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FG Inaugurates Committee On New Cement Policy

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The Federal Government on Tuesday inaugurated a technical committee to review the implementation of the current Backward Integration Policy (BIP) and formulate a new policy direction for the nation’s cement industry.

The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Samuel Ortom,  inaugurated the committee in his office in Abuja.

The Tide reports that the 14-member committee is headed by Mr Joseph Makoju, who is the Chairman of the Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (CMAN).

Members of the committee are drawn from industries, ministries, departments, agencies and other stakeholders committed to the cement industry.

“The committee will ensure a new policy direction that will build on the success story of the BIP to enhance efficiency and global competitiveness of the nation’s cement industry,’’ Ortom said.

He said the BIP, which was adopted in 2002 by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had achieved its primary objectives and there was the need for a new policy direction.

“The achievements include the creation of two million jobs, and an increase in installed capacity from three million metric tons per annum in 2002 to about 28 million metric tons per annum in 2012,’’ the minister said.

He added that BIP had also attracted over six billion U.S dollars investment into the cement sector and saved over 210 billion U.S dollars foreign exchange previously spent on cement importation.

Ortom said the implementation of the current policy had made the cement sub-sector the major contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) under the manufacturing sector.

He outlined the objectives of the envisaged new policy to include robust promotion of cement consumption and adoption of pricing structure to reduce the price of cement.

“Others include the promotion of cement exportation and the enhancement of skills development and innovation in the industry,’’ the minister said.

Ortom also listed nine terms of reference to guide the committee in “the smooth and timely conduct of its assignment’’.

“They include carrying out a case study of the economic impact of the current policy so far on jobs created, taxes paid to government and foreign exchange savings.

“The committee is also to propose strategies, plans and programmes which will enhance the competitiveness of the cement industry internationally.

“It is to further propose strategies or measures which will increase the consumption of cement in the country, and develop an effective export strategy for cement, among others,’’ he said.

Mr Lanre Opakuke of Lafarge Cement/WAPCO Nigeria Plc, who responded on behalf of the committee, expressed the commitment of the members to the formulation of “a clear policy for the industry’’.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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