Business

FAAN Gives Deadline for Vehicle Standards, Tariff for Airport Taxis

Published

1 hour ago

June 29, 2026

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has given October 2026 deadline for taxis operating at the Lagos and Abuja airports to abide by its directives of complying with operational standard and the increase of tariff from N500 to N1,500.

A statement from FAAN’s management explained that as an organisation committed to delivering safe, secure, efficient, and world-class airport services, FAAN considers it necessary to provide clarification on the issues raised and to reassure the travelling public that every action being taken is aimed at enhancing passenger experience and maintaining acceptable service standards at the airports.

“Airports are the gateways to any nation and often provide the first and last impression of a country’s image. Consequently, FAAN has a responsibility not only to ensure safety and security but also to uphold service quality across all touch-points that passengers encounter, including airport transportation services.

“So, the directive requiring airport cab operators to upgrade to newer vehicle models is informed by the need to improve reliability, comfort, safety, and overall passenger satisfaction. This is consistent with international best practices and aligns with FAAN’s ongoing efforts to elevate service standards across its airports,” the agency said.

It also noted that passengers who utilise airport taxi services deserve clean, roadworthy, comfortable, and professionally maintained vehicles that reflect the premium environment expected of a modern international airport.

“The adjustment from N500 to N1,500 should therefore be viewed within the context of prevailing economic realities and the need to sustain critical airport infrastructure and services. Even with the review, FAAN remains mindful of the challenges faced by operators and has continued to engage stakeholders constructively,” the agency said.

Business

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

Published

47 minutes 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

53 minutes 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

Business

NLC Demands Payment of Retired Seafarers’ Benefits

Published

57 minutes ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called on the federal government to immediately pay all pension, entitlements,outstanding benefits due to retired Nigerian seafarers

The Deputy President NLC and former President General Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade Adewale Adeyanju made the call in a statement issued to Newsmen during the celebration of 2026 Day of the Seafarer.

He noted that continued delay are worsening the plight of elderly maritime workers.

Adeyanju expressed concern that despite a verification exercise conducted nearly four years ago to facilitate payment of retirees’ benefits, many of the affected seafarers are yet to receive their entitlements.

According to him, the prolonged delay has had devastating consequences, with several beneficiaries reportedly dying while waiting for payment, while others have become seriously ill, incapacitated, or pushed deeper into poverty.

He urged government to act swiftly by clearing the backlog of pensions and outstanding benefits, stressing that retired seafarers who dedicated their lives to serving the nation and supporting global trade deserve to be treated with dignity.

“These are men and women who spent years at sea contributing to the economy and facilitating international commerce.

“It is only fair that they receive what is due to them without further delay,” he said.

Adeyanju’s appeal came as the global maritime community marked this year’s Day of the Seafarer under the theme, “Carrying World Trade. Carrying The Risks.”

Reflecting on the theme, he noted that 2026 has been particularly challenging for seafarers due to geopolitical tensions and security concerns affecting major shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.

He commended seafarers worldwide for their resilience and commitment in ensuring the uninterrupted movement of goods despite increasing dangers at sea.

“Seafarers remain the backbone of international trade. Their sacrifices and dedication continue to sustain economies around the world even in the face of significant risks,” he stated.

Beyond the issue of retirees’ welfare, Adeyanju also drew attention to broader concerns within the maritime sector.

He urged the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to restore the engagement of onboard gangway men on berthed vessels, arguing that their presence plays a critical role in preventing cargo theft, pilferage and other forms of economic sabotage at the ports.

Describing gangway men as the “eagle eyes” of port operations as he maintained that their reinstatement would strengthen security around ships and improve operational efficiency.

Deputy President NLC also raised concerns over the state of maritime training in the country, particularly at the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.

He lamented that many graduates of the institution continue to face challenges obtaining the certifications and sea-time experience required to secure employment in the global shipping industry.

Adeyanju called on the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to intensify efforts towards ensuring that graduates of the academy are properly trained, fully certificated and globally competitive.

While acknowledging ongoing reforms in the maritime sector, he commended the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy for initiatives aimed at transforming Nigerian ports and improving industry performance.

“On this Day of the Seafarer, we celebrate the courage, sacrifice and commitment of seafarers who keep global trade moving as their welfare and future must remain a priority,” he said.

CHINEDU WOSU