Business

IFAD: RSG Approves Payment Of Outstanding Counterpart Fund

Published

15 years ago

August 5, 2011

Worried by the recent downsizing of the nine participating local government areas of Rivers State to three by IFAD/FGN/NDDC/Community based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) programme the Rivers State Government has approved the payment of all the outstanding counterpart funds.

This is with a view to ensuring that all the dropped local government areas come back to participate in the programme.

The Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Jokotade Adamu, disclosed this on Monday during the Supervision Mission meeting with farmer groups from the three participating local government areas, held at School-To-Land hall, Rumuodamaya.

She said that the impact of IFAD/FGN/CBNRM/NDDC programme has been felt positively in the three participating LGAs; Ikwerre, Bonny and Opobo/Nkoro LGAs, saying that the rural poor income has increased and some have been sent to schools to improve their education.

The Permanent Secretary lamented over the downsizing of the nine participating LGAs of the state to three, which she blamed on the inability of the council chairmen to pay the counterpart funds.

Mrs Adamu suggested that the only way to commit the council chairmen to participate in the IFAD programme is to deduct the counterpart funds at source, promising that a proposal to that effect would be sent to the state Governor for approval.

The supervision mission team leader, Jones Lemchi said, “the project is for development, if there is no visible progress from none access to more development, more education and more projects, then the programme, will be meaningless. But from all indication, we are making progress.”

In his remarks, the Team leader for Rivers, Bayelsa and Imo states, Prof. Joseph Yayok, noted that if the state can meet the requisite criterion of counterpart fund payment the downsized LGAs could be retrieved, saying that the programme is community based and counterpart fund driven, therefore, it is important, the states and LGAs pay up.

In his presentation, the State Project Co-ordinator, Lawrence Robinson, said numerous achievements have been made since the inception of the programme, saying that two community trainings have been conducted, the programme cultivated a 6.2 hectares of improved cassava variety as against 21 hectares targeted and one livestock project achieved.

He further noted that through the agric projects, about 186 jobs have been created, two boreholes sunk in the communities, increase in literacy level, 252 fishing gears distributed to fishermen among other achievements.

The SPC said IFAD/FGN/CBNRM/NDDC is partnering with the centre for sustainable Development, National Research Institute, Umuedike, Rivers State Marketting Company (RIVMACO) to achieve greater result. He posited that the challenge facing the programme is the 2010 and 2011 counterpart fund owed by states which from all indication, will soon be paid.

Business

Niger Delta Investment Summit Targets $5bn Inflows, 500,000 Jobs

Published

17 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) has unveiled the plans to host a major economic and investment summit aimed at attracting five billion dollars, ( N7 trillion) investments in addition to creating about 500,000 jobs over the next five years.

The Chairman of NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Ogan, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently.

Ogan stated that the initiative is designed to reposition the Niger Delta as a viable destination for sustainable economic growth and development.

He explained the summit would bring together investors, policymakers, manufacturers and business leaders from within and outside Nigeria to explore opportunities across key sectors of the regional economy.

According to him, the event is expected to attract high-profile participation, with President Bola Tinubu billed as Special Guest of Honour, while the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley, is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Ogan said the summit would focus on critical sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and the blue economy, which he described as areas with significant untapped potential.

He called on state governments, development partners and private sector stakeholders to support the initiative, stressing that collective efforts are required to unlock the region’s economic prospects.

NDCCITMA chairman further stated that improving security conditions and increasing economic confidence in the Niger Delta have made the region more attractive to both local and foreign investors.

He emphasised that ongoing economic reforms at the national level have also contributed to creating a more favourable investment climate.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Summit Organising Committee, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said the event would prioritise the growth of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) across the region.

He noted the summit would provide a strategic platform for networking, business partnership and policy dialogue aimed at strengthening the private sector.

Edebiri disclosed that findings from a recent business roundtable revealed significant untapped investment opportunities, which the summit seeks to harness through targeted collaborations.

He revealed that the event would feature exhibitions of viable projects, facilitate business-to-business and business-to-government engagements, and also promote innovations across multiple sectors.

According to him, the expected outcomes of the summit include job creation, increased industrial activity and improved livelihoods for people in the Niger Delta.

To build momentum ahead of the event, NDCCITMA said the body would embark on awareness roadshows across states in the Niger Delta, as well as in Lagos and Abuja, to attract broad participation.

King Onunwor

Business

NPA Targets N1.489tn Revenue In 2026

Published

18 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has set N1.489 trillion as its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) target for the 2026 fiscal year.

NPA says the figure represents an increase of N21 billion over the N1.468 trillion target for 2025, which the agency exceeded with an actual revenue of N1.97 trillion.

The Managing Director NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, stated this during the agency’s 2026 budget defence before the Senate Committee on Marine Transport.

Dantsoho said the authority was set to begin groundbreaking projects for the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports to enhance global competitiveness.

According to him, of the projected revenue: N945 billion is allocated for capital projects, N447.5 billion for operating expenses, and

N90.6 billion for remittance into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

The MD explained that the budget was anchored on the mantra, “Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity.”

Dantsoho said that the modernisation of Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were flagship projects aimed at boosting revenue.

“Apapa and Tin Can Island ports are old and no longer adequate for modern global port operations.

“Apapa Port is about 100 years old, while Tin Can Island Port is over 50 years old, with limited capacity for handling modern vessels and cargo volumes.

“Groundbreaking for their modernisation will commence within the next two to three weeks,” he added.

On the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Dantsoho said all revenues generated by the NPA are paid directly into the account managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

“We do not retain any funds. The Central Bank is the signatory and we must apply for funds whenever needed,” he explained.

Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ports, Sen. Wasiu Eshinlokun (Lagos Central), said the committee’s oversight function was collaborative rather than adversarial.

“Our goal is to work with you to strengthen institutional capacity, eliminate inefficiencies and ensure that every naira appropriated serves the public interest,” he said.

Chinedu Wosu

Business

NPF Disburses ?21.68m To Fallen Heros’ Families …Reinforce Welfare Commitment

Published

18 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria Police Force has disbursed a total of ?21,678,120 to the deceased police officers families in Rivers State as part of ongoing welfare interventions by the force.

The gesture formed a major highlight of the activities marking the 2026 National Police Day celebration in the state, underscoring renewed institutional focus on personnel welfare and post-service support systems.

The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, who presided over the cheque presentation ceremony, said the initiative reflects the Force’s commitment to honouring officers who paid the ultimate price in their line of duty.

He explained that the financial support is designed to cushion the economic burden faced by bereaved families, while also reinforcing confidence among serving personnel about the Force’s long-term welfare structure.

Adepoju conveyed the sympathy of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to the beneficiaries, noting that the sacrifices of fallen officers remain invaluable to national security and public safety.

The police boss further stressed that sustained welfare interventions are critical to boosting morale, enhancing productivity, and strengthening institutional loyalty within the Force.

He reiterated that the welfare scheme aligns with broader reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a responsive and people-oriented institution.

Beneficiaries of the cheques commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families through consistent and impactful interventions.

They described the initiative as timely and compassionate, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating financial pressures arising from the loss of their loved ones.

The families also acknowledged ongoing reforms under the current police leadership, which they said have strengthened trust, improved service delivery, and enhanced the overall image of the Force.

The Rivers State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining similar initiatives as part of efforts to uphold the dignity, sacrifice, and legacy of officers who served the nation with distinction.

King Onunwor