General
Nigeria Eyes Integrated Road Network to Enjoy AfCFTA Benefits
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria is working towards improving its road infrastructure in order to reap the many benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Transportation, Mrs Gbemisola Saraki, on Wednesday at the virtual National African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation Engagement Series for the road sub-sector of transportation.
According to the Minister, represented by Mr Ibrahim Mohammed, a Deputy Director at the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the road network is easily accessible and most widely used for the movement of people, trade and services.
“To ensure we reap benefits of AfCFTA through the road, the Federal Ministry of Transportation have established a vehicle transit under the public-private partnership arrangement which will be across the nation: Ogun, Anambra, Kaduna, Enugu, Edo and others.
“The borders and state highways will be regulated; we will also facilitate the creation of trade offices in Oyo, Katsina, Ogun, Bornu and others.
“Also, some of the road works are completed or at an advanced stage,” Mrs Saraki said.
Principal Highway Engineer, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Mr Anthony Uruaka called for a regional integration that would boost the road sub-sector, and aid the country in benefiting from AfCFTA.
Mr Uruaka urged the country to address relevant issues such as governance, finance, different vehicle standards, permissible limit for vehicle axle load, standard types of weight bridges used across the road network.
He suggested ways forward including the harmonising of the regulatory instrument and regime, adopting a permit system, instituting a standard operating procedure for law enforcement, and capacity building in public institutions.
He noted that opportunities for the country included enhancement of the contribution to the gross domestic product, investment prospect, employment, reduction in sectoral cost and gateway to developing other sectors.
On his part, Mr Francis Anatogu, Secretary of AfCFTA National Action Committee noted that as far as trade was concerned, there must be a key imperative the country needed to adopt in order to succeed with AfCFTA.
Mr Anatogu said that Nigeria needed to produce what it would export, adding that a nationwide campaign had been embarked upon to sensitise states on the benefits of AfCFTA.
“Each state should identify either products or services that they will project, the country cannot rely just on the removal of tariffs, we need to be far more competitive and this is where the road sub-sector comes in.
“We need to get the road sub-sector right, improve on infrastructure, reduce the focus on oil by expanding to agriculture and these will ensure we gain the objectives of AfCFTA,” he said.
He noted that AfCFTA would catalyse the age-long ambition for Nigeria to be more diversified in export, not just for Africa but beyond Africa.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has been urged to extend the deadline for the payment of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) by property owners in Abuja.
This plea for an extension was asked by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) through a statement signed by its Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Mr James Ezema.
The group said the initial two-week grace period given to the affected allottees, which expired on Friday, January 3, 2025, was insufficient, considering the current economic challenges facing the country.
Recall that after public outcries, Mr Wike, who is the immediate past governor of Rivers State, granted an extension to the owners of the 762 revoked plots of land in Maitama, Abuja.
“We are appealing to the Minister and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to tamper justice with mercy and issue an extension in the spirit of the yuletide and in view of the economic challenges in the country,” the association stated.
It stressed that the extension would give the affected individuals and groups ample time to comply with the directive, thereby avoiding any undue hardship or loss.
“We pray that the Minister and the FCTA will grant the allottees an extension to comply with the directive, giving all the affected individuals and groups enough time to have themselves to blame at the end of the final extension,” the statement added.
The CNPP’s appeal comes on the heels of its recent expression of concern over the escalating hunger and suffering faced by millions of Nigerians due to the economic realities in the country.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has dissociated itself from an unofficial viral statement by one of it members, regarding posters indicating activities of the organisation.
The group dissociated itself from the member in a statement signed by its National President and the National Secretary, Mr Kabiru Ibrahim, and Mr Yunusa Halidu, respectively.
“This post is made by an authorized member, Ado A Ado Kano.
“The opinions and views expressed here are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the group, its administrators, or other members.
“For official statements, please refer to AFAN official contact or platform,” parts of the statement made available to Business Post stated.
According to AFAN, the unofficial posters flying around doesn’t represent the association, noting that Mr Kano is not authorized by AFAN or its officials but those of the author.
AFAN is the umbrella organisation for all farmers’ commodity associations in Nigeria.
Its vision and mission are to assemble all Nigerian producers into one organization, providing a single interlocutor for the government to address agricultural issues with the farming community.
AFAN was formed by the merger of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFA) and the National Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (NAFAN). The merger was recommended by former Nigerian president, Mr Olusegun Obasanjo.
By Adedapo Adesanya
BUA Group has denied widespread reports that its ongoing construction of a 200,000 barrels per day capacity refinery located in Akwa Ibom State is 90 per cent completed.
In a statement signed on Sunday, the group with subsidiaries in food, cement, and energy sectors said that the claims that the structure was at end stage did not come from it.
“Contrary to a misleading report stating that our 200,000 barrels/day refinery is at 90% completion, BUA wishes to advise the public to disregard such misleading reports that did not emanate from us,” a part of the statement read.
It clarified that the project was progressing well and added that it was going to meet the project timeline of 2025.
“As we make remarkable strides on our Akwa Ibom refinery project, we are proud to share that construction is progressing steadily.
“Whilst the refinery is not at 90% completion, we are however on track to meet our delivery timelines in collaboration with our partners.
“This BUA Refinery & Petrochemicals project represents a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s refining capacity and energy security,” the group said.
BUA is also carrying out other energy projects, including the construction of a mini-LNG plant and several new hybrid power plants across the country, which it said are also progressing rapidly.
The group says this will add additional capacity to our over 1,000MW installed captive power generation capacity.
“The public is advised to verify any news through our official channels and platforms so as not to be misled by mischievous persons,” the statement said.
“At BUA, we remain committed to transparency and excellence. As we have consistently done with over 12 of our completed mega industrial projects worth over $ 3.5 billion in the past 10 years, we will continue to keep you updated with verifiable and accurate information only where necessary, and as milestones are achieved.
“We appreciate the public’s interest and enthusiasm for this transformative project as we work together in building a stronger industrial and manufacturing base for a self-reliant Nigeria,” it added.
-
Feature/OPED5 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism8 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz2 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking7 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy2 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking2 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports2 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn
-
Technology4 years agoHow To Link Your MTN, Airtel, Glo, 9mobile Lines to NIN