Business
Ports Concession Aids Revenue
The Managing Director,
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi, has declared that the port concession exercise of 2006 has affected the ports revenue positively.
Abdullahi made this assertion in a media chat recently and noted that the port concession by the Federal Government to private terminal operators, otherwise known as concessionaires is a huge success.
According to him, “Nigeria Ports are highly competitive. Our port is relatively competitive and if you ask the terminal operators, a lot of people are making money, otherwise there would not be so many applications for people wanting to set up their seaports in Nigeria”.
He said that port operators had become more efficient as they are assigned to take their own responsibilities, adding that, “The volume has increased, the concessionaires themselves, now have to go out to look for market, which increase the volume of business”.
The NPA boss asserted that the notion that the port concession was not a success is not true, stressing that, “The Port concession is a success and I think there are challenges which I believe could be surmounted “.
Abdullahi further noted that the current Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) foreign exchange policy, which restricts access to forex by importers of some selected 41 items has affected volumes handled at the ports.
He opined further that, “The maritime sector is dependent on import and export of goods. So definitely, there is less business now in the ports, less business means less revenue for us. That in itself is a very big challenge”.
He also condemned the activities of smugglers who prefer to import their goods through neighbouring Cotonou Port in order to evade government, import policy or shortchange the nation of its legitimate revenue.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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