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OBALGA Boss Lauds Wike On Rumuokoro Market …Wades Into Indomie, Community’s Rift

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The Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chief Prince Noble Amadi has commended Governor Nyesom Wike for the successful allocation of stalls and shops in the ultra-modern Rumuokoro International Market and Park constructed by the state government.
Chief Amadi, who made the commendation in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt shortly after the balloting for the allocation of the stalls and shops last Wednesday thanked Governor Wike for deeming it necessary to construct the market facility which he described as the first of its kind in the country, and expressed pleasure that beneficiaries were allocated the entire 608 open stalls and 91 lock-up shops free of charge, as a way of empowering them by the Wike administration.
He said the balloting for the allocation of the stalls and shops was done in an open and transparent manner, and urged those who did not benefit to wait for another opportunity, stressing that the balloting process which attracted hundreds of participants was done peacefully and smoothly, as no ugly incident was recorded throughout the exercise.
The council boss used the opportunity to appeal to those doing business in the local government to avail themselves of the facility and stop causing nuisance by operating illegal markets and parks.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Projects, Mr. G.A. Kelly George has lauded the smooth conduct of the balloting for the allocation of stalls and shops in the Rumuokoro Market and Park, saying, the beneficiaries were allocated the stalls and shops on merit through an open and transparent process.
Mr. George, who made the remarks in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt shortly after the balloting exercise reiterated that the stalls and shops were allocated to the beneficiaries by the state government free of charge, as they were not expected to pay for the facilities.
He further disclosed that with the conclusion of the balloting exercise, beneficiaries would be presented certificates of allocation by the state government as from Monday, April 9, 2018 before finally handing over the market to the committee recently constituted by the governor for its management.
In a related development, the Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Chief Prince Noble Amadi has waded into the face-off between the Choba community and Indomie Nigeria Limited and susccessfully resolved differences existing between the community and the company.
The this end, the community has mandated the council boss to withdraw a suit instituted by it against the company pending before a High Court in Port Harcourt on or before April 30, 2018.
Chief Amadi, who made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in his office last Tuesday commended both the community and the company for the gesture, assuring that his administration would continue to promote peace as well as create the enabling environment for business to flourish in the local government.
He further announced that the caretaker committee would soon set up a peace and reconciliation committee to promote peace and harmony in all communities of the local government, and called on companies and the various communities to always key into the peaceful disposition of Governor Wike by embracing peace at all times.

 

Donatus Ebi

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Association Woos Govt, Coys On  Boat Operators  Employments

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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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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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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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