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Shippers’ Council Unveils Manual for Efficient Inland Dry Ports

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Inland Dry Ports

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) has unveiled an operational manual for Inland Dry Ports to enhance efficiency at the ports across the country.

Speaking at the official launch of the manual yesterday in Kano, the Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Emmanuel Jime, said it would address operational gaps, and boost transparency and accountability in the sector as it would provide detailed processes and procedures for the main activities of the inland dry ports.

“The strategic importance of producing the manual which articulates the step-by-step procedures for receiving, storing, handling and delivery of cargoes as well as highlighting the operations, the responsibilities of agencies and timeline for discharging such tasks was a sine qua non,” he said.

Represented by Director Inland Transport Service, Mr Philip Eduwa, Mr Jime said the operators and the regulators are compelled to abide by the operational processes as contained in the manual.

The NSC boss explained that activities in the operational manual include container import by rail, container export by rail, container import by truck, container export by truck, customs controls, and empty container storage.

Mr Jime said the manual specifically describes the functions and activities of the dry ports, layout design, and align dry ports operations to international best practices.

According to Mr Jime, the manual will be used as a measure of performance by the regulator and will be subjected to future review.

He said the port projects were conceived as part of the federal government’s reform programmes in the transport sector to promote efficient transportation and engender trade facilitation.

Mr Jime said the Federal Executive Council granted approval for the establishment of Inland Dry Ports in March 2006 at six locations across the country.

He listed the ports to include Isiala-Ngwa in Abia; Erunmu in Oyo, Heipang in Plateau, Funtua in Katsina State, Maiduguri in Borno, and Dala Dry Port in Kano State, which would soon be commissioned.

The executive secretary restates the commitment of the agency and the Federal  Ministry of Transport to provide the enabling environment for dry port projects nationwide to operate optimally.

On his part, the representative of the Minister of Transport, Mr Ewoche Victor, a Deputy Director in the ministry, said the projects were developed through Public Private Partnership using the build, own, operate, and transfer (BOOT) model.

He said the manual was based on best international practices adapted to the local context, but not fully customised for each dry port and each port would have its own specialities.

The Minister noted that effective operations of a dry port require seamless coordination between the seaport and other key stakeholders involved in port operations.

He described the launching of the manual as a milestone to fast-track the development and operations of IDP projects in the country.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Oyo Rehabilitates Agbowo Road, Three Others

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Agbowo road Ibadan

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Four major roads are being rehabilitated by the Oyo State government to improve transportation infrastructure and enhance mobility.

The chairman of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), Mr Busoye Ogunlade, in a statement in Ibadan last Friday, said the roads should be completed in less than eight weeks.

The roads include Bashorun Oluwo-nla road, Agbowo road, Eleyele-Water road, and Zion plaza-Olusoji road.

“Work has commenced on some of these roads, as we speak. However, repairs on other roads will commence soon,” Mr Ogunlade said, advising commuters to follow temporary traffic diversions and cooperate with the ongoing construction efforts.

The OYSROMA chief said the ongoing rehabilitation was based on fund availability and the economic viability of those roads, noting that the move is in line with the commitment of the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde to make the state more attractive to both local and foreign investors.

“Governor Seyi Makinde has given us the mandate to rehabilitate roads across the State, and we have mobilized Engineers, through direct labour to these sites,” he said, adding that to make the exercise have the desired impact on the people, the agency has gone across all zones and picked critical roads that need rehabilitation across the state.

“This is borne out of the complaints we received during zonal town hall meetings from residents of the state. Our Engineers have swung into action and have taken measurements of critical roads,” he said.

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UNILAG Honours AXA Mansard Chairman Kola Adesina With Doctoral Degree

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kola adesina unilag

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The chairman of AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Mr Kola Adesina, has been bestowed with an honourary doctorate degree by the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The prestigious higher institution of learning said the degree was given to the prominent Nigerian businessman because of his exceptional contributions as a “globally renowned entrepreneur with extensive experience spanning academia, finance, trade, diplomacy, and the energy sector.”

The conferment ceremony at UNILAG’s main auditorium last week was graced by dignitaries from various sectors, including academia, finance, and industry, who gathered to honour Mr Adesina’s remarkable achievements and contributions.

The chief executive of AXA Mansard, Mr Kunle Ahmed, lauded Mr Adesina’s virtues and emphasised that the honorary degree is a testament to his exemplary leadership and relentless pursuit of excellence.

“Mr Adesina’s visionary approach has been pivotal in driving our company’s success and positively influencing our ambition to transition from a payer to a partner.

“We are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and this well-deserved recognition,” Mr Ahmed remarked.

Also, the Chief Client Officer of AXA Mansard, Ms Rashidat Adebisi, congratulated her chairman on the recognition, noting that it underscores Mr Adesina’s significant impact in Nigeria and Africa’s growth and development.

“As a business, we have greatly benefited from Mr Adesina’s vast expertise and wealth of experience. His outstanding leadership and dedication to our nation’s progress are truly remarkable.

“We are immensely proud to be associated with him and celebrate this milestone. We believe this honour will inspire Mr Adesina to continue being a beacon of progress in Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape,” she stated.

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20,000 Nigerian Armed Forces Personnel to Receive Consumer Credit

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Nigerian Armed Forces

By Adedapo Adesanya

As part of initiatives to celebrate the just concluded Armed Forces Remembrance Day, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (Credicorp) has kicked off a consumer credit fund for personnel of the armed forces in a partnership with Fewchore Finance.

The scheme aims to benefit 20,000 armed forces personnel in its first phase.

This fund – kicking off with the Armed Forces Remembrance Day – advances President Bola Tinubu’s vision to extend consumer credit access to over 50 per cent of working Nigerians by 2030.

This demonstrates a specific commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerian soldiers who protect and serve the nation.

Via affordable consumer credit, members of the Armed Forces can now acquire life-enhancing household assets and meet immediate financial challenges – and at even better terms for locally manufactured goods.

According to a press release, the programme aims to ease their financial burden, boost morale, and enhance the well-being of their families, most of whom they leave for the battlegrounds.

President Tinubu has long championed the welfare of uniformed personnel, and this initiative reflects his commitment to creating meaningful support systems.

“This programme shows Mr. President’s commitment to supporting those who protect and serve our nation,” said Mr Uzoma Nwagba, Managing Director/CEO of Credicorp. “By making credit accessible to armed forces personnel, we not only honor their service but also advance the President’s goal of using consumer credit for much better lives.”

On his part, the chief executive of Fewchore Finance, Mr Sunkanmi Balogun, added, “We are proud to support the courageous men and women of the armed forces. At Fewchore Finance, we have a long-standing relationship with the Armes Forces and remain committed to creating solutions that address real needs.”

The initiative, starting with a first phase targeting 20,000 beneficiaries, will involve all branches of the armed forces.

Phased implementation will ensure equitable access, coordinated with the respective Accounts and Budget departments of the forces.

The programme launched at the last Armed Forces Remembrance Day carries deep symbolic meaning, showcasing the nation’s gratitude and dedication to the brave men and women who protect its peace and security.

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