Metro
POS Business Booms In PH
In the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, several measures have been devised by the people to obviate the hurdles and other setbacks of the pandemic, especially in fuelling their daily existence. One of the most affected areas in coping with the Covid-19 experience had been in financial transactions, especially with the major financial institutions, shutting their doors, to avoid both structural and institutional infiltration and flaws.
The PH Metro investigations reveal that in recent times, the attitudes of financial institutions, mostly banks, have been that of restraint in services, to guard against unpleasant consequences that are fallouts of the system. There is therefore a routine inconvenience on the part of the people to crowd at various banks branches to propel their daily financial transactions.
But the populace seemed equipped by the Covid-19 experience to create alternative means of easing their financial transactions, addressing social defects and making money.
The Point of Sales (POS) service is now the popular and most regular measure of easing financial transactions.
Presently, almost all the streets of Port Harcourt are dotted with decorated stands and outlets, with intense business activities ongoing in this aspect of mobile banking.
The operator of Henzy POS outlet in Port Harcourt, Nkechi Onyeije, who spoke with The Tide Metro, said the business required authorization from banks to operate.
Onyeije is excited about the business because it opens her eyes to financial propriety.
“I love to do the business because it teaches me how to manage money, and how to render services to the public, I love to see people relieved of their stress and also make money from the process” .
Asked her challenges in the business, she said; “the challenges are mostly that of network, which is common, stamped duty charges by banks and effective capital base.
She explained that every transaction of ten thousand Naira, attracts a fine of two hundred naira, and in some cases three hundred naira.
Another operator of the POS business in Port Harcourt, Mr Gibson Doone, said he got involved in the business because he loved commercial activities.
According to him, “the POS business, needs discipline and patience to attend to people’s needs”. He said he hated to see queues of people at ATM stands in banks, frustrated and unable to do their businesses with ease.
“I am a man that likes to be productive, I found out that many of the people are always stranded at banks and unable to carry out their financial transactions with ease, I also make money from the business so I love it.”
When The Tide Metro interviewed one of the users of the POS services, Mr, Benson Aduma, he said the use of POS to service his utilities has helped him to avoid the stress of carrying out financial transactions through conventional banking services.
He said; “Most of the bank ATM swallow cards, and also fail to dispense cash, to take care of my pressing needs, I have to look for alternative means to survive, the stress of getting money in banks has resulted into fatal consequences, these must be avoided.”
Another regular user of the POS services. Mr Kingsley Obed, called for the liberalization of the POS services to accommodate more service providers.
Mr Obed who was visibly disappoointed with bank services said; “it’s right time banks and other institutions are held responsible for their promises and claims, you see inscriptions such as 24 hour ATM services at banks and when you use the ATM , they are mostly dysfunctional, we are fed up with these irregularities”. The Metro investigation reveals that the major operators of the POS business include; Kudu, Itex, Money Pay, Pam Pay, own money, among others. The service providers operate with these various groups to render their services. The availability of these services is in popular endorsement to have stimulated patronage, as people mostly consider distance, and other personal inconveniences in their choices.
By: Taneh Beemene
Metro
Firm Plans Hose Manufacturing Facility, Marks 21st Anniversary
An oil servicing firm, Fairtex Group, rolled out drums last weekend to celebrate it is 21st anniversary.
The ceremony was held at its new headquarters, in Elelenwo in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, of Rivers State where the firm acquired a massive parcel of land to build its new automobile fluid testing and hose manufacturing facilities.
It also used the event to unveil its “Equip 2026” to provide roadmap for its new diversification plans.
From a one room apartment in Ogbunabali 21 years ago, the firm has grown over the years with specialty in oil tool servicing and haulage to providing oil servicing solutions.
According to its Chairman/Executive Officer(CEO), Mr. Jacob Idungafa, the company has achieved its 2023 vision and hence, plans to diversify into automobile fluid testing and hose production for oil and chemical industrial uses.
Already, he disclosed that the company has begun talks with some South African and German firms on the setting up of a automobile jack system capable of providing jobs for the host community and impact on the nation’s economy.
The hose production is going to be a joint operation with a French firm, Aeroflex, as staffers will be sent abroad for training.
Since commencing operations in 2003, the firm has established branches in 14 countries in Africa that include Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Angola and Cote d’Ivoire.
“One unique thing is that in all of these, we have not taken any loan facility from the banks. We are prudent and resourceful, “he said.
Idungafa said further, “We are not competing with anybody. We are just beginning and there is a lot to do.”
So far, he stated that it has achieved the Vision 2023 with the acquisition of land, addingthat Equip 2026 is to serve as a launch pad for greater future for the firm.
Some staff who spoke at the 21 st anniversary praised the commitment and hard work of their CEO, saying his steadfastness has helped the firm in the path of growth over the years.
Manager, Foreign and Local Procurement, Brightness Sambo said since she joined the company, she has learnt a lot in management and networking.
In her word, “You don’t have to see the immediate results because the future is certain…We are aiming to go outside Africa.”
Human Resources Manager of Fairtex, Ngozi Ndukwe thanked God for the company and the milestones it has achieved over the years, saying “Where there is a vision, the vision does not die and with God’s grace, we are headed somewhere.”
The firm’s Principal Accounting Officer, lbaraibim Ogolo said since she joined the company, she has grown in her professional competency, describing the CEO as a role model and hardworking personality.
Highlights of the 21st anniversary included a thanksgiving service at Just Jesus Assembly, Port Harcourt, a party at the company’s new site, special performance by staffers and cutting of the anniversary cake by the Managing Director and other guests.
By: Kevin Nengia
Metro
ELTHAN Celebrates World Poetry Day In PH
As part of activities to celebrate this year’s World Poetry Day, the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria (ELTHAN), Rivers State Branch organised poetry sensitisation day for young secondary school students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
The event was held at Community Secondary School Elelenwo, as students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, Woji and Government Girls Secondary School, Elelenwo participated.
Chairman of the programme, Dr. Sunday Igbigibereibim said the event is to raise public awareness on the importance of literature.
“ELTHAN sees this as a challenge and that is why we commemorate 21st March yearly as provided by the United Nations Educational Scientific Council (UNESCO)”, he stated.
He noted that literature is art, “there is need for literary scholars and enthusiasts all over the world to promote Literature.”
While counselling the students on how they can make a career from Literature, Dr. Igbigibereibim pointed out that a shift has occurred over the years from impressionistic to target writing.
On her part, State Secretary of ELTHAN, Salome Ikokoyo decried the decline of literature in the society.
She revealed that in the past years, students’ performance in Literature examinations has been abysmal.
Ikokoyo stated that, “ I think what is happening is a reflection of what the teachers do in the classroom. It’s a reflection of teachers’ performance. And it’s our responsibility as teachers to do what we are paid for.”
Once teachers of Literature improve in their teaching techniques, Ikokoyo believes that students’ performance will also improve.
On the other hand, she tasked students to put in more effort, “they need to read the text books, even though some of them are not interesting, but that is where hardwork is needed.”
Students from Archdeacon Brown Educational Centre, who spoke to The Tide Metro said they were motivated by performance.
One of the students, Esther Ogbebo said she learnt a lot from performance poetry, “ I would prefer Literature for leisure, but for those, who have the passion, they can pursue their career”.
For Deborah Ebiunor, the presentations were exciting, as she lamented that,” Literature is not being promoted in the country. And students need to be encouraged to learn.”
Highlights of the programme included dance, drama and poetry performance by some students, and from the popular folk poet, Biokpo Joshua.
Metro
‘PH Water Project Nearing Completion’
The ongoing Port Harcourt water and Sanitation Project (PHWSSP) is nearing 100 percent completion, says the Managing Director of the Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Ibibia Walter.
The project was slowed down during the last quarter of 2023 and early this year, it has got a boost when Sir. Siminialayi Fubara administration approved compensation for some residents whose properties were affected by the water pipe expansion.
The Port Harcourt water project when completed is expected to cater for quality water needs of residents of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas of the State.
The Rivers State Government is working on the scheme to revive water and sanitation provision in the metropolis.
Based on the updated Replacement Action Plan (RAP), the payment of compensation has paved the way for the completion of the project.
African Development Bank whose counterpart funding had been stalled had since resumed after the government approval and subsequent release of funds for the project development objectives to be achieved by the middle of the year.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Rivers State Water Corporation, Chief Walter had expressed appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the elevation of King Ateke Tom, Amanyanabo of Ancient Okochiri Kingdom to First Class stool and the promise to continue the Isaka Jetty project abandoned by the last administration.
Chief Walter who hails from Okrika is an indigene of Isaka and Chairman of Isaka Council of Chiefs as he expressed happiness over the developments.
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