Business

Nigeria Gets New Procurement Software

Published

14 years ago

November 19, 2012

Efforts to minimise bureaucratic bottlenecks in procurement procedure received a boost last Tuesday as a software known as public procure 1.0 was launched in Abuja.

The software is one of the four new software application products launched by Domino Information Company Limited.

The other three software products are Domino e-gov toolkits, Business-procure and the Business manager tender toolkit.

Director General of the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Cleopas Angaye,at the launch described the product as a solution to the challenges of implementing public procurement processes in Nigeria.

The director general said government was interested in the software as it complements its efforts to promote the development of local software.

Angaye said government had also directed the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to patronise the made-in-Nigeria software to further encourage indigenous software development.

He said government was poised to promote robust procurement software from the start to the end.

“We want to actually look at robust procurement software from start to finish because we are in a digital world, so most of these things should be done in real time.

“So we need a software that can take a person from the beginning to the end.

“If this software is doing that, we need to authenticate such a software so that the proper software can be deployed in the country.

“This is why government is interested in the software to make sure that it is properly tested.

“The criteria in which it is tested, the platform in which it is implemented, the boundary of the software and the people which are targeted to use the software.

Angaye said government had also put in other measure to encourage the development of local software by setting up research grant which he said had been accessed by many computer scientists

According to him, government had also set up some testing centres to ensure credibility of the software developed locally.

“There are testing centres set up across the country, and we are trying to bring up a new one in Kano.

“So when new software comes up, it will be properly tested to ensure that it meets international standards.

The Chief Executive Officer of Domino Information Company Limited Uzo Nduka,said the development of the software application was targeted at attracting investors into the country as well as enhancing the operation of the small scale enterprises in the country.

He explained that the software known as ‘Domino public procure’ was to serve as a solution to the challenges of implementing public procurement process in Nigeria in line with Nigerian laws.

According to him, the Domino e-gov toolkit 1.0 will allow for transparent engagement and full participation of all stakeholders at all stages of programme or project development, selection, conceptualisation, design and implementation.

He said that the Domino business-procure 1.0, would help SMEs reduce the cost of doing business and enhance accountability and transparency.

He stated that the business manager tender toolkit software application would help to deliver information about contract opportunities through phone or laptops.

Business

FG Approves 4 New Channel Management Firms For Seaports

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved four new channel management companies for seaports across the country in a move aimed at improving vessel navigation and port operations.

Speaking at the recently concluded Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM), former General Manager, Marine and Operations, Capt. Ebubeogu Ihenacho, disclosed that there would be changes in the ownership of the Lagos Channel Management Company Limited and the Bonny Channel Management Company.

According to Ihenacho, the four channels serving Nigeria’s major port clusters will have different channel management companies as approved by the FEC.

He said a new company had been approved to manage the Lagos port channel, with a change of name, while the Calabar Channel would be managed by the Calabar Channel Management Company.

He added that Bonny Channel Management Company had also undergone a change of ownership.

On the Warri Channel, Ihenacho said the Federal Government had approved China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and two other companies to form a consortium to manage the Escravos Channel.

He said: “For Warri, it was approved for China Harbour Engineering Company, CHEC, and two other companies, who would now form a consortium.

That consortium will now form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with the Nigerian Ports Authority to manage the Escravos Channel.”

Recall that the management of the NPA had declined to renew the concessions of the Lagos Channel Management Company Limited and the Bonny Channel Management Company, opting instead for six-month extensions of the existing arrangements.

By; Enoch Epelle

Business

RIRS Warns Against Unauthorised Tax Collection

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) has warned motorists, transport operators and business owners against paying taxes, levies or charges to Unauthorised persons and organisations, insisting that only the Service and its duly appointed agents are legally empowered to collect taxes on behalf of the state government.

The Service gave the warning in a public notice dated October 21, 2026, signed by its Executive Chairman, Sir Israel O. Egbunefu, FCTI, in which it clarified that the Rivers State Ministry of Transport was not authorised by the state government to collect road tax or any other tax, levy or charge from motorists and transport operators.

RIRS also specifically disowned Explore Strategic Alliance Ltd, located at No. 7 Rumuodaolu Market Road, Port Harcourt, declaring the company had not been appointed or authorised by either the state government or the Service to collect Motor Vehicle Transport (MOT) tickets or any other tax on its behalf.

The revenue agency consequently cautioned members of the public against making payments to the company or any of its staff, stressing that anyone who ignored the warning would do so at their own risk.

It reaffirmed that only the legally authorised agency responsible for tax collection in Rivers State and the appointed agents that would carry out such duties in accordance with the law.

The Service urged taxpayers to demand official identification from anyone claiming to be its tax agent and verify the person’s credentials directly with RIRS before making payments.

It further warned that individuals or groups found impersonating tax consultants, agents or their representatives to collect Unauthorised taxes would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

RIRS also called on members of the public to report suspicious persons and activities relating to Unauthorised tax collection to the Service for appropriate action.

The agency advised taxpayers seeking clarification or assistance to visit any of its offices or contact it through its official email address, info@riversbirs.gov.ng.

The Service reiterated its commitment to protecting taxpayers, promoting voluntary compliance and safeguarding the integrity of tax administration in Rivers State.

By: King Onunwor

Business

Bayelsa consumers Groan Over Inflation As Traders Remain Helpless Over Low Patronage

Published

2 days ago

October 26, 2026

The Tide

Consumers and traders at the Swali ultramodern market in Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State have continued to groan over high prices of commodities and poor Patronage due to cost-push inflation.

The Tide reports that in the past weeks prices of goods and services in Yenagoa metropolis has experienced increase.

Notable services like transportation have also increased lately due to increase in the pump price of fuel that has recently further exacerbated inflation in the prices of staple foods like rice, beans, garri and others.

Speaking with The Tide on a market survey, a trader, Mrs Tovie Barakabo said a bag of bean which sold between N120,000-N130, 000 now goes for N140,000-N145,000.

Mrs Barakabo also hinted that the only commodities whose price has not gone up was price of millet which sells N60,000, while big bag of garri now sells for N30,000.

The Tide further gathered from other inside Source that 25 litres of Kings cooking oil currently sells N75,000 as against the former price of N57,000.

Other commodities such as delicious vegetable oil now goes for N68,000, Pure vegetable oil currently goes for N66, 000, while spaghetti is now N18,800 per bag.

The market survey also discovered that Sonnia tomato mix sells N75,609, while a big and small basket of fresh tomatoes are sold for N30,000 and N6,500 respectively.

A disappointed custom, Mrs Juliet Domo who fielded questions from The Tide expressed her worries over the inflation, calling on government to take decisive stands against inflation.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa