Business
NIA Boss Tasks ARCON On Discipline
The Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA), and its regulatory body, Architects’ Registration Council of Nigeria(ARCON), have been charged with the responsibility of instilling discipline and ensuring high professional standards in the practice of architecture if architects must remain relevant within the sub- sector of the construction industry, as well as be abreast with developmental issues that border on transparency and discipline among members.
President, Nigerian Institute of Architects, Festus Adibe Njoku, who gave the charge at the Institute’s National Secretariat, Abuja, during a media parley recently, noted that the achievement of the institute and ARCON, since their inception, no doubt, speaks volumes, urging the two arms of the profession to break new grounds on some areas that are pertinent to the growth of architecture profession in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, NIA president has disclosed that his institute has commenced work on a Nigerian affordable housing project for the common man, using local materials in order to make the houses affordable for the low income earning group in the country.
Making the disclosure in Abuja recently, Njoku said: “We want to build a sample in Abuja. The walls might be made of mud and not blocks but when it is plastered and painted, nobody will know the difference.
We want people to know that they can build a house with local materials without spending too much. The materials will stand the test of time.
We will solve the problem of high cost of building for the poor man. It is the best approach to solving housing deficit in Nigeria.” Njoku, who lamented erosion of standards among architects, tasked ARCON to check the trend and instill discipline in the profession not minding whose ox is gored.
He said: “The Institute will channel its energy towards the issue of discipline in the practice. This is one hydra-headed monster that has been gradually eating deep into the fabric of this profession.”
According to Njoku, the need to infuse discipline, professional ethics and transparency in the process therefore calls for concerted efforts by NIA and ARCON, if practitioners are not only to remain afloat in the profession, but to ensure professional standards in the practice.
Commenting on the necessity for collaboration with the Federal Government, state governments, their agencies and institutions such as the political class as well as local and international relevant consultancy associations for the much-needed synergy that would facilitate the desired built environment on sustainable basis, NIA boss said there is need for continuous parley and interaction with mass media more than ever before to showcase interventionist programmes and achievements to the public.
On job creation, he said: “Job creation is one area that NIA more than any other body in the built environment profession, has greater responsibility.
A lot of young architects graduate from institutions of higher learning every year, and most of them end up joining others already in the job market. I therefore enjoin professional architects to use all machineries at their disposal to create job opportunities for our teeming young professionals.”
The president said there is need for continuous education of its members and public enlightenment on their responsibilities to the policymakers, sister associations and the general public.
Business
Food Vendors, Others Relocate To New Site At PH Airport
The raging controversy between the Port Harcourt International Airport Management and restaurants/canteen operators and theirallies over relocation has been brought under control, as the operators have commenced relocation to their structures at the new site.
Recall that there had been serious feud over a directive by the Manager of the airport, Mr. Michael Area, for food vendors and their allies to relocate to the new site.
They insisted that the new site was too distant and hence, would negatively affect patronage from customers, with possible loss.
They further also insisted that it wouldcost them much money to put up another structure, given the economic situation in the country, since the airport management did not build any structure for them, apart from providing the empty land they have to also pay for.
The situation had led to flexing of muscles, which made the Airport Manager to order for sealing of all shops, resulting in scarcity of food, as airport users could not find a place to eat, apart from the only Genesis fast food spot available.
As at last Friday, The Tide observed that most of the food vendors had transferred their structures to the new place, and had started doing business there already.
Meanwhile, customers have started settling down at the new location as they were seen patronising shops for foods and drinks, in spite of the distance.
Few of the remaining structures at the old site, The Tide further gathered, will also be removed as quickly as possible, and the owners are making efforts to get funds for the job to be done.
One of them, Mrs Aka Love explained that she was going to relocate to the new place before the end of March.
Currently, business activities at the old site have come to null, as the place which was usually a beehive of food, drinks and relaxation, has completely winded down.
By: Corlins Walter
Business
MOWCA Strengthens Maritime Crime Prevention
Secretary General of the Maritime Organisation of West and Central Africa (MOWCA), Dr. Paul Adalikwu, has stepped up interaction with the United States Government to lift restrictions placed on some member countries allegedly implicated in illicit shipping activities.
Adalikwu, who led a delegation from the MOWCA Secretariat to the US Embassy in Abidjan for a first leg of the strategic consultation aimed at promoting seamless participation of MOWCA countries in international trade within the global maritime space, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to the best ethical and lawful maritime practices.
Addressing the U.S Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, H.E Mrs Jessica Davis Ba, the MOWCA SG stated the organisation’s interest in promoting the International Ship and Port facility Security (ISPS) code which aims at enhancing security of vessels and their ports of call.
He expressed the commitment of MOWCA in promoting environmentally friendly, safe and cost effective shipping without any encumbrance that may limit the economic potential of member countries.
Dr Adalikwu recalled that at the instance of the U.S. Department of State invitation, MOWCA participated in the 2023 Registry Information Sharing Compact (RISC) Conference in Larnaca, Cyprus, on February 28–March 1, 2023, and a virtual meeting held on June 6 2023, with Mrs Jennifer Chalmers, Officer in change of Counterproliferation Initiative.
He recalled The U.S. DOS willingness to support MOWCA’s effort for preventive maritime security through the establishment of the Center for Information and Communication (CINFOCOM) with the aim to ensure a maritime situational awareness domain within MOWCA’s member states’ waters.
He added that MOWCA under his watch is committed to training and retraining of maritime practitioners and experts to enhance the human capital capabilities of member states.
The CINFOCOM will help prevent transnational crimes committed at sea like sanctions evasion by North Korea and other state actors, who exploit poor enforcement due diligence by ship open registries to circumvent United Nations and U.S. trade restrictions.
By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
Business
Nigeria’s Public Debt Hits N97.3trn – DMO
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has hinted that Nigeria’s public debt increased by 10.7 per cent from N87.87 trillion in the third quarter of last year, to N97.34 trillion as at December 31, 2023.
DMO, in an update data released last Friday, said the increase in the debt stock was largely due to new domestic borrowing by the Federal Government to part finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders.
The office noted that the N97.3 trillion public debt comprises of domestic debt of N59.12 trillion and external debt of N38.22 trillion. The sum of $3.5 billion was used to service external debt during the review period.
“Nigeria’s Public Debt Stock as at December 31, 2023 was N97.34trillion or $108.229 billion. This amount comprises the domestic and external debt stocks of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), the 36 States Governments, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“There was an increase of N9.43 trillion over the comparative figure for September, 2023, which was largely due to new domestic borrowing by the FGN to part finance the deficit in the 2024 Appropriation Act and disbursements by multilateral and bilateral lenders.
“At N59.12 trillion, total domestic debt accounted for 61 percent of the total public debt stock, while external debt at N38.22 trillion accounted for the balance of 39 percent.
“Consistent with the debt management strategy, Nigeria’s external debt stock was skewed in favour of loans from multilateral (49.77 percent) and bilateral lenders (14.02 percent) or total of 63.79 percent which are mostly concessional and semi-concessional.
“Whilst the DMO continues to employ best practice in public debt management, the recent and on-going efforts of the fiscal authorities to shore up revenue will support debt sustainability”, DMO stated.
By: Corlins Walter
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