Business
Experts Call For New Seaports
The need for new efficient sea ports has become imperative following the increasing volume of cargo traffic in Nigerian ports, especially in the western ports.
Available records shows that Nigeria, as the largest importing and exporting country in the West African sub-region handles about 70 per cent of shipping business in the region. Over 75 per cent is handled in Lagos ports, leaving the remaining 25 per cent to other ports in the country.
Experts say that the establishment of new ports would enable the country decongest the ports and move economic maritime related activities that are heavily concentrated in the western zone to other riverine areas in the country like South-South and South-East geopolitical zones.
The Tide gathered that Nigeria’s annual cargo through put of imports and exports has grown to about 100 million metric tonnes, thus the need to build better ports facilities that would accommodate bigger vessels in line with the increased cargo traffic.
The new ports, which expert say should not be less than 35 meters draft should be capable of taking bigger ships that moves cargo more efficiently than smaller vessels, so that economies of scale would be achieved in the industry and further reduce the cost of doing business in the country.
Speaking to The Tide, a retired Shipping of Panalpina World Shipping Limited, Ferdinand Toby, said that the present ports in the country are aging such that their facilities need to be replaced with efficient ones, adding that the development of Greenland ports would deepen Nigeria’s position as the maritime hub in West and Central Africa.
“Our ports, were built when the country’s population was below what it is at present, hence the need to develop properly and strategically positioned seaports in line with the present population size and the needs of maritime trade.
Vessels turnaround time for ships berthing in Nigerian ports have remained dismal, so it is time to build more efficient ports to reduce it by 70 per cent”, he added.
The best way to achieving development of Greenfield ports, according to experts, is through efficient public private partnership.
Business
FG Fixes Uniform Prices for Housing Units Nationwide, Approves N12.5m For 3-bedroom Bungalow ……..Says Move To Enhance Affordability, Ensures Fairness
“The approved selling prices are as follows: One-bedroom semi-detached bungalow, N8.5 million; two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow: N11.5 million and three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow, N12.5 million,” the statement added.
Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, stated that priority in the allocation of the housing units would be given to low and middle-income earners, civil servants at all levels of government, employees in the organised private sector with verifiable sources of income, and Nigerians in the Diaspora who wish to own homes in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, explained that several payment options have been provided to make the houses affordable and flexible. These include outright (full) payment, mortgage, rent-to-own scheme, and installment payment plans.
The ministry further announced that the sale of the completed housing units across the northern and southern regions will soon commence.
“Applications can be made through the Renewed Hope Housing online portal at www.renewedhopehomes.fmhud.
The ministry, however, clarified that the approved prices apply strictly to the Renewed Hope Housing Estates which are funded through the ministry’s budgetary allocation, as against the Renewed Hope Cities in Karsana Abuja, Janguza Kano, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos which are being funded through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).