Business
Mile One Market Resettlement Saga
The first phase of the Rivers State Government funded reconstruction of the Rumuwoji (Mile 1) market in Port Harcourt has been concluded and a process is already on to allocate the 1,000 stalls to traders.
From available records, the last fire incidence witnessed at the Mile I Market occurred on January 6, 2004. This was after a sequence of such other fires, some of which were blamed on arson.
For a long time after this latest disaster, traders conducted their businesses under canopies. In fact, the entire market could be described as a forest of multicoloured umbrellas.
This was indeed the situation of things while the commission of inquing constituted by the then governor, Dr. Peter Odili, strived to uncover the causes of the fire incidence.
It would also be recalled that contract for this first phase of reconstruction was awarded by the Celestine Omehia administration in July, 2007 to Diamond Group (Nigeria) Limited at a cost of N3 billion.
The initial contract scope was for delivery to the state government of 1000 lock-up stalls in a modern, state- of- the- art, multiplex structure on three floors; but based on expert advice, the design was changed to a two-floor structure.
Daniel Iheme is the chairman of Mile One Market Traders Association (MOMTA). According to him, Omehia government did inform the traders union of the state’s intention to rebuild the market and the need for the traders to relocate temporarily.
On assumption of office in October 2007, the incumbent governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi did not put aside the reconstruction plan. In fact, on his maiden visit the market, the governor reassured that the reconstruction work would continue.
According to Iheme, “Governor Amaechi in his speech during his visit assured traders that they will be returned back as soon as the rebuilding is completed.”
Another committee was set up by the governor in 2009, according to the MOMTA chairman but traders did not know the committee members until recently when a publication was made, directing them to pay for the stalls.
The publication made by the committee on Mile One Market stalls allocation, headed by the Rivers State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ken Chikere, making payment of the sum of N10,000 open to members of the public attracted several reactions from traders, who had expressed fears that the exercise might be hijacked by politicians, rather than resettlement of the displaced traders.
The five-man committee for allocation of Mile One Market stalls which also include the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Manuela George Izunwa; Commissioner for Environment, Kingsley Chinda; Works Commissioner Dakuku Peterside and the Urban Development Commissioner, Osima Ginah, had severally reassured traders of the committee’s commitment to give them priority.
In a press statement, Osima Ginah had said that preference will be given to displaced traders, even though the process will be thrown open to all traders, including the displaced traders who must purchase, fill and submit the stall allocation forms.
In his word, Ginah said, “The governor has directed the committee to distribute the stalls equitably to displaced traders. We collated data of genuine displaced traders”.
He highlighted that the committee is working with such data and will ensure that displaced trades are given stalls before other traders, and dispelled rumours making the rounds over alleged plan to short change traders that were displaced.
Barrister Ginah also posited that the completed market structure had 1,000 stalls, while displaced traders of that section of the market are between 650 and 700 traders, and that the second phase of the construction will commence after the first allocation is concluded; and will be given out on payment of minimal fee to government by traders.
But the traders union is strongly disputing the figure given by the commissioner as the number of displaced traders and this has been a source of worry to them as they have said that the displaced traders are 1,304, comprising 654 at Cultural Centre and 650 at Ojukwu field, pointing out that the said 1,000 stalls built by government is not even enough for the displaced traders.
Giving strength to the statement of Osima Ginah, the chairman of the committee, Ken Chikere, in his recent press statement reassured that the allocation of the shops will be transparent in all fronts.
According to him, “The current sale of forms is going on smoothly at the Ministry of Justice, and all stakeholders are being carried along”.
Barrister Chikere in his statement also said that the committee will make use of the registers at its disposal which include the one submitted by Port Harcourt City Local Government (PHALGA), the traders, and the one raised by the committee for confirmation.
He assured traders of the committee’s preparedness to give them priority before any other persons and solicited for cooperation of all stakeholders in the exercise.
According to the secretary of MOMTA, Mr. Uche Marvelous, “Traders are appealing to the governor to clear the air by coming up to address this matter. Paying N10,000 is not the problem, but we are worried on the fate of displaced traders. Let the governor also remember the promise he made to traders on resettling them after the completion of the project”.
Furthermore, the secretary posited, “our fear is that the other traders that are yet to move might create some difficulties, if those at the playground and cultural centre are not reallocated, and how would the Rumuwoji community react on traders if they are not reallocated. That is why we want the governor’s intervention on this mater”.
It is true that there are still uncertainties concerning the re allocation of Mile One traders, but it is ideal that issues be sorted out accordingly to make for meaningful progress in the system.
Corlins Walter
Business
Agency Boss Seeks Improvement In Revenue Collection, Accountability

The Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, has called on the management and staff of the brown water regulatory agency to show renewed commitment to boosting revenue generation, enforcing accountability, and improving operational efficiency of the organisation.
Oyebamiji, who made the call recently while declaring open a retreat for NIWA’s top executives and stakeholders in the industry in Lokoja, Kogi State, stressed the need for improved performance across all NIWA offices, particularly in revenue generation.
He expressed concern over the under performance of some area offices, citing cases where annual revenue figures were as low as one or two million Naira.
“This situation is simply unacceptable. Despite management’s provision of resources, incentives, and training opportunities, the expected results were not achieved.
“Moving forward, stricter measures will be enforced to ensure accountability and drive performance”, Oyebamiji stated.
He further addressed the challenges in debt recovery, revealing that many Area Managers failed to cooperate with the debt recovery consultant appointed in 2024.
He said in some instances, debtors were either untraceable or provided inconsistent financial records, making recovery efforts difficult.
“This negative attitude towards financial accountability will no longer be tolerated”, he warned.
The retreat, which brought together key stakeholders including the honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Chairman of the House Committee on Inland Waterways, the NIWA Board, Management staff, and security personnels, aims at providing a comprehensive review of the authority’s 2024 performance and establish strategic targets for 2025.
Oyebamiji emphasized that beyond reviewing past performance, the retreat would also focus on capacity building and teamwork to ensure that every officer is well-equipped to meet the set goals.
“This retreat is not just about evaluating past performance, it is about strategizing for the future. I encourage all participants to engage actively, exchange ideas, and work collectively towards making NIWA a leading agency in the marine and blue economy sector”, he concluded.
The two-day retreat featured panel discussions, training sessions, and interactive engagements aimed at strengthening NIWA’s operational framework and fostering a culture of efficiency, accountability, and innovation.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Business
NCDMB Scribe Sues For African Collaboration Strategy On Local Content …… Decries Fragmented Implementation
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, has charged sub-Saharan African nations to keep pace with unfolding trends in the global oil and gas industry.
He also charged them to adopt a unified approach in strengthening local content development, advancing industrialisation and fostering sustainable continent-wide economic growth.
Ogbe stated this in a keynote address he gave at the 9th Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC), in Lagos, last Tuesday.
According to him, nations such as Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana have made notable strides in local content development by boosting indigenous participation in the oil and gas sector.
He, however, expressed regret that fragmented implementation continues to hinder collective progress.
The NCDMB scribe called for a collaborative strategy among petroleum-producing nations in sub-Saharan Africa that would foster the sharing of best practices and enhance cross-border partnerships that could drive the competitiveness of indigenous players.
In his paper entitled “Sub-Saharan Africa Local Content Collaboration Strategy”, Engr. Ogbe identified harmonisation of local content policies, human capital development, investment in infrastructure, funding for local companies and technology transfer, as key pillars to Africa’s collaboration strategy.
He noted that “there is a need to develop a robust local content framework that positions the region for long-term economic prosperity”, and that this could be fostered “through the collaborative efforts of the African Petroleum Producers Organisation (APPO), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the African Union”.
The NCDMB boss also highlighted the importance of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) as a critical legal framework that could be leveraged to achieve collaborative local content strategy in Africa, given the free trade area it has created by integrating 1.3 billion people across 54 African countries with a combined gross domestic product of over $3 trillion.
On human capital development, which he described as “pivotal to the successful implementation of local content”, he observed that approximately 60% of Africa’s population is currently under the age of 25, and that this teeming population provides a unique opportunity to fast-track development.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Business
ICTN Not Threat To Trade Efficiency – SEREC … Blames Unregulated Charges, Others
The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has in strong terms countered claims that the proposed International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is detrimental to Nigeria’s economy.
Contrarily, SEREC said rather, it’s unregulated charges, informal levies, and multiple taxation that pose a far greater threat to trade efficiency and port competitiveness.
In a recent publication, SEREC expressed concern over the misrepresentation of ICTN’s role, particularly in media reports suggesting it would “kill the economy”.
The research center emphasised that ICTN, if properly implemented, would add real value to the port system by enhancing trade transparency, streamlining import statistics, and improving regulatory oversight.
“If we are sincerely concerned about charges that are ‘killing the economy,’ then our focus should be on the various hidden and unregulated costs currently imposed on shippers”, SEREC’s Head of Research, Eugene Nweke, siad.
SEREC provided a detailed breakdown of excessive charges affecting shippers.
These charges, according to the Centre, significantly contribute to inefficiencies in Nigeria’s port system, increasing the cost of trade and making logistics unpredictable.
One of the major concerns raised in the publication is the “Seven per cent Port Development Levy”, which continues to be collected despite the port concession regime.
In addition, “various unregulated terminal handling charges, positioning fees, scanning fees, and labour costs” have further added to the financial strain on shippers.
The “ETO Trucking Fee”, set at N100,000 per truck for entry and exit at terminals, is another significant burden, the Centre noted. Meanwhile, “arbitrary trucking costs” which are unilaterally determined by service providers create further unpredictability in the logistics chain.
SEREC also highlighted the issue of “informal payments and settlements”, which it said involved “unreceipted fees” at different cargo clearance points.
These hidden costs, coupled with “security agency tolls” allegedly imposed by government security operatives along cargo routes make cargo movement more expensive. Additionally, the Centre criticised the “state-favourably on the global stage.”
Given these arguments, SEREC is calling for the “immediate implementation of ICTN” to restore order and efficiency in Nigeria’s port system.
The research Centre argues that ICTN should not be grouped with arbitrary charges but should be seen as a “structured, value-adding fee with a clear function”.
Nweke assured that “by the time the implementation fully runs through a period, the effects and contributions to the port system and its impact is felt by all, then, those who are initially in doubt of the effectiveness of the ICTN would have no option but to embrace and appreciate the enabling device (ICTN)”.
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