Business
NPA, C RSG To Check Illegal Structures Around Calabar Port
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Cross River State Government have entered discussion on how to tackle the challenge posed by the proliferation of illegal settlements around the Calabar Port.
The Managing Director of NPA, Mrs Hadiza Usman, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Calabar.
Usman expressed concern over the springing up of residential buildings around the port and said that if unchecked, could hamper operations of the port.
“The governor has raised concern over the illegal settlements around the port and he has assured us of his commitment to restraining such settlements from proliferating.
“We have observed that there are settlements that are actually illegal and the state government needs to do something to remove them,” she said.
Usman however lauded the cordial relationship between Calabar port management and the host communities, especially the traditional institutions.
“We appreciate what is being done here. We appreciate the support from the host communities.
“I will single out the Obong of Calabar for his role in ensuring a peaceful relationship with Calabar port management,” she said.
She appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works to expand the federal roads linking Cross River with states in the North East and North Central zones of the country.
The managing director said expansion of the roads had become necessary for easy movement of trucks from the port which she said was expected to be dredged in no distant time.
“We want the relevant authorities to expand the federal roads linking Cross River with other states in the North East and North Central regions.
“This is to enable big trucks carrying cargoes from the port to convey them to these areas.
“We are also working with the Federal Ministry of Transportation to ensure that the coastal rail project is extended to Calabar port so that we can have seamless cargo evacuation.
As we look forward to the dredging of the port, we expect increased volume of vessels coming into the port,” she said.
Usman said that the plan for the dredging of the port was at an advanced stage, adding that as soon the contract was awarded it would be made public.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.