Business
Investor Decries Deplorable Infrastructure In Lagos Estates
An investor in noodle products, Mr Chukwudi Uwazie, has decried the deplorable state of infrastructure in industrial estates in Lagos, saying that the situation was driving investors, away from the country.
Uwazie, the Managing Director, HI5 Industries Ltd., said this at the unveiling of the company’s product in Lagos.
He said the infrastructure in Ikorodu, Ilupeju and Ikeja Industrial Estates such as roads, good water and electricity supplies were in deplorable state.
He said the investors were spending huge resources from their budgets to maintain these dilapidated infrastructure and they were eating deep into their capital outlay,
“In Ikorodu Industrial Estate where we operate our factory, there are no good roads linking the estate, the power supply is erratic and there is no water supply.
“Most of the time, our generators work between 15 hours and 16 hours daily; this is taking a large percentage of our budget.
“We are rebuilding the road leading to our factory to enable us to get our raw materials to boost our production.
“Where there is no water supply, good roads and electricity supply, how do you expect investors to come here and invest.
“We know the country has the market and the potential but all these problems are driving investors away.
“Government should fix them to attract foreign investor and make life convenient for them,” he said.
Uwazie also appealed to state government to provide the necessary amenities in the estates to create conducive environments for investors and residents alike there.
Business
CFAO Hits Nigerian Automobile Market With New Land Cruiser Prado
CFAO has added to its fleet of cars in the motoring industry with the recent launch of the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, one of Toyota’s flagship models, alongside a range of others for the Nigeria market.
Unveiling the product in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the General Manager, CFAO Mobility, Port Harcourt, Julius Fasetire, said the model is exceptional tailored for Nigeria’s market.
According to him, the unveiling was an exclusive opportunity for Nigerians to explore the latest in automotive excellence, discover new vehicle options , and benefit from Toyota by CFAO’s end of year bonus.
He further explained that CFAO is an authorised distributor of Toyota vehicles in Nigeria, committed to providing high quality vehicles and services to meet the needs of customers across the country.
“With an extensive network of service centres, Toyota by CFAO offers top-notch sales, service and support to ensure a seamless ownership experience”, he declared.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Business
Marketers Threaten Boycott Of PH Refinery
There are indications that oil marketers may boycot patronising the newly opened Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC), which commmenced crude oil production last Tuesday.
This follows their request that PHRC, under the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), must dispense its refined petroleum products below the prices of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
Meanwhile, contrary to NNPCL’s claims, while reactiing to claims that its petrol price was about N1,045/litre, said the refinery had not released its prices, as products from the plant were currently dispensed to only NNPCL stations.
NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, revealed that the company was still reviewing its prices and had yet to commence bulk sales, saying that its purchasing portal is still closed.
In the midst of this, The Tide’s source also gathered that oil marketers imported 105.67 million litres of petrol into the country five days ago.
The marketers confirmed that NNPC was selling petrol at N1,045/litre, saying that they may be compelled to opt for petrol importation as a means of meeting local demands.
The source exclusively gathered that a total sum of 78,800 metric tonnes representing 105.67 million litres of petrol was imported into the country in the last five days, specifically identified November 23 and November 28.
The NNPC said the 60,000-capacity newly rehabilitated complex of the old Port Harcourt Refinery, which had been revamped and upgraded with modern equipment, is operating at a refining capacity of 70 per cent of its installed capacity.
The company added that NNPC added that diesel and Pour Fuel Oil would be the highest output from the refinery, with a daily capacity of 1.5 million litres and 2.1 million litres, respectively.
There’s also a daily output of Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha) blended into 1.4 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), 900,000 litres of kerosene, and low-pour fuel oil of 2.1 million litres.
It was stated that about 200 trucks of petrol would be released into the Nigerian market daily.
However, claims that the national oil firm’s PMS price was higher than that of Dangote triggered diverse reactions from marketers.
The National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chinedu Ukadike, stated that though NNPC had yet to release any price for the products from the refurbished Port Harcourt refinery, a high price would discourage marketers, because Dangote currently sells his petrol at N970/litre, while imported petrol is around that price.
He, however, noted that there was the possibility that the NNPC would review its prices downward when the Port Harcourt refinery comes fully on stream.
Business
NCDMB, ICPC Set To Mark Anti-Corruption Day
Following its unequivocal and successive ranking as Nigeria’s top performing organisation in efficiency and transparency from 2022-date, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has unveiled plans to mark the 2024 World Anti-corruption Day on Thursday, 5th December at its headquarters, the Nigerian Content Tower, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
The theme of this year’s celebration, according to a statement from the Board’s Department of Corporate Communications is “Effective Whistleblowers Protection Mechanism: A Critical Tool in the Fight against Corruption”.
The statement added that the celebration at the NCDMB is organised by the agency’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACTU) led by the Director of Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr. Abdulmalik Halilu.
The event, according to the Board, will be marked with a workshop that will feature paper presentations by representatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and key officials of the Board.
Another highlight of the day will include the grand finale of the debate competition among six federal government colleges from the six zones of the country, plus a representative from Bayelsa State, which is selected automatically as the host state of NCDMB.
The selected schools are Federal Government College, Odi, Bayelsa State; Federal Government College, Okigwe, Imo State; Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State; and Federal Government Girls College, Kazaure, Jigawa State.
Others are, Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos State; Federal Government College, Maiduguri, Borno State; and Federal Government College, Rubochi, Abuja.
Two students, accompanied by an adult from each of the schools will be camped in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, by the NCDMB for four days during which preliminary debates will be held to determine the best two teams.
The debate, whose grand finale is to be held at the magnificent 17-storey Nigerian Content Tower (NCT), Yenagoa, is being organised to instill the ethics of transparency and public interest in Nigerian students to promote critical thinking, research, and public speaking skills among that segment of the population.
This segment, according to the Board, are generally viewed as potential future leaders of thought and industry in the country, and encourage students to engage with complex issues that underline good governance and democracy in Nigeria, just as prizes will also be awarded to winners.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
-
Rivers23 hours ago
IAUE Students Win 2024 Campus Debate
-
News21 hours ago
You’ll Emerge As General In Politics, Jonathan Tells Fubara
-
News23 hours ago
Nchaka Festival: Monarch Drums Support For Oba
-
News1 day ago
Army Destroys 34 Illegal Refineries, Arrests 11 Oil Thieves In N’Delta
-
Business22 hours ago
NCDMB, ICPC Set To Mark Anti-Corruption Day
-
Rivers23 hours ago
Commissioner Seeks Improved Collaboration For Women’s Development
-
News21 hours ago
Tinubu Leaves France, Heads To S’Africa For Bilateral Talks With Ramaphosa
-
News23 hours ago
Council Boss Vows To Unify People Through Sports