbaje said.

Incredible! Olivia ,17-year-old girl from Edo breaks JAMB records, scores 330 at ongoing UTME

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Incredible! Olivia ,17-year-old girl from Edo breaks JAMB records, scores 330 at ongoing UTME

[dropcap] M[/dropcap]argaret Olivia Chaba,17-year-old girl from Edo has broken the record of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), scoring 330 points in the ongoing Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Olivia from Ogute, a community in parts of Edo north, is said to be leading in ongoing UTME with 19points, beating the record of one Aliyu Muhammad Sani Kaugama from Jigawa state who it was learnt scored 311 in the UTME.

In the post made by one Alexander Ajanaku on Edo Political Forum group on facebook, the poster expressed happiness that an indigene of Edo state has broken records, setting the internet and facebook ablaze with her grade in the ongoing UTME. Ajanaju wrote: “Olivia has made Edo proud. She just broke the record. Have you heard? One of our daughters, I mean our very own daughter from Ogute, Margaret Olivia Chaba, currently leads in the ongoing UTME exercise with 19 points, scored 330.

“She has broken the 311 record of one Aliyu Muhammad Sani Kaugama of Jigawa state.

“Aliu, as we learnt, has been given scholarship both by his state government and erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan to study overseas.“Olivia who is from Edo state wants to study medicine and should be encouraged by the Edo state government and other stakeholders in Okpella to help her fulfill her dream. All hail little Olivia.”

According to Ajanaku, born on July 1, 2001,Margaret Olivia Chaba hails from Okpella in Etsako east local government area of Edo state. She attended Adeolu nursery and primary school, Isonyin near Ijebu-Ode in Ogun state.

As at present, she is an SS3 student of Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Ijebu Ode. She sat for 2017/2018 WAEC/GCE (private). In the GCE, she scored English B3, Mathematics B3, Chemistry B2, Biology A1, Physics A1 and Further Mathematics A1.

So much congratulation have been poured on her with one Oviosu Elvis promising to assist her financially if she chose University of Benin to study her medicine.

 

Source: Grassroots Publishers

NUJ tasks Okowa over controversial sale of Delta Line

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NUJ tasks Okowa over controversial sale of Delta Line

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he controversial sale of Delta Line, the flagship of Delta State in the transportation sector was one shrouded in political abracadabra. Delta Line with a massive goodwill and reputation built over the years, with over 100 terminals across the country and well over 1200 units of modern buses was sold for N160 million to God is Good Motors as against the sum of N2 billion offered by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC).

The concession agreement between the Delta State government, and God is Good Motors, on the state transport company, Delta Line Transport Company, has continued to generate controversy seven months after the deal.“Congress however implores the Delta State Government to explain the current situation of Delta Line Transport Company since it was concessioned to God Is Good Motors with a view to highlighting how much value has been added to the company.”The government had last year divested 60% equity to the private transport company in a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement that saw the government retaining 40 per cent.

Rising from the State Congress of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, a communique signed by the State Chairman, Comrade Michael Ikeogwu and Secretary, Churchill Oyowe, dated 15th March, 2018 was issued urging the Okowa-led administration to explain the state of the Delta Line/God is Good concessioning to Deltans whose common patrimony has been allegedly bargained out to settle friends and political associates.

Gov. Okowa with the Chairman, God is Good Motors Limited, Mr Chidi Ajaere Tours Delta State Officials on controversial future Delta Line Bus in September 2017.

Chairman, God is Good Motors Limited, Mr Chidi Ajaere Tours Delta State Officials on controversial future Delta Line Bus in September 2017.The sooner the Okowa administration comes clean on the truth of the concessioning of Delta State, the better. Truth, like a live coal of fire cannot for long be hid in the pocket.
NUJ however commended the state government for taking re-awarding failed projects at the Asaba International Airport and the deplorable Maryam Babangida Way in Asaba (where the union’s secretariat under construction is located), to another contractor.
It also lauded the government “for its effort at finding lasting solution to the perennial flood in Asaba through the construction of deep drains and giving priority attention to construction/rehabilitation of major roads in Asaba capital territory.”
The union condemned in strong terms, alleged killings by herdsmen in parts of the state, and urged the state government “to synergize with relevant security agencies in the to urgently address” the ugly trend and forestall the situation from degenerating to full blown crisis.

It further condemned “the attitude of some security agents who willfully molest members of the NUJ in the course of performing their legitimate duty,” explaining that “just as the security agents are constitutionally empowered to do their job that is how journalists are also backed to carry out their assigned roles. Hence, both parties should see themselves as partners in progress and urged journalists practicing in the state to rededicate themselves to the ideals of the profession.

 

Source: Grassroots Publishers

Delta Government Owes Pensioners Over N50bn-Okowa

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Delta Government Owes Pensioners Over N50bn-Okowa
         Gov. Okowa Ifeanyi

[dropcap]D[/dropcap]elta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has revealed that the state government is owing pensioners back log of arrears of over N50bn to N60bn.
The Governor who made the revelation on Friday during the ongoing town hall meeting at Bomadi and Ughelli said, “the problem we are having with the pension scheme is called past services. It is a huge amount of money. It runs into over N50 to N60 billion.”
He stated that in order to find solution to the payment of pension is to make money available on monthly basis, adding that they every month his government spend about N1.1 billion on pensions.
“ I don’t know of any state that is paying as much apart from one state,” he said
The Governor who was commended by leaders and stakeholders for the even spread of infrastructural developmental projects in the state reeled out projects executed by his administration in the areas, emphasising that apart from the provision of infrastructure, the wealth creation programmes of his administration have received national and international recognition because of its success stories.
According to him, a lot of youths who were unemployed prior to his emergence as Governor have become entrepreneurs through the wealth creation programmes that are currently receiving partnership with the United Nations.
He also, urged Deltans to key into the compulsory health insurance scheme of his administration, disclosing that it will save those who are in need of funds when they are ill the trauma of sourcing for funds.
Reacting to agitations for new kings in Bomadi, Governor Okowa urged communities seeking to have kings to follow due process and avoid heating up the polity with their agitations. asserting that “It is a long process to have a King, you must follow due process, it is not achievable through violence,”
The governor affirmed that the town hall meetings has afforded him the opportunity to see first hand the level of development in the state and the challenges facing the various areas, promising to utilise the 2018 and 2019 budgets to tackling the developmental needs facing the people.
Chairmen of Bomadi and Ughelli North local government areas, Hon. William Angadi and Hon. Godwin Adode respectively, including traditional rulers and representatives of different groups thanked Governor Okowa’s administration for the spread of projects across the state.

Governors earn more than senators –Obi

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Governors earn more than senators –Obi

“None of you knows what a governor or even a local government chairman earns. Quote me anywhere, if you know you won’t be here. It is something you can’t imagine. You just know the one of senators and you are shouting, but, what if you know that of the governors?

“America’s GDP is way above Nigeria’s but an American senator earns $174,000 (about N50 million) a year and you can imagine what his Nigerian counterpart earns in a month. “In America, governors earn according to their state. The governor of California is the highest paid in America and he earns $192, 000.

“The smallest state earns $70, 000. But, in Nigeria, I can tell you, because I’ve been there, the cost of just keeping convoys alone is in millions.

“And, when people ask me ‘why am I saying these things?’ I tell them that even if we made mistakes yesterday, can’t we correct it today?”

Era of Fuel Scarcity is Gone for Good, Says NNPC GMD

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Era of Fuel Scarcity is Gone for Good, Says NNPC GMD
Dr Maikanti Baru,
Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Group Managing Director (GMD), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Dr Maikanti Baru, on Saturday assured Nigerians that the era of fuel scarcity is gone for good. Receiving the Man of the Year Award from Nigeria NewsDirect newspaper, the NNPC GMD said that the corporation had learnt a great lesson during the recent fuel scarcity in the country.
“We have actualized the lessons learnt, part of which is to ensure that at any point in time, there should be sufficient products available for distribution across the country.
“Most of our PPMC depots in Ejigbo, Mosinmi, Ibadan and other parts of the nation have sufficient product for distribution now.
‘NNPC is discussing with security operatives to stop smuggling of petrol products across our borders.
“We are working along side with them to ensure safety of our pipelines because we still have some areas in which vandals still disrupt our pipelines,” he said.
Baru said he dedicated the Man of the Year award to all staff of the corporation.
Also speaking, Dr Diran Fawibe, Chairman, International Energy Services, urged NNPC to ensure that the nation’s refineries worked to its full capacity.
According to Fawibe, the oil and gas sector is a major sustainer of the nation’s economy.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dr Samuel Ibiyemi, Publisher, Nigeria NewsDirect, said that the award was in recognition of the good work of distinguished Nigerians to the country’s growth.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that other Nigerians that received awards include the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola and CBN Governor, Mr Godwin Emefiele. 

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