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NCAA’s Visit Rekindles Hope For Certification Of Bayelsa Int’l Airport

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Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Bayelsa International Airport will be licensed to commence full commercial operations by the relevant federal aviation regulatory authorities before the end of this month.
The state Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, disclosed this during a meeting with the management and staff of the Airport together with its host communities in Government House, Yenagoa, at the weekend.
According to Senator Ewhrudjakpo, the state is expecting a visit from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the 23rd of this month, which might culminate in the certification of commercial flight operations in the Airport.
The state number two man, therefore, called on all stakeholders to make last ditch efforts towards getting the Federal Government’s operational licence.
Highlighting the importance of the airport, he appealed to the host communities to be patient, assuring that the present administration was poised to addressing their concerns according to extant best practices in the aviation industry.
Making reference to how airports within and outside the country have transformed the economy of their operating environments, the Deputy Governor urged all the stakeholders to have a bigger picture as expected benefits from the airport were beyond immediate financial gains.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, therefore, cautioned them to employ dialogue as a means of resolving any pending issues, stressing that protests and disruption of activities around the airport will only delay its licencing.
“This is no time for protest. It is rather, a time for more cooperation and hardwork for us to achieve what we need to get our airport operate fully. If government is still owing you any money as balance for compensation, that should not make you to demonstrate”, he said.
“We are appealing to you because by the time the airport starts operating, you all know the benefits you will all get as workers, landlords and host communities. Government will look into your demands and take appropriate steps to address them”, he added.
“We must look at and focus on the bigger picture because sometimes if you don’t focus on the bigger picture, you continue to cry because of the immediate sparrow.
The tears in your eyes will deprive you from seeing the stars. The stars are always there, but (most times), it is because of the tears in our eyes that make us not to see the stars.However, the good news is that, officials of the NCAA are coming on the 23rd and by the grace of God when they come on that day, and before they leave on the 25th, we are expecting that they will kindly give us our licence”, he noted.
In their remarks, some members of the state House of Assembly, Mrs. Ebiuwou-Koku Obiyai, Mr. Wisdom Fafi, Mr. Oforji Oboku and Mr. Felix Bonny-Ayah, all appealed to the landlords to be patient with government as regards the issues of compensation and employment.
Also speaking, the Commissioners for Information, Environment as well as Budget and Economic Planning, urged the host communities to endeavour to make necessary sacrifices to attract development through the airport and its ancillary services.
Speaking on behalf of the landlords, the Amananaowei of Amassoma, Chief Graham Naingba, Spokesman of the Airport Landlords Forum, Mr Yenigha Ebimode, amongst others assured the state government of their cooperation to enable the airport begin full operations.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Association Woos Govt, Coys On  Boat Operators  Employments

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June 12, 2026

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The leadership of Bonny Maritime Boat Association has called on Rivers state Government and oil companies operating in the state to provide sustainable employment to unemployed boat Operators.
The Association also want the government, companies and other relevant employers of labour to provide trainings for boat Operators to enhance their skills
Safety Officer of the Association, Comrade Kingdom Kingsley made this known in  a  telephone interview with  The Tide.
He noted that most of the boat Operators and owners plying Bonny route lacks jobs due to the fleets of boats introduced by Bonny Road Transport that had taken over the passengers to the Island
He noted that passengers are no longer patronizing boats owned by the Association, thereby rendering the operators redundant
“Most of our operators can not afford to feed their families due to no jobs, we don’t want to indulge in crime, government should fix our members with  sustainable jobs to take care of their immediate needs”
He called on oil companies operating in the state to engage their skilled boat Operators in their companies to reduce the sufferings faced by the Association.
The Safety Officer called on the state government  to made funds available to unemployed youths in the state to start up business than roam the streets.
He noted that provision of funds to youths would reduce crime rates and reposition their mindsets for a better life
“The  youths of Rivers state are suffering, have no job to feed their families, thereby indulging in criminality daily”
“The youths need empowerment,  jobs,  recreational facilities and better things of life as citizens of this Nation”, Kingsley said.
CHINEDU WOSU
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FG Approves $1 Bn AFCFTA Credit Facility For Nigerian Exporters

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June 12, 2026

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The Federal Government has approved a whooping $1bn credit facility to support Nigerian exporters and small scale businesses to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in order to boost production, competitiveness and intra-African trade.
The $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility is also expected to address some of the financing gap being faced by Nigerian exporters and enhance the competitiveness of African businesses within the continental market.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, disclosed this  during the second quarter 2026 meeting of the AfCFTA Central Coordination Committee held in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Obilor-Duru Okechi, Oduwole said the financing facility represented a major opportunity for Nigerian businesses seeking to expand operations, modernise production processes and increase exports to African markets.
The statement partly read, “?The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating Nigeria’s export-led growth agenda under the African Continental Free Trade Area, unveiling opportunities for businesses to access a US$1 billion AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility aimed at boosting production, competitiveness, and intra-African trade.”
She noted that despite the progress Nigeria had made in implementing the continental trade agreement, many local businesses continued to face obstacles that limited their ability to take advantage of the single African market.
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“Many businesses still face challenges relating to export documentation, certification, standards compliance and market access,” the minister said.
She explained that the Federal Government was addressing these bottlenecks through enhanced trade facilitation measures, simplified AfCFTA guidance tools, stakeholder engagement programmes and stronger collaboration with institutions such as the Nigeria Customs Service and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
Oduwole stressed the need to strengthen Nigeria’s legal and regulatory framework by domesticating key AfCFTA protocols, particularly the Digital Trade Protocol, to position the country as a major player in Africa’s growing digital economy.
The minister also highlighted some of the gains recorded in Nigeria’s AfCFTA implementation efforts.
According to her, the expansion of Nigeria’s Air Cargo Corridor Initiative to Rwanda, increased collaboration with development partners and private sector players, as well as sustained engagement with state governments, were helping to deepen awareness and participation in the continental market.
In her welcome address and first-quarter update, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria AfCFTA Coordination Office, Mrs Patience Okala, provided details of the financing initiative.
Okala said the $1bn AfCFTA Adjustment Fund Credit Facility was targeted at large African businesses with a minimum financing capacity of $10m.
She revealed that the National AfCFTA Coordination Office was working closely with fund managers to facilitate access for eligible Nigerian companies and had begun assembling a pilot group of businesses to ensure that Nigeria maximised the opportunities provided by the facility.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NIWA Harps On  Avoidance Of Leaking Boats

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June 12, 2026

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The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has advised Nigerians against boarding boats that require constant bailing of water in the interest of their safety.
 NIWA Area Manager for Cross River and Ebonyi, Mr Stanley Onuoha gave this warning in an interview with Newsmen in Calabar.
Onuoha who spoke on waterway
safety, said that passengers should take responsibility for their safety by inspecting boats before embarking on any journey.
According to him, repeated scooping of water from a boat is a clear indication that the vessel may be leaking.
“If you are entering a boat and see people using a bailer to remove water, it is the first signal that the boat is leaking,” he said.
He urged passengers to check the integrity of boats, including seating arrangements and other visible safety features.
The Manager restated the importance of using safety jackets, saying that damaged jackets may fail during emergencies.
He further said that passengers should ensure that safety jackets were appropriate for their body sizes in order to guarantee effective flotation.
 Onuoha reiterated the need for passengers to fill manifests before departure to aid accountability during emergencies.
The NIWA official further advised travellers to monitor weather conditions and avoid boarding boats when the weather is unfavourable.
According to him, poor weather conditions can trigger strong tidal waves capable of affecting small boats commonly used on inland waterways.
He said that waterway journeys should be embarked upon between 6.00a.m and 6.00p.m for clearer visibility.
Onuoha said  the Authority had continued to sensitise riverine communities to the need for safety precautions during waterway journeys.
He stated that sustained awareness campaigns and enforcement measures had contributed to safety waterway safety in Cross River.
CHINEDU WOSU
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