Connect with us

Business

… Begins Physical Planning, Dev Law Amendment

Published

on

The Rivers State Government says it will begin the process to amend the State Physical Planning and Development Law 2003, next month, to enhance effective physical development in the state.

Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development, Mr Osima Ginah disclosed this, at an annual dinner organised by the state branch of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners’ in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Samuel LongJohn, the commissioner said the amendment would ensure correction of all lapses in the law and ensure effective implementation of the state and local government levels.

Among other contentious provisions, the Rivers State Physical Planning and Development law 2003 which abrogated all existing laws on physical planning and development control and gave the responsibility to the state government through the newly created Urban Development Ministry, still provides for the existence of a Land and Survey Bureau that should be supervised by a Special Adviser.

The Commissioner expressed the state government’s readiness to partner with other stakeholders for effective execution of the physical development policies of government” the ministry is always ready to accommodate suggestions from professional bodies on how to make things work,” he said.

Delivering a lecture titled, “Inculcating the Physical Planning Culture in Rivers State, Nigeria, Challenges and Prospects,” Dr Victor Obinna of the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, observed that post colonial physical planning in Port Harcourt had not lived up to the standards set by the British.

He blamed lack of effective institutional framework for plan-making, lack of political will to enforce existing laws, little efforts to develop crucial technical skills and non-seriousness to development unambiguous standards and regulations for development control as factors that had worked the essential character and unique attributes that made Port Harcourt a Garden City.

Dr Obinna called for sustained funding to implement plans under the new development objectives of the state government, emphasizing on the need to properly define the role of planners in ministry of Urban Development vis-à-vis those in the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority.

In his address, the state chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Mr Chris Ibeakuzie expressed the need for the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority to set out an agenda for implementing the new city plan.

Mr Ibeakuzie recounted the consequences of poor planning on economic growth and development which included social breakdown and exposure of urban population to health risks, emphasizing that a likeable city is informed on the degree to which its citizens engage in decision making on matters affecting their well-being.

 

Amieyeofori Ibim

Continue Reading

Business

NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

Published

on

The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Continue Reading

Business

ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

Published

on

National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Continue Reading

Business

NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

Published

on

In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
Continue Reading

Trending