Business
New NAMA Boss Sues For Workers’ Support
The newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Mr Nnamdi Udoh has urged the staff of the agency to collaborate with the new management.
He said that such support was imperative to ensure a continuation of programmes initiated by the past management team.
Udoh on Tuesday replaced Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo as NAMA’s Chief Executive Officer.
In an interactive session with journalists at NAMA’s headquarters in Ikeja, Udoh noted that the policy thrust of the former management of the agency was to ensure the safety of the nation’s airspace.
He pledged that his administration would introduce new technologies which would make the country’s airspace safer for domestic and international flights.
“We are affirming that as insiders knowledgeable about the challenges facing the agency; we will readily tackle them headlong
“Our staff should ward off the initial shock brought about by the change of baton and focus on the tasks ahead. Change is a regular thing in any organisation.
“People are bound to react, either positively or negatively, whenever there is a change in any organisation,’’ he said.
Udoh pledged that his management team would strive to work with everybody in peace and harmony.
“So we will stretch our hands to work with everybody and if there are some who do not want to go along, we will woo them. We will use every possible means to carry everybody along,’’ he said.Udoh said that the new management team would strive to understand the make-up of the workers, as part of efforts to reposition them for quality service delivery.
“You can’t change people except you renew their minds and that is what transformation is all about. When the peoples minds are transformed, their attitudes are consequently transformed,’’ he said.
Udoh stressed that NAMA would strive to play pivotal roles in the Federal Government’s transformation agenda.
‘We will re-intensify our efforts to give excellent services with the aid of sophisticated, reliable and more effective technology, in compliance with the conditions spelt out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO),’’ he said.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
-
News20 hours agoRSG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Dev
-
Oil & Energy17 hours agoTranscorp Energy, Renewvia Partner On Renewable Energy Gap
-
Opinion5 hours ago
Ozoro Festival: Tradition or Tyranny?
-
Business17 hours agoNSCDC Discloses Illegal Dump Site In Ikwerre Community
-
Rivers17 hours agoPolice Launch Community-Centred National Day Celebration In Rivers, Today
-
Business17 hours agoYenagoa’s Radisson Hotel Ready December — NCDMB, Other
-
Maritime17 hours agoMWUN Raises Alarm Over Port Security Lapses In Lagos
-
Maritime17 hours agoNNS Hands Over Two Suspected Stowaways to Immigration Service