Business

Aviation Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over NCAA Appointment Saga …Harp On Safety

Published

1 year ago

January 30, 2025

Some stakeholders in the Aviation sector, under the auspices of Aviation Elders, have raised alarm over the controversy surrounding the appointment of a substantial Director General (DG)of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

This is coming as supporters of the acting DG, Captain Chris Najomo, intensified campaign for his continued stay in office, amid calls for a new DG by many industry experts.

There were reports that President Bola Tinubu had confirmed the Acting DG, but the reports, however, did not state how he was confirmed.

There were also no indications that a letter was sent to the National Assembly for confirmation, leaving stakeholders in the aviation industry to worry about the source of the news and what it tends to achieve.

The presidency and the Senate have however remained mum over the development.

But the Aviation Elders, in a statement by Kolade Hassan and Sya Mohammed, are wading into the matter, insisting that the emergence of Najomo as substantive DG runs fowl.

“The Acting DG, NCAA, may have declared himself as DG-NCAA in a very boastful manner without presidential pronouncement and Senate confirmation”, they said.

Siting a video where Najomo boasted of his confirmation, the stakeholders said “Whatever position you hold in government today, it’s transient as you cannot remain there forever.

“In the industry today, if we the elders cannot stand up for the truth, then nobody can. The whole world is watching what is happening in the industry. And the whole world is aware of the dangerous politics being played at the agency.

“Are those engaged in announcing the substantive DG ahead of the presidency and the National Assembly aware that we have lost out on American Category One Certification, and today Nigerian commercial airlines are banned from flying into America? Are they aware that very soon, other countries will ban Nigeria?

“Are these people aware that two aircraft engines failed in some local airlines last month, with a cargo airline overshooting the runway? This to us is a clear evidence of lack of safety regulatory compliance by the operators and the NCAA. The report will be released by AIB soon, yet some people want Najomo confirmed at the expense of the sector.

“Weeks ago, a helicopter crashed, killing 2 crew and 6 NNPC staff. The IOC, such as Shell, Total, Chevron, and NNPC are not even sure if the NCAA can guarantee the safety of their oil workers going forward.

“United Airlines had three major air returns, almost killing over 200 people, yet no action from NCAA as to what’s happening. In fact, the Nigerian Safety and Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had earlier indicted NCAA with regards to the Sikorsky SK76c helicopter which crashed on October 24, 2024. This is among other infractions noticed in their operation

“Is this what Nigeria has become? We elders in Aviation are worried and have reached out to the powers that be. Something has to happen to save Nigeria from this international embarrassment.

“How on earth will a DG be confirmed to be substantive in the media, ignoring even the presidency and the National Assembly? This shows desperation on the part of the sponsors.

“The desperation to keep running NCAA as though it’s a personal business must end now, as what elders see sitting down cannot be seen by a child even if he climbs to the tallest tree.

“For us to achieve the aviation that meets the global standard, it’s always key we discard personal interests and put Nigeria first. The safety of our people should be prioritized and should be the primary objective of all administrators as against politicization of positions.

“We are optimistic that President Bola Tinubu and his team will not allow this desperation to overwhelm them and succumb to the desires of those desperate to keep the industry in their pockets”.

Business

IPMAN Raises Concern Over Delay In Chinese Refinery Deal …Predicts Lower Fuel Prices Through Competition

Published

23 hours ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Eastern Zone of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has called on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to fast-track the conclusion of the proposed Technical Equity Partnership with two Chinese firms.

IPMAN made the appeal amid growing concerns over the delay in finalising the agreement initiated through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on April 30, 2026, between NNPCL and Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited as well as Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Company Limited.

It said the proposed arrangement was designed to revive and expand operations at the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, noting that successful implementation would strengthen the downstream petroleum sector and restore confidence in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

The former Unit Chairman and current Zonal Secretary of IPMAN, Eastern Zone (System 2E), Comrade Inimgba Emmanuel Okubowei, made the call in a statement issued by the union after the Good Governance Summit organised by the Working People United (WOPU) in Abuja, and obtained by TheTide in Port Harcourt, at the weekend.

Okubowei expressed concern over the continued hardship faced by Nigerians due to the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), stressing that households and businesses were increasingly burdened by rising energy costs.

Okubowei stated that fuel prices would naturally decline once the Chinese partners commence full operations at the refineries, explaining that increased refining capacity and a more competitive market environment would positively influence pump prices.

The unionist further noted that the partnership would attract fresh investment, improve domestic refining output, increase petroleum product availability and create a more stable operational environment for industry stakeholders.

He maintained that healthy competition remains one of the most effective mechanisms for achieving fair pricing in the downstream petroleum industry and protecting consumers from avoidable price pressures.

The IPMAN official further argued that the entry of additional technically competent operators into the refining space would discourage monopolistic tendencies, improve operational efficiency and guarantee a more stable supply of petroleum products across the country.

He, therefore, appealed to the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, and the management of the company to accelerate all outstanding processes required for the successful execution of the Technical Equity Partnership.

Okubowei also called on the NNPCL leadership to publicly explain the reasons behind the prolonged delay and provide Nigerians with a definite timeline for the commencement of the project.

He emphasised that transparency, accountability and timely communication would strengthen public confidence in the initiative, adding that prompt execution of the agreement would enhance Nigeria’s energy security, create employment opportunities, stimulate economic growth and provide lasting relief to millions of Nigerians through more affordable petroleum products.

King Onunwor

Business

Gas Economy: Decade of Gas, Pi-CNG/ EV Deepen Media Engagement

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

Poised to achieving an in-depth understanding of the Nigeria’s gas economy by it’s populace, the Decade of Gas Secretariat, in collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG & EV), has deepened media capacity engagement across the country.

The media session, third in its series, and held at the Hotel President, Port Harcourt, recently, brought together 30 journalists from the television, radio, print, and digital media platforms to deepen their understanding of Nigeria’s gas development agenda and further enhance their reportage on the role of gas in driving economic growth, energy security, industrialization, job creation, and improved living standards.

Speaking during the session, the representative, Decade of Gas Secretariat,Taofeek Balogun , noted that the port Harcourt engagement followed two earlier sessions held in Lagos and Abuja, a move that began in 2025.

According to him, Nigeria’s gas sector continues to record significant progress, with year-to-date gas production reaching 7.85 billion standard cubic feet per day (bcfd).

Domestic gas utilization has surpassed the 2 bcfd mark, while gas exports have risen to their highest level in five years, reflecting growing demand across power generation, industries, transportation, exports, and household consumption.

Balogun emphasised the successful completion of the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) River Niger Crossing by NGIC/NNPCL, describing it as a critical infrastructure milestone that would improve gas transportation across the country, support industrial growth, attract investment, strengthen energy security, and contribute to economic development.

As part of efforts to expand domestic gas utilization, he reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to increasing access to clean cooking solutions. The government’s target is to distribute cooking gas cylinders to five million households by 2030.

Following the successful rollout of the programme across the six geopolitical zones by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, implementation would now move to the state level, beginning with Bayelsa State in July 2026.

Under the initiative, Balogun said, 27,000 households in Bayelsa are expected to receive cooking gas cylinders within the year as part of the 1(one) million homes per year target.

Also speaking, the Chief Operating Officer of Pi-CNG & EV, Tosin Coker, highlighted ongoing efforts to expand the adoption of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric mobility solutions as cleaner and more affordable transportation alternatives for Nigerians.

He disclosed that the Federal Government is promoting the adoption of CNG across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) through the conversion of existing vehicle fleets and the procurement of CNG-powered vehicles as part of broader efforts to reduce transportation costs and improve energy efficiency.

Coker said “more than 100,000 vehicles have now been converted to CNG nationwide under the initiative, reflecting growing acceptance of alternative fuel solutions and supporting the country’s transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation”.

Participants commended the initiative for strengthening media capacity and improving public understanding of developments within Nigeria’s energy sector.

The Decade of Gas Secretariat and Pi-CNG & EV further reaffirmed their commitment to sustained stakeholder engagement and public awareness as Nigeria continues its journey towards a gas-powered economy.

Business

Group Seeks Media Partnership To Enhance Business Growth

Published

1 day ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Chief Executive Officer of Kefa Communication, Mr. Obihele Victor Amos, has called for stronger collaboration between business organisations and media institutions to enhance business growth, economic expansion and wider public engagement across communities.

Amos made the call during a press briefing in Port Harcourt at the weekend.

He emphasised that strategic media partnership remains critical to improving visibility for businesses and attracting investment opportunities.

According to him, the media occupies a central position in shaping public perception and creating awareness that can support enterprise development and economic sustainability.

He also noted that, many emerging businesses continue to face growth limitations due to insufficient publicity and inadequate access to effective communication channels.

“Stronger engagement with the media would help bridge information gaps and create better connections between businesses and potential customers”, he said.

The CEO further stated that responsible and developmental journalism could play a significant role in promoting innovation and encouraging healthy competition within the business environment.

He stressed that beyond informing the public, the media serves as a platform for influencing policies and encouraging stakeholder participation in economic development.

Amos further disclosed the group is committed to building relationships with media organisations through continuous engagement and collaborative initiatives.

He said such partnerships would create opportunities for entrepreneurs and support efforts aimed at expanding market access.

The business leader also urged media practitioners to sustain professionalism and continue highlighting stories that promote enterprise and national development.

He expressed confidence that improved synergy between the media and the business community would contribute to employment generation and economic resilience.

Some participants at the briefing described the initiative as a welcome development capable of strengthening public understanding of business opportunities.

There were also calls for sustained cooperation among stakeholders to drive inclusive business growth and long-term development.

King Onunwor