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Oil Firm Commissions Projects In Host Communities

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An indigenous oil company operating Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 in Rivers State, Eroton Exploration and Production Company Limited, has put smiles on the faces of its host communities with projects estimated at hundreds of millions of Naira.
Projects commissioned recently in Minama, Ifoko, Sangama, Ido and Abonnema towns, include ultra-modern town halls, civic centres and an integrated agro-farm industry that have mopped up hundreds of youths from the unemployment market in the area.
Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr. Felix Odungweru, who was the Special Guest of Honour commended the communities for the peaceful disposition and cooperation during the execution of the projects and assured that the Government of Chief Nyesom Wike would ensure that multi-national companies operating in the state develop their host communities.
Speaking to newsmen at Sangama in Asari Toru Local Government Area – shortly after commissioning the ultra-modern civic centre, the Cluster Development Board Chairman, Deacon Chrstian Sekibo, thanked the communities for nominating upright members of their communities to the membership of the board who had worked relentlessly to ensure the success of the various projects commissioned.
He promised to provide toilets for Minama Community in Asari-Toru LGA, in response to the people’s demand for toilets in the community.
Deacon Sekibo debunked the insinuation that youth restiveness prevents multi-national companies from developing their host communities, pointing out that the board received the best of cooperation from the communities youth.
“We received the best cooperation from youth of these communities. Their cooperation is an indication these youth in our communities were hungry for development. We could see it in their eyes, actions and attitudes,” he said.
Also speaking to newsmen at Ifoko Town in Asari-Toru LGA, after the commissioning of an ultra-modern town hall, consultant to the board, Dr Godwin MInimah of Godifems Consults Limited, said the interest of the host communities was paramount to Eroton E & P.
The second day of the programme witnessed the commissioning of the integrated agro-farm in Ido Community in Asari-Toru LGA with offices and staff quarters for essential staff.
In his welcome address, Deacon Sekibo said, “upon payment of the 2015/2016 project funds by the joint ventures partners- NNPC/Eroton E&P, the DAA3 board agreed to invest it in an income yielding project and accordingly settled for an agro business. Hence, the integrated agro farm project.
“The farm has poultry with an installed capacity for 15,000 birds; fishery with capacity for 20,000 catfish fingerlings; snailery with capacity for 8,000 snails and piggery with capacity for 144 piglets and pigs.”
Commissioning of the Ido Integrated Agro Farm and the Abonnema civic centre were withnessed by the Permanent Secretary in the state Ministry of Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Mr Felix Odungweru, representatives of Eroton company, community chiefs and elders, among others.

 

By: Donatus Ebi

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Debt Servicing Hindering Nigeria’s Dev – IMF

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The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has opened up on Nigeria’s socio/economic development issues, saying that the country allocates the majority of its revenue to debt servicing, leaving limited funds for critical development projects.
Disclosing this while speaking during the Fiscal Monitor press briefing at the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington DC, David Furceri, Division Chief of the IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department, emphasised the need for Nigeria to adopt more effective revenue mobilisation strategies to ease this financial burden.
Furceri noted that Nigeria’s debt service-to-revenue ratio stands at around 60 per cent, significantly constraining the government’s ability to invest in social and economic programmes.
Although the debt service-to-GDP ratio has declined from nearly 100 per cent to 60 per cent, he stressed that the country must further reduce the share of its revenue allocated to debt repayments by focusing on broadening its tax base.
He said, “There is a need to grow the revenue-to-GDP ratio.  For a country Like Nigeria, the Debt Service-to-Revenue is about 60 per cent.  What that means is that a larger part of the revenue of the country goes into debt servicing.
“What we recommend for countries like Nigeria, if they can improve their revenue mobilisation, they will be able to reduce the portion of the revenue that goes into debt servicing.
“It is important to broaden the tax base in order to have more revenue and especially in Nigeria to put in place a system and mechanism that is transparent and efficient to assist the government in collecting more revenue”.
He called for the implementation of a transparent and efficient tax collection system, urging the government to improve its fiscal operations to generate more income.
Also, the IMF’s Fiscal Monitor Report released last Thursday highlighted projections that Nigeria’s debt-to-GDP ratio, currently at 50.7 per cent, is expected to drop to 49.6 per cent by 2025.
It noted that the country’s public debt includes overdrafts from the Central Bank of Nigeria and liabilities from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria.
“The overdrafts and government deposits at the Central Bank of Nigeria almost cancel each other out, and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria debt is roughly halved”, the report noted.

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SON To Simplify SMEs Certification Process

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The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has revealed plans to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the country by simplifying access to certification and standards, in line with global best practices.
According to the agency, its initiative at the forefront of this drive is the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme, designed to assist local manufacturers in maintaining quality and safety standards, a key requirement for gaining consumer trust and penetrating international markets.
Acting Regional Director for SON in Lagos, Theresa Ojomo, disclosed this during the annual Walk for Standards event held in Lagos to mark World Standards Day.
She stated SON’s role in facilitating the growth of small businesses through programmes tailored to their needs.
“We have brought it down to the very small micro-organisations, encouraging them that they can imbibe standards”, she said.
She noted that businesses operating with minimal infrastructure could ensure quality in their production processes with SON’s support.
Ojomo explained that SON had made the process of adhering to standards more affordable and less burdensome for SMEs.
“We have brought in schemes that are very low in the economy because they always complained that it’s costly to have standards and quality.
“SON conducts only one inspection per year for micro-enterprises to ease the compliance process. The government and SON are ensuring that as small as the unit is, you can imbibe standards”, she remarked.
The Head of Codex, Nutrition and Tobacco Monitoring at SON, Yunusa Mohammed, reiterated that the organisation was committed to ensuring that consumers get value for their money by enforcing quality and safety standards.
“The ultimate aim for developing standards is to ensure quality and safety. Without testing the product to the requirements of the product standard, there is no way you can give that assurance”, he said.
Mohammed noted that SON had invested in state-of-the-art laboratories across the country to further support SMEs by offering testing services that help small businesses certify their products for both local and international markets.

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Group Partners Police Against Piracy In Nigeria’s Waterways 

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Active Marine Surveillance Coast Guard limited, a private security agency, has stated its preparedness to assist the police and other security agencies to check piracy along the nation’s waterways.
Director General of the Security outfit, Commander Godwin Amare, said this during the passing out parade of over 150 members of  the Coast Guard in Port Harcourt.
He said apart from checking piracy, Active Marine Surveillance Coast Guard limited also provides security at jetties across the state and check pollution along the waterways, as well as mount security surveillance across the country.
Amare, however, said his security outfit needs the support of the state and federal governments in the discharge of its functions..
He said with government support, the problem of insecurity will be reduced in the states.
Amare also stressed the need for the government to engage  the outfit in the provision of security in the state, adding that by doing so, government will also be creating employment opportunities for the people.
According to him, it’s men can also be engaged in the provision of security at strategic locations across the state.
He used the occasion to commend the Deputy Director General of the outfit, Captain Dain Elekima Joyfull, as well as  Captain Emberra Michael Niyikpen, and Pastor Anthony Afakwa, for their support.
Speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Cp Mustafa Bala, who was represented at the occasion by SP Luka, urged the newly passed out officers of the Civilian joint taskforce and Active Marine Coast Guard limited to be professional in the conduct of their duties.
He also pledged to provide them with the necessary support.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Commandant of the Civilian Joint Taskforce, Commander Richard Akpobari, said his group is prepared to support the security agencies to curb criminalities in the state.
According to him, the situation aims to reduce the burden of providing security in the state.

By: John Bibor

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