Business
RSNC To Partner On TB Sensitisation Programme
The management of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), says it is ready to partner with any group interested in sensitising issues on tuberculosis (TB) to reduce the scourge in our society.
The General manager of the corporation, Mr Celestine Ogolo made the remarks last Friday when the Rivers State chapter of TB Network paid him a courtesy visit in his office. Mr Ogolo noted that the high incidence of the disease would better be addressed if enough information concerning it was properly publicised as to guide the people on what steps to take.
He said ignorance remained a worrying factor on TB issues especially at the local areas and advised the network to expand its frontiers to the grassroots and assured that The Tide would give needed encouragement to the Network in covering its programmes and assisting in printing their materials at subsidised rate as part of the corporation’s contribution towards improving the health of the people. He explained that the corporation with experienced hands remained the printers first choice in printing quality jobs at comparatively better charges and maintained that the corporation would strive towards sustaining the feat achieved as the longest existing state-owned newspaper in Nigeria.
“I assure you of good coverage and will partner with you to promote your efforts,” the GM said.
Earlier, the Focal Person of the state chapter of TB Network, Mr Messiah Fyneface Muzan said the group’s visit on the general manager of the corporation was part of its advocacy programmes and solicited for the support of the printing company to actualise its programmes.
Mr Muzan described TB as being worst than the dreaded HIV, stressing the need for all hands to be on deck towards finding solution to the disease which he said had increased in our society.
He particularly appealed for publication of its programmes in its publications especially through the corporation’s well established health columns. The group’s focal person disclosed that through its sub receptive (Health Alife Foundation) it had been able to raise about 150 volunteers in 10 local government areas of the state.
He stated that the volunteers who had been educated on TB issues visit the local areas to advise people especially on the early signs of TB and direct those with symptoms of the disease to the centre for free tests and possibly provide free medication to those whose tests proved positive.
Mr Muzan said preparation was on high level towards organising this year’s World TB Day which comes up on 24th of this month. he further noted that the theme for this year’s TB Day is “stopping TB in our life time” and urged all and sundry to show active concern to the issue of TB.
Chris Oluoh
Business
Food Vendors, Others Relocate To New Site At PH Airport
The raging controversy between the Port Harcourt International Airport Management and restaurants/canteen operators and theirallies over relocation has been brought under control, as the operators have commenced relocation to their structures at the new site.
Recall that there had been serious feud over a directive by the Manager of the airport, Mr. Michael Area, for food vendors and their allies to relocate to the new site.
They insisted that the new site was too distant and hence, would negatively affect patronage from customers, with possible loss.
They further also insisted that it wouldcost them much money to put up another structure, given the economic situation in the country, since the airport management did not build any structure for them, apart from providing the empty land they have to also pay for.
The situation had led to flexing of muscles, which made the Airport Manager to order for sealing of all shops, resulting in scarcity of food, as airport users could not find a place to eat, apart from the only Genesis fast food spot available.
As at last Friday, The Tide observed that most of the food vendors had transferred their structures to the new place, and had started doing business there already.
Meanwhile, customers have started settling down at the new location as they were seen patronising shops for foods and drinks, in spite of the distance.
Few of the remaining structures at the old site, The Tide further gathered, will also be removed as quickly as possible, and the owners are making efforts to get funds for the job to be done.
One of them, Mrs Aka Love explained that she was going to relocate to the new place before the end of March.
Currently, business activities at the old site have come to null, as the place which was usually a beehive of food, drinks and relaxation, has completely winded down.
By: Corlins Walter
Business
MOWCA Strengthens Maritime Crime Prevention
Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has stepped up interaction with the United States Government to lift restrictions placed on some member countries allegedly implicated in illicit shipping activities.
Adalikwu, who led a delegation from the MOWCA Secretariat to the US Embassy in Abidjan for a first leg of the strategic consultation aimed at promoting seamless participation of MOWCA countries in international trade within the global maritime space, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to the best ethical and lawful maritime practices.
Addressing the U.S Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, H.E Mrs Jessica Davis Ba, the MOWCA SG stated the organisation’s interest in promoting the International Ship and Port facility Security (ISPS) code which aims at enhancing security of vessels and their ports of call.
He expressed the commitment of MOWCA in promoting environmentally friendly, safe and cost effective shipping without any encumbrance that may limit the economic potential of member countries.
Dr Adalikwu recalled that at the instance of the U.S. Department of State invitation, MOWCA participated in the 2023 Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC) Conference in Larnaca, Cyprus, on February 28–March 1, 2023, and a virtual meeting held on June 6 2023, with Mrs Jennifer Chalmers, Officer in change of Counterproliferation Initiative.
He recalled The U.S. DOS willingness to support MOWCA’s effort for preventive maritime security through the establishment of the Center for Information and Communication (CINFOCOM) with the aim to ensure a maritime situational awareness domain within MOWCA’s member states’ waters.
He added that MOWCA under his watch is committed to training and retraining of maritime practitioners and experts to enhance the human capital capabilities of member states.
The CINFOCOM will help prevent transnational crimes committed at sea like sanctions evasion by North Korea and other state actors, who exploit poor enforcement due diligence by ship open registries to circumvent United Nations and U.S. trade restrictions.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Business
Nigeria’s Public Debt Hits N97.3trn – DMO
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has hinted that Nigeria’s public debt increased by 10.7 per cent from N87.87 trillion in the third quarter of last year, to N97.34 trillion as at December 31, 2023.
DMO, in an update data released last Friday, said the increase in the debt stock was largely due to new domestic borrowing by the Federal Government to part finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders.
The office noted that the N97.3 trillion public debt comprises of domestic debt of N59.12 trillion and external debt of N38.22 trillion. The sum of $3.5 billion was used to service external debt during the review period.
“Nigeria’s Public Debt Stock as at December 31, 2023 was N97.34trillion or $108.229 billion. This amount comprises the domestic and external debt stocks of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the 36 States Governments, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“There was an increase of N9.43 trillion over the comparative figure for September, 2023, which was largely due to new domestic borrowing by the FGN to part finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders.
“At N59.12 trillion, total domestic debt accounted for 61 percent of the total public debt stock, while external debt at N38.22 trillion accounted for the balance of 39 percent.
“Consistent with the debt management strategy, Nigeria’s external debt stock was skewed in favour of loans from multilateral (49.77 percent) and bilateral lenders (14.02 percent) or total of 63.79 percent which are mostly concessional and semi-concessional.
“Whilst the DMO continues to employ best practice in public debt management, the recent and on-going efforts of the fiscal authorities to shore up revenue will support debt sustainability”, DMO stated.
By: Corlins Walter
-
Oil & Energy3 days ago
Nigeria Hosts Global Confab On Oilfield Sustainability, Hydrocarbon Accounting
-
Sports3 days ago
Iheanacho, Dessers Applaud Finidi’s Tactics
-
Rivers3 days ago
Group Begins Massive Support Drive For Fubara
-
News1 day ago
Reps Member Pledges Support, Loyalty To Fubara, Joins SIMplified Movement
-
Maritime3 days ago
Illegal Migration: NIS, NIWA Move To Strengthen Partnership
-
News3 days ago
Insecurity: Arrest Gumi Within Seven Days, Group Tells FG
-
Rivers1 day ago
Bonny Ward 12 Endorses Council Boss For Second Term
-
News1 day ago
New Kalabari Monarch To Emerge Soon -Regent