General
NIWA Targets Increased Contribution to Nigeria GDP
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has pledged to work tirelessly to harness ocean resources in raising the authority’s contribution to the Nigerian economy by increasing its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
This was disclosed by NIWA’s Managing Director, Mr Bola Oyebamiji, in a chat with newsmen shortly after the organisation’s 3-Day Special Retreat held at Edge Drive Hotel, Lokoja, Kogi.
The managing director explained that the agency’s work would be targeted at boosting the nation’s economy while ensuring safe water transportation.
The authority’s general and area managers signed a bond with the managing director at the retreat towards better performance and service delivery as public servants.
“We have to do this because the honourable minister of marine and blue economy with the permanent secretary signed a performance bond with the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“This bond is to measure performance, evaluate performance, and see that all the ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria key into the vision of the Federal Government.
“At the same time, they are expected to achieve the best in line with the thematics of Mr President.
“Therefore, my expectations from NIWA staff that have already signed the performance bond with me is for them to achieve the best for NIWA in all areas.
“This is because Marine and Blue Economy is a ministry that is going to carry out the commercial leg of governance, and I can assure you that the minister is positioned for that,” he said.
Mr Oyebamiji said that the authority would partner with investors, local and foreign, to drive the opportunities in the ministry, and boost the economy by generating huge revenue.
He said that this was the reason President Bola Tinubu created the ministry was to add value to the Nigerian economy, especially at a crucial time when the country needed revenue.
He noted that there were going to be a lot of benefits to the citizens, such as employment creation and boosting the nation’s GDP, saying, “The ministry is going to add value, especially in the areas of fisheries, aquaculture, and so many others that have been planned in its roadmap.
“I can assure you that in the next couple of months and years, you will see the indicators that the ministry is firmly rooted to drive the Nigerian economy.”
Mr Oyebamiji stressed that it expected the staff to achieve the best for the Ministry, while also achieving the best for Nigeria’s desired growth and development, stating that in his effort to reposition NIWA, the first thing that agitated his mind was safety.
According to him, in the last couple of months, the agency has seen a series of boat mishaps.
“I can tell you that there is going to be a committee going forward that is going to handle safety, registration of boats and partnering with the local boat builders to ensure standard boats.
“We have drivers of these boats that are trained, and we have a rescue committee that is agile, vibrant, and can be tested anytime for the safe movement of people and goods on the waterways, ” he said.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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