Business

Mark Wants Enabling Environment For Indigenous Automobile Manufacturers

Published

14 years ago

May 12, 2012

Senate President, David Mark, has urged the
Federal Government to encourage indigenous automobile manufacturers by
providing them with a conducive environment.

According to him, the effort will also
enable Nigeria to achieve industrial revolution.

Mark made the call during Tuesday’s Plenary
Session while ruling on the bill for an Act to repeal the National Automotive
Council Act and the Centre for Automotive Design and Development Act.

The bill which seeks to provide for an Act
establishing the National Automotive Design and Development Council passed
through second reading on the floor of the Senate.

Mark said, “Government should encourage
private indigenous automobile manufacturing companies.

“We tend to discourage our local automotive
industry and unless we encourage them this country cannot achieve technological
development. ’’

He challenged the executive arm of
government to summon the political will to implement the various laws passed by
the National Assembly.

“My prayer is that we will have the
willpower to implement all the laws and resolutions emanating from the National
Assembly.

“For us, we are very prepared to push as
much as we can and leave it for those who have the power of implementation to
do so accordingly,’’ Mark added.

In his lead debate, the Leader of the
Senate, Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP-Cross River) said the merger of the two
agencies would boost efficiency, productivity as well as generate employment opportunities.

Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP- Abia) said
that the passage of the bill would spur the new agency to perform its
responsibility efficiently.

“Let the passage of this bill be a
challenge to spur the agency to perform with efficiency. We should not just set
up this agency but we must ensure that it performs, ‘’ he said.

Sen. Shola Adeyeye (ACN- Osun) urged the
Senate to go beyond the automotive industry by considering the merger of other
government agencies with similar functions.

“We can even go further to look at every
ministry and agency to consider where we can merge those who discharged similar
functions.

“We cannot have a functional automobile
industry until we have stable power and a functional steel industry,’’ he
added.

Sen. Chris Anyanwu (APGA- Imo) stressed the
need for government to invest in research and development as key to industrial
development.

“With their merger, I believe there will be
better synergy. “We have to invest on research and development, and shield our
research institutes from politics, ‘’she said.

Opposing the bill, Sen. Olubunmi Adetunmbi
(ACN-Ekiti) said the Senate could only debate the matter after studying the
report of the Stephen Orosanye-led Committee on rationaliation of government
agencies.

“It will be helpful for the Senate to have
access to the Orosanye report, and then we can have a holistic understanding of
the issues.

“This bill and the amendment it is seeking
are cosmetic. What we should concern ourselves with is the value this merger
and what it will add to the automotive industry,’’ Adeyeye argued.

Also opposing the bill, Sen. Ben Ayade
(PDP- Cross River) said there was no basis to merge the two agencies because
they performed different functions.

“Its unfair to merge these two agencies
because they have different functions.

“We should enact law to stop importation of
complete vehicles into the country and compel investor to set up assembly
plants in Nigeria, ‘’ Ayade suggested.

The Bill was referred to the Senate
Committee on Industries for further legislative action and expected to report
to the Senate in two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday observed a
one-minute silence in honour of the victims of the terrorist attack in Potiskum
and the late Nigerian football star, Mr Rashidi Yekini who died last week.

Business

Dangote Refinery Ending Nigeria’s Dependence on Imported Fuel – EIU

Published

18 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals is fundamentally transforming Nigeria’s downstream oil sector by significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products and strengthening foreign exchange earnings, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

In its latest assessment of Nigeria’s fuel market and regulatory environment, the EIU said the operational ramp-up of the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery has reshaped a sector previously characterised by heavy dependence on imported fuel despite Nigeria being Africa’s largest crude oil producer.

The report stated that refinery supplied nearly 80 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic petrol demand in April and has produced sufficient volumes to meet local consumption needs as it approaches full operational capacity.

Describing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector before the refinery as “long dysfunctional,” the EIU noted that the country had relied almost entirely on costly fuel imports while producing nearly 1.5 million barrels of crude oil daily.

According to the report, the emergence of the refinery has improved domestic fuel availability, reduced import dependence, and strengthened Nigeria’s balance of payments position through lower import demand and increasing exports of refined petroleum products.

“The gradual ramp up of the 650,000 barrel/day Dangote refinery since May 2023 has transformed Nigeria’s long dysfunctional downstream sector.

“The country’s main refineries, all state-owned, had been inoperative for years and Nigeria was almost entirely reliant on costly imported fuel”, the report stated.

The EIU, the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, added that the refinery’s attainment of full operational capacity and planned future expansion would further support Nigeria’s economic growth and foreign exchange earnings in the coming years.

It projected that increased exports from the refinery, alongside plans to double production capacity before the end of the decade, would boost Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and forex inflows from 2026 onward.

Industry analysts said the refinery is positioning Nigeria as a major refining and export hub in Africa, potentially reshaping regional energy trade flows and reducing the continent’s dependence on imported fuel.

The EIU also noted that the refinery’s growth has coincided with major reforms in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the introduction of market-driven pricing mechanisms.

However, the report observed that the shift from a state-dominated import structure to large-scale domestic refining has generated resistance from interests linked to the old import regime.

The latest controversy followed the decision by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to relax restrictions on petrol imports despite the refinery’s increasing production capacity.

Dangote Industries Limited subsequently initiated legal action, arguing that continued import approvals undermine investments in local refining and contradict the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act aimed at promoting domestic refining capacity.

Analysts further noted that the availability of large-scale domestic refining capacity has improved Nigeria’s energy security while reducing exposure to external supply shocks and foreign exchange volatility.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise also warned against unrestrained fuel importation, saying such a policy could weaken Nigeria’s industrialisation drive and discourage investment in domestic refining.

Chief Executive Officer of the CPPE, Muda Yusuf, said continued dependence on imported fuel had historically exerted pressure on foreign reserves, contributed to exchange rate instability, and created fiscal leakages.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic

Business

NCDMB Partner Dafinone For Youths Technical Skills Training

Published

19 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The lawmaker representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has unveiled a three-week capacity building programme on rigging and scaffolding for youths in the Senatorial District.

Reports say that the training is designed to equip youths with practical technical skills for employment in the oil and gas and construction sectors, with emphasis on employability, safety, competence and self reliance.

In attendance at the flag-off ceremony this week, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Hall, Effurun, were stakeholders, dignitaries, and political representatives, among others.

Dafinone, represented by his Chief of Staff, Adelabu Bodjor, said the initiative reflects a deliberate political investment in human capital development across Delta Central.

He explained that the training focuses on rigging and scaffolding, noting that “both are essential technical competencies required in industrial operations, construction projects, and oil and gas installations”.

Bodjor added, “The programme is intended to reduce dependency among youths by providing job-ready skills capable of supporting long-term economic opportunities and self-sufficiency. The initiative aligns with Senator Dafinone’s broader development agenda, which prioritises practical skill acquisition as a pathway to sustainable empowerment.”

Also addressing the participants, the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Mr. Teddy Bai, commended Dafinone for sponsoring the programme, describing it as “a timely response to critical manpower gaps in the industry”.

Bai explained that rigging and scaffolding remain safety-sensitive skills required across fabrication yards, offshore platforms, and construction sites, stressing that the programme bridges the gap between certification and practical competence.

He also charged the training consultant, OROH Contractors Limited, to maintain strict standards of professionalism, safety, and discipline, while urging participants to remain committed, focused, and disciplined throughout the exercise.

The Senate Liaison Officer for Sapele Local Government Area, Chief Patrick Akamuvba, , described the programme as a major step in strengthening human capital development in Delta Central.

Akamuvba said scaffolding and rigging skills are in high demand across residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects, noting that the training offers real employment opportunities for beneficiaries

He urged participants to prioritise knowledge and certification over short-term material expectations, stressing that discipline and seriousness would determine their long-term success.

He also cautioned youths against social vices and distractions, advising them to remain focused to maximise the opportunities provided by the programme.

Business

Commercial Aviation: Bayelsa Begins Operations As Pioneer Airline Launches Maiden Flight

Published

20 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State has officially commenced commercial aviation operations recently as Pioneer Airlines operated its first non-scheduled flight using one of the state government’s newly acquired aircraft, an ATR 72-600.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, this week and made available to Aviation correspondents .

The statement said that the initiative reflects Governor Diri’s commitment to transforming Bayelsa through visionary leadership and strategic investments.

Governor Diri in the statement expressed satisfaction with the airline’s operational capacity and professionalism, noting that he was optimistic about a productive and mutually beneficial partnership between the state and the airline.

The governor described the development as another milestone in the state’s drive toward economic growth and infrastructural advancement.

The historic maiden flight departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 11:10 a.m. after taxiing off the tarmac at about 11:00 a.m. and receiving clearance from the control tower.

The aircraft, piloted by Captain M. Ibrahim alongside First Officer Joyce, a female co-pilot, arrived at the Bayelsa International Airport at 12:15 p.m. after a smooth one-hour, five-minute journey.

On board of the inaugural flight was the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who occupied seat 1A as the symbolic first passenger of the airline operation.

RYa1.

Also on the flight were former House of Representatives member, Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters I, High Chief Collins Cocodia, and five aides to the governor.

The launch marks the beginning of Bayelsa State’s entry into the commercial aviation sector through its partnership with Pioneer Airlines, a move expected to boost connectivity and expand the state’s internally generated revenue base.

Enoch Epelle