Business

Ikoku Spare-Parts Dealers Count Losses …As RSESA Re-Opens Market

Published

16 years ago

January 15, 2010

Ikoku motor parts dealers at Mile 2 Diobu, Port Harcourt have lamented over the huge business losses incurred as a result of the recent temporary closure of the place by the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority (RSESA) due to poor sanitary condition of the area.

The market which was shutdown on December 29,2009 was reopened for business on Monday January 11, 2010 (barely 14 days).

Speaking to one of The Tide’s sources a motor parts dealer at Ikoku said the imposition of sanitation exercise on the traders within the two weeks period is a welcome development that has changed the face of the area positively.

He thanked RSESA for their courage to intervene into the poor sanitary condition of the area lately, shifting the blame of the traders woes on the scrap dealers who would litter disused motor parts on the major Olu-Obasanjo Road and drainages thereby causing serious traffic hold up on daily basis, also blocking the free flow of drainages to Ntawogba River.

He regretted that this singular act has caused the entire traders loss of huge sum of money as they could not operate their businesses for two weeks.

Also, Mr Agbaso Wagbara who alleged that the state government has imposed a levy of N1 million monthly on the dealers as sanitation fee and compulsory sanitation exercise in the area every Thursday of the week, urged the state government to review the alleged N1 million levy saying that the possibility raising such amount may not be visible due to lack of a leadership body in the market.

He cautioned that the issue should be handled with care so as not to allow some groups of persons use the avenue to dupe others.

Motorists who ply Olu-Obasanjo Road as well as those who patronise the spare parts market expressed their displeasure over the closure of the road and the market by RSESA saying that at this time of fuel scarcity a journey they were supposed to make in 100r 15 minutes intervals now took them hours because they divert to Okija street before heading to Waterlines or the Garrison Junction loading points. They respectively said that the opening of the road has reduced the burden imposed on their transport business in that route.

They commended RSESA for clearing the scraps and disused motor parts obstructing the flow of traffic along the road as well as improving the overall sanitary condition of the place.

Commenting on the issue, Press Secretary to the chairman of Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority Executive chairman, Mr Olanikan Ige said that the resolve to shutdown Ikoku spare parts market was muted out of poor sanitary condition that besieged the area lately, stressing that scraps and disused vehicles were seen disrupting free flow of traffic along Olu-Obasanjo Road, also blocking the drain lives which led to regular flooding of the area.

He debunked the rumour that RSESA imposed a monthly N1 million sanitation level on the traders, saying that meetings and negotiations are ongoing between RSESA and the traders to fashion out the way forward and the basic amount to be paid as sanitation level. “You know that waste generation attracts payment” he added.

He explained that the temporary shutdown of the market was to enable government and the traders chart a course toward sanitising the area.

The press secretary lamented over the situation where the traders make huge sums of money without contributing a dine to the improvement of the business environment where they make the money, pointing out that no responsible government will allow that. He confirmed that government has declared every Thursday of the week as sanitation day in public places like markets, parks, etc, noting that this is to ensure that business place are kept clean always.

Meanwhile, the Ikoku market has been opened temporarily while dialoguing and negotiations continues, he asserted.

Transport

Nigeria Rates 7th For Visa Application To France —–Schengen Visa

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Nigeria was the 7th country in 2024, which filed the most schenghen visa to France, with a total of 111,201 of schenghen visa applications made in 2025, out of which 55,833, about 50.2 percent submitted to France

Although 2025 data is unavailable, these figures from Schengen Visa Info implies that France is not merely a preferred destination, but has been a dominant access point for Nigerian short-stay travel into Europe.

France itself has received more than three million Schengen visa applications, making it the most sought-after Schengen destination globally and a leading gateway for long-haul and third-country travellers. It was the top destination for applicants from 51 countries that same year, including many without visa-exemption arrangements with the Schengen Zone, and the sole destination for applicants from seven countries.

Alison Reed, a senior analyst at the European Migration Observatory said, “France’s administrative reach shapes applicant strategy, but it also concentrates risk. If processing times lengthen or documentation standards tighten in Paris, the effects ripple quickly back to capitals such as Abuja.”

The figures underline that this pattern is not unique to Nigeria. In neighbouring West and Central African states such as Gabon, Benin, Togo and Madagascar, more than 90 per cent of Schengen visas were sought via French authorities in 2024, with Chad, Djibouti, the Central African Republic and Comoros submitting applications exclusively to France.

“France acts as the central enumeration point for many African and Asian applicants,” said Manish Khandelwal, founder of Travelobiz.com, which reported the consolidated statistics. “Historical ties, language networks and established diaspora communities all play into that concentration. But volume inevitably invites scrutiny, and that affects refusal rates and processing rigour.”

That scrutiny is visible in the rejection statistics. Of the more than three million French applications in 2024, approximately 481,139 were denied, a rejection rate of about 15.7 per cent. While this rate is lower than in some smaller Schengen states, the sheer volume of applications means France contributes significantly to the total number of refusals within the zone.

For Nigerian applicants and policymakers, one implication is the need to broaden engagement with other Schengen consular hubs. “Over-reliance on a single consulate creates what one might call administrative bottleneck effects,” said Jean-Luc Martin, a professor and expert in European integration and mobility law at Leiden University. “If applicants from Nigeria default to France without exploring legitimate alternatives in countries like Spain, Germany or the Netherlands, they expose themselves to systemic risk

Martin added that the broader context of Schengen visa policy is evolving, with the European Commission’s preparing roll-out of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) aimed at harmonising pre-travel screening across member states.

For Nigerians seeking leisure, business or educational travel to Europe, these trends suggest that strategic planning and consular diversification could become as important as the completeness of documentation and financial proof. Governments and travel consultancies in Abuja, Lagos and beyond are already advising clients to explore alternative consular pathways and to prepare for more rigorous screening criteria across all Schengen states

By: Enoch Epelle

Transport

West Zone Aviation: Adibade Olaleye Sets For NANTA President

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Prince Abiodun Ajibade Olaleye, a former Welfare Officer and Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of Vice President of NANTA Western Zone, ahead of the zonal elections scheduled for Thursday, February 26, 2026.

In a New Year message to members of the association, Olaleye expressed optimism about the prospects of the travel and tourism industry in 2026, despite the economic headwinds and migration policy challenges that affected operations in the previous year.

He acknowledged that reduced patronage and declining trade volumes had placed significant financial pressure on many travel agencies, but urged members to remain resilient and forward-looking.

According to him, the challenges confronting the industry should be seen as opportunities for growth, innovation and institutional strengthening.

He stressed the need for unity and collective action among members of the association, noting that collaboration remains critical to navigating the evolving global travel environment.

Unveiling his vision for the NANTA Western Zone, Olaleye said his aspiration is to consolidate on the achievements of past leaders while expanding the zone’s relevance, influence and impact “beyond imagination.” He promised a leadership focused on commanding excellence, improved member welfare and stronger stakeholder engagement.

Drawing from his experience in previous executive roles within NANTA, the vice-presidential aspirant said he is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the association, particularly in areas of member support, public engagement and institutional growth.

“I believe that together, we can take our association to greater heights and build a stronger, more prosperous NANTA Western Zone that benefits all members,” he said, while appealing to delegates for their support and votes.

Olaleye concluded by offering prayers for good health, peace and prosperity for members in 2026, expressing confidence that the new year would usher in renewed opportunities for the travel industry and the association at large.

By: Enoch Epelle

Business

Sugar Tax ‘ll Threaten Manufacturing Sector, Says CPPE

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that renewed calls for a sugar tax on non-alcoholic beverages could hurt Nigeria’s manufacturing sector, threaten jobs and slow the country’s fragile economic recovery.

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer, CPPE, Muda Yusuf, said while public health concerns such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases deserve attention, imposing an additional sugar-specific tax was economically risky and poorly suited to Nigeria’s current realities of high inflation, weak consumer purchasing power and rising production costs.

Yusuf who insisted that the food and beverage sector remains the backbone of Nigeria’s manufacturing industry, said the industry supports millions of livelihoods across farming, processing, packaging, logistics, wholesale and retail trade, and hospitality.

He remarked that any policy that weakens this ecosystem could have far-reaching consequences, including job losses, lower household incomes and reduced investment.

Yusuf argued that proposals for sugar taxation in Nigeria are often influenced by global policy templates that do not adequately reflect local conditions.

According to him, manufacturers in the non-alcoholic beverage segment are already facing heavy fiscal and cost pressures.

“The proposition of a sugar-specific tax is misplaced, economically risky, and weakly supported by empirical evidence, especially when viewed against Nigeria’s prevailing structural and macroeconomic realities.

“Existing obligations include company income tax, value-added tax, excise duties, levies on profits and imports, and multiple state and local government charges. These are compounded by high energy costs, exchange-rate volatility, elevated interest rates and expensive logistics,” he said.

The CPPE boss noted that retail prices of many non-alcoholic beverages have risen by about 50 per cent over the past two years, even without the introduction of new taxes, further squeezing consumers.

Yusuf further expressed reservation on the effectiveness of sugar taxes in addressing the root causes of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.

By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu