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Kaduna Airport: FG Installs World-Class Safety Equipment

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The Federal Government has successfully installed safety equipment such as instrument landing system, low level wind share and other navigational aids to facilitate smooth operations at Kaduna International Airport.
Alhaji Muhammed Joji, Chairman, Transit Committee for Abuja-Kaduna Movement during Abuja Airport closure, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen yesterday.
The installation of the equipment is to enable the airport take all types of aircraft as the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, would be closed for six weeks for repair of its runway.
Joji, who is also the Managing Director, Skypower Express Airways, added that the adequate safety measures had been taken to enable the airport accommodate all types of aircraft.
He said that world class Instrument Landing System (ILS), localizer and glide slope had been successfully installed, adding that the calibration of the equipment would take place any moment.
ILS, according to him, operates as ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision lateral and vertical guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals.
“With glide slope instrument, the pilot ensured the aircraft followed the glide path of approximately three degrees above ground level to remain above obstructions and reach the runway at the proper touchdown point.
“The basic structure of the runway with a length of 3,000 metres and 60 metres wide is sufficient to handle a wide body aircraft.
“Therefore, we have recommended that the extended part of the runway be converted to blast pad covered with loose gravel in the event that an aircraft overshot the runway,’’ he said.
Joji explained that the need for Blast Pad arose after the Air France A340 Aircraft number F-GLZO overshot the runway during landing at Toronto Airport, Canada on Aug. 2, 2005.
He told NAN that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), stipulated that a minimum of 300 metres be provided at either end of the runway as blast pad.
According to him, this kind of loose gravels provided to slow down the aircraft is most effective using reverse thrusting and braking system.
The Captain also disclosed that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had commenced the expansion of packing space with the construction of additional apron in the airport.
He frowned at the decision of some foreign airlines not to fly to Kaduna, stressing that it was wrong for foreign airlines to dictate to their host country.
According to him, let us wait till March 8 when the operation will commence to see if airlines will or will not fly to Kaduna.
“Eight international and eight domestic airlines will have to move to Kaduna but Emirate and Kenya airways have already pulled out till further notice.
“The expected increase in activities at Kaduna airport require a total restructuring of the airport and this include but not limited to land and airside.
“During the six weeks closure period, there will be 8,700 aircraft movement to and from Kaduna with an average daily movement of 2,017 aircraft.
“Currently, the passenger movement during the period will be 605,769, which translates to 100,962 passengers traffic, even from other states in the north who normally fly to Abuja,’’ he said.
Joji, however, urged FAAN to stop collecting parking charges from airlines, saying the practice was not in tandem with international best practices.
While calling on government to encourage airlines through formulation of right policies, he said that the country’s business environment was unfavourable to aviation business.
The Federal Government had earlier announced its decision to shut Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for the reconstruction of repair of its runway from March 8.
It had also announced the diversion of all Abuja bound flights during the period to Kaduna airport.

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Maritime

Shippers’ Council Registers 160 Port Operators

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The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) says it has registered 160 Port stakeholders into its Regulated Port Service Provider and Users platform since the initiative began in 2023.
Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Pius Akutah, made the disclosure on the sideline of a sensitisation programme by the commission for port operators in Lagos, with the theme, “Regulated Port Service Provider and Users”.
Represented by the Director, Consumer Affairs, Chief Cajetan Agu, Akutah emphasised the significance of the programme for stakeholders.
He said the sensitisation programme was the second edition after its commencement during the last quarter of 2023.
The Secretary said the 160 registered port operators consist of agencies, terminal operators, shipping companies, individual port users as well as service providers.
“We invited the ports stakeholders for enlightening them on the processes for online registration of Regulated Port Service Provider and Users.
“We have demonstrated to them how to register and how to make payment and we were able to present before them the various categories of the registration.
“The rate of payment is also in the registration. The payment of each group depends on the operation. A shipper pays N30,000, terminal operators and shipping companies pay N300,000, truckers also pay N30,000, while some pay N50,000 and N100,000.
“The Council was able to intimate them on the benefits, because port users benefit more as we help to interface on reducing port charges from time to time”,  Akutah said.
He said  that there was a need to continue to work with port operators to stop delays and eliminate high costs to make the port efficient.
Also speaking, the Deputy Director, Stakeholders, Service, NSC, Mr Celestine Akujobi, said “the sensitisation exercise was important for the council to enable us bring all the port stakeholders together”.
According to him, this is to avoid challenges during the implementation of the council’s responsibilities.
“By the time we introduce sanctions on defaulters, no operators will complain that he or she is not aware of the registration.
“I’m happy with the turnout of this sensitisation. This shows that the operators are well informed of the statutory friction of the council as the port regulator.
“The final implementation will commence as soon as we discover that all the operators have keyed into the portal.
“We are engaging other ports across the country and we’re hopeful that before the last quater of 2024, the council will implement sanctions on defaulting operators”, Akujobi said.
Earlier, Vice Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwards (NAGAFF), Dr Ifeanyi Emoh, said  port challenges were enormous, adding that they originated from some of the government agencies.

Emoh urged the council to look into regulating other government agencies, so that there could be a window through which they can collect port charges collectively instead of indiscriminately.

By: Chinedu Wosu

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Business

Chivita, Hollandia Reward Outstanding Trade Partners At Annual Conference

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Chivita| Hollandia (CHI Limited) leading fruit juice and value-added dairy manufacturer in Nigeria has rewarded its long standing distributors at the recently held 2024 Distributor Conference. The event with the theme, “Break Boundaries Exceed Expectations” served as a platform to recognise and reward the exceptional contribution of the distributors and wholesalers who play a critical role in Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) success and business goals for the year.
The Distributor Conference was held in two sessions. While the morning session featured keynote addresses, industry insights and brand immersion experience, the evening session was a cultural display of elegance and funfair that culminated in the award presentation and recognition of the contribution the trade partners made to the company in the 2023 year under review.
A key highlight of the event was the award ceremony which acknowledged outstanding trade partners in various regions across the country. The awards recognized commitment, dedication, and outstanding performance in areas of sales growth, brand promotion, and market expansion.
Eelco Weber, Managing Director, Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), stated that the company’s success story is incomplete without the strong partnerships it has built with trade partners. “Today, we celebrate not only the achievements, but the collaborative spirit that has made our growth possible” he said.
Bola Arotiowa, Chief Commercial Officer, Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited), in his statement revealed that, the event which was first of its kind will continue to be an annual meeting to enable the company work more closely with its distributors, share insights and action points, help the trade partners familiarize themselves with the company’s goals and objectives for each year, and serve as a driver for mutual success.
“Our distributors are the backbone of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited). Their relentless efforts in distributing our products, promoting our brands, and expanding our reach across the nation is truly commendable. As the bridge between us and our valued consumers, it is very important to reward their hard work and dedication for being an essential part of the Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) family. Together, we will continue to deliver great products to our conusmers which in turn will deliver value to them”, Mr. Arotiowa added.
Speaking at the conference, HajiyaBilikisuSaida, Chief Executive Officer of Smabirm Nigeria Limited, who won the Outstanding Distributor of the Year in North 1 region, and got a reward of two million Naira worth of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) products expressed delight at the company’s recognition, and stated that the awards served as a way to inspire distributors to do more and put in more effort, which in turn would help both the distributors and the company to grow.
Other outstanding performance distributors of the year rewarded with a two million Naira worth of Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) stock include, Sunny Chuks Limited for East 1 region, MRS FA & Sons Limited for East 2 region, Hussakas Ventures for North 2 region, Rookee 1388 Ventures for Lagos 1 region, Pik N Pil Ventures for Lagos 2 region, FaithJoe Event Management Limited for West 1 region, and Progress Family Nigeria Enterprise for West 2 region.
The annual Distributors Conference aims to strengthen the bond between Chivita|Hollandia (CHI Limited) and its trade partners. This collaborative approach fosters mutual growth and ensures the continued success of the brands in the Nigerian market.
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Business

AXA Mansard Backs Female-Owned MSMEs With N1.4m Grant

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A global leader in insurance and asset management, AXA Mansard, has supported three female-owned MSMEs with business grants totaling 1.4 million to boost their operations.
This, the company said, is part of its commitment to women and the Medium, Small, and Medium-scale Enterprise (MSME) sector in the country.
The three businesses were successful at the International Women’s Day Pitch Competition, organised in partnership with SME 100 Africa in Lagos.
According to the Head of Marketing, AXA Mansard, Olusesan Ogunyooye, the competition, which is aimed at supporting female entrepreneurs in Nigeria, “is another way AXA is demonstrating its commitment to the causes of women and stimulating the MSME sector in Nigeria”.
The business pitch competition received numerous entries from women across different sectors, but after a rigorous selection process, shortlisted participants were selected to participate in the competition.
Ogunyooye said “the programme provided a unique opportunity for women from various works and socio-economic classes to showcase their innovative ideas and solutions in sectors such as food, tech, fashion, and fragrance, creating an atmosphere filled with excitement, enthusiasm, and a strong sense of community”.
He stressed the importance of investing in women, saying it is not just the right thing to do, but also aligns with AXA’s purpose of acting for human progress.
He explained that AXA believes the future of women should not be at risk, hence investing in their economic empowerment is a crucial part

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