Business

Good Road Network, Critical To Africa’s Border Trade – Shippers

Published

8 years ago

March 21, 2018

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello says good road network is an important factor that determines successful conduct of international trade along African borders.
Bello said this in an interview with newsmen in Badagry yesterday, on the sideline of a workshop on “Trade Facilitation for Seme/Krake Border Agencies and other Trade Facilitation from Benin and Nigeria’’.
The workshop was organised by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in collaboration with Borderless Alliance held at the Seme/Krake Border, Seme.
Bello said that the Federal Government was rehabilitating the road along the border to ease the process of facilitating trade along the border corridors.
“Transport is extremely critical to international trade as it impacts on the nation’s economy as the availability of such services influences the trading environment and competition of trading at the international market.
“The Federal Government in its bid to facilitate seamless trade in the recent past, issued an executive order on the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria and this has gone a long way in resolving that.
“Also, road network is being rehabilitated to ease the process of transporting goods in and out of the country. So with all these, trade facilitation will be easy,’’ he said.
The executive secretary said council, which stood as an agent for economic development through intervention in cost moderation and cargo result would always play its part on inflationary trends in the country.
He urged Nigerians to adhere to the rules of legitimate trading.
“We have the tendency of always wanting to go through the back door and not follow the laid down rules when it comes to trading and this isn’t good in any way.
“Nigerians must always embrace legitimate trade because we must all join hands together to develop the nation’s economy,’’ he said.
Earlier, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mr Kayode Oguntuase, said that there should be a borderless part between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
He added that the borderless part would reduce the teething problems that were presently being witnessed.
“With a borderless part between the two countries, it would solve many problems like the multiple checkpoints, unauthorised road blocks and other challenges.
“Also, policies must be favourable to attract investors and some of the taxes must be reduced as this discourages many trade facilitators,’’ he said.
Our source reports that officials of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Port Heath Officials, Customs Licensed agents and other border security agencies attended the workshop.

Business

NCDMB Signs Mgt Deal With Radisson, Edison…As Board’s 204 Rooms Hotel Open December 2026

Published

4 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), on Monday signed an international management agreement (IMA), with Radisson Hospitality, Belgium and Edison Hotel and Property Development Company with respect to the Board’s 204 rooms hotel and conference center, developed adjacent to the Content Tower, headquarters of the NCDMB in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State.

A statement by the Board’s Directorate of Corporate Communications says the management agreement was signed in Durban, South Africa by the Executive Secretary of NCDMB, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, Executive Chairman of Edison Corporation, Mr. Vivian Reedy and Director of Radisson, Mr. Garnier Erwan.

Giving assent to the agreement, Ogbe affirmed that discussions, reviews, and compliance requirements have lasted for over two years, and that the Board secured the approval of all key stakeholders, including the Attorney?General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN.

“The support of stakeholders ensured that the Agreement meets Nigeria’s legal and regulatory standards.The aspiration of the NCDMB is to deliver a world?class hotel in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State with a fully equipped conference centre—designed to serve the oil and gas industry stakeholders and the Nigerian public”, he said.

He pledged the NCDMB’S commitment to completing the hotel on schedule time and achieving the opening in December, 2026.

“We appreciate our responsibilities—construction quality, pre?opening readiness, funding, safety and security compliance, and maintaining Radisson’s global standard. We will do our best to meet our obligations”, Ogbe added.

The Board’s Scribe charged the Hospitality firm to bring its expertise, systems, and brand strength to deliver a hotel that offers excellent service and guest experience, expressing hope that the partnership with Edison Hotels will create a facility that reflects global quality and supports Bayelsa’s position as an oil and gas hub.

“This project reflects NCDMB’S commitment to using strategic investments to boost productivity, attract investment, build local content, and expand opportunities for business and tourism in Nigeria when completed.

“Radisson Hotel and Conference Center Yenagoa will stand not only as a hotel, but also as a symbol of what strong partnerships can achieve”, Ogbe noted.

In his remarks, Executive Chairman of Edison Corporation, Vivian Reedy described the organisation’s role as a bridge between the owner and the operator, highlighting the group’s intensive experience in the hotel industry, and determination to ensure alignment, transparency, accountability and performance.

“We understand that a successful hotel is not just about buildings. It is about disciplined management, strong oversight, brand integrity, and a shared commitment to excellence.

“Part of our firm’s responsibility is to ensure that the hotel is delivered, operated, and managed in a manner that protects and announces the owner’s investment, while fully supporting Radisson in achieving operational excellence”, he said.

The Edison boss assured that working closely with Radisson and NCDMB’s team, the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center, Yenagoa will become the leading hospitality and conference destination in Bayelsa State, saying it is catalyst for business and investment, and a symbol of quality professionalism and international standards.

He emphasized that the firm has had wonderful successes with Radisson in other locations, even achieving 95% occupancies, noting that the company’s approach is to strengthen governance, support performance, and ensure the interests of the owners are always safeguarded.

“This project represents more than a hotel. It represents a partnership, a trust, and a long-term vision for sustainable value creation. We thank Radisson for its global expertise and operational excellence.

“Edison is fully committed to ensuring that the asset performs strongly, operates efficiently, and delivers lasting value to its owner”, the firm said.

In his speech, the Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, representative by Mr. Wada Ahmed Wada described the signing ceremony as historic and wished the parties success in their business relationship.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Business

FG engages foreign investors at PEBEC Roundtable on business environment reforms

Published

4 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

Senior government officials and foreign investors operating in Nigeria met in Abuja on Thursday as the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) convened the Third Existing Foreign Direct Investors (FDI) Roundtable to address challenges affecting the country’s investment climate.

The high-level engagement, held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, brought together top policymakers and representatives of foreign companies for discussions aimed at improving Nigeria’s business environment and strengthening investor confidence.

The roundtable forms part of PEBEC’s efforts to deepen collaboration between government institutions and the private sector while ensuring that ongoing reforms translate into tangible improvements for investors already operating in the country.

Opening the session, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, welcomed participants on behalf of the Vice President and Chairman of PEBEC, reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to maintaining a stable and transparent business environment that supports investment and economic growth.

In her remarks, the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, said the council remains committed to sustained engagement with investors and coordinated implementation of reforms across government agencies.

She noted that existing foreign investors play a critical role in Nigeria’s economic development through job creation, capital investment, technology transfer, and supply chain development.

According to her, PEBEC’s engagement strategy prioritises listening to investors already operating in the country in order to identify and address operational challenges affecting their businesses.

The roundtable featured presentations and interactive discussions with senior government officials responsible for regulatory and policy frameworks affecting investors.

Among them were the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, Dr. Zacch Adedeji; the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; and the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olutunji Rilwan Disu.

Also participating virtually was Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms and Minister of State for Finance-designate, who spoke on ongoing fiscal and tax reform initiatives aimed at improving tax certainty and strengthening revenue administration.

During the discussions, investors raised technical questions and shared insights on issues relating to security, tax administration, customs procedures and fiscal policy reforms.

Business

MAN warns against illegal recycling of File photo

Published

4 days ago

March 9, 2026

The Tide

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria has warned against the illegal destruction and recycling of returnable packaging materials belonging to beverage companies, following a recent police crackdown on illegal factories in Anambra State.

Earlier in February, the Nigeria Police Force, working with beverage manufacturers, reportedly raided several illegal facilities in Onitsha and surrounding areas, where individuals allegedly destroyed returnable glass bottles and plastic crates belonging to beverage companies.

In a statement on Friday, the Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, condemned the destruction of these packaging materials as unauthorised and economic sabotage against businesses, and hailed the efforts of the police and regulatory agencies.

“The recent raid is the outcome of sustained engagements and intelligence-led investigations and represents a decisive step by authorities to protect legitimate business operations, uphold environmental standards, and deter further illegal activity,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

The MAN DG described the practice “as criminal and a serious economic sabotage… as assets remain the property of beverage companies that have invested heavily in these sustainable packaging materials to protect the environment”.

According to a Vanguard News report, the Executive Secretary of the Beer Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Abiola Laseinde, commenting on the February crackdown on alleged factories in Anambra, stated that, “The recent raid is the outcome of sustained engagements and intelligence-led investigations… a decisive step by authorities to protect legitimate business operations, uphold environmental standards and deter further illegal activity.”

Ajayi-Kadir confirmed the earlier news reports, affirming that the police acted on credible intelligence to dismantle illegal operations involving the theft, destruction, and unauthorised recycling of companies’ returnable packaging materials.

He stated that the association received reports from member companies that some factories were destroying company-owned bottles and crates for resale as raw materials, resulting in businesses losing millions of naira in investments.

“The police, working with member companies, acted on credible intelligence and stormed the factories to crack down on illegal disposal, theft, and unauthorised recycling of the returnable packaging materials of the affected companies, notably returnable glass bottles and plastic crates,” Ajayi-Kadir said.

Ajayi-Kadir added that investigations revealed that large quantities of bottles and crates were diverted from legitimate channels into informal recycling networks across the South-East.

“Member companies identified multiple illegal locations in the South-East where they crush our bottles and crates for resale as raw materials, while police investigations showed that significant quantities were being diverted from legitimate channels into informal recycling networks,” MAN’s DG said.

He noted that in several cases, reusable bottles were deliberately broken and plastic crates shredded and sold as raw materials, thereby undermining beverage companies’ circular packaging model.

He remarked, “These Returnable Packaging Materials are company-owned assets designed for multiple reuse cycles and form a critical part of their sustainability, cost-efficiency, and product quality systems. It’s a criminal activity to destroy them.”

Meanwhile, Ajayi-Kadir warned those involved in the illegal practice to desist, stressing that the association would continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to ensure offenders face the full weight of the law.

He added that beyond the direct loss of assets, the activities disrupt supply chains, raise operational costs and pose environmental and safety risks due to unsafe recycling practices.

MAN urged relevant government agencies to intensify efforts against the illegal diversion and destruction of returnable packaging materials outside the beverage industry’s value chain.

MAN’s DG also called on members of the public to report suspicious activities to the police or to the consumer care lines of beverage companies.