Business
GPHCDA To Promote Environmental Sustainability
The Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam says the Authority will continue to support government’s policies and programmes aimed at promoting environmental sustainability in line with the United Nations environmental standards and regulations.
Mrs. Cookey-Gam, represented by the Director of Development Control, Sir Oliver Ngozi Worgu, said this last Sunday on the occasion to mark the 2011 World Environment Day, with the theme Forest: Nature at Your Service, organised by the Authority.
Sir Worgu further stated that the Authority, through its development control exercise, will protect the open space corridors from human activities in order to maintain the ecological integrity as conservative enclaves; pointing out that in building a world class city, the authority will conform with UN’s World Environmental Standards. She stated that GPH will preserve all natural habitats to checkmate flooding and other environment hazards in the new city.
The Director also advised individuals to abide by the master plan of the new city and key into government’s urban renewal programme; adding that those who wished to buy or develop their properties in the New City should visit the authority.
In his goodwill message, Professor Alex Chinda of the Institute of Pollution Studies (IPS), Rivers State University of Science and Technology, noted that “the World Environment Day, always supported by the authority, provides an avenue for the public to understand and effectively contribute to the increased economic, social and ecological security that threatens future stock of natural capital or endangered ecological functioning and life-support systems”.
He further enjoined members of the public to take advantage of the opportunity to gain knowledge on critical environmental issues that would help solve socio-economic problems relating to the environment that will provide maximum benefit from the conservation, management and use of biological resources.
This year’s celebration featured seminar, paper-minimisation campaign in Greater Port Harcourt, essay competition and prizes among selected secondary schools within the Phase 1A of the new city.
“Payment of tuition fees for undergraduate/postgraduate studies shall be subject to a maximum limit of $25,000.00 per semester,” the Manual states.
The expansion of international card limits also reflects growing confidence among lenders that foreign exchange liquidity has improved enough to support retail dollar transactions.
Speaking recently at the BusinessDay 14th Annual CEO Forum in Lagos, CBN Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the CBN said buying and selling activities now increasingly determine outcomes in the foreign exchange market, unlike in the past when market participants relied heavily on routine Central Bank interventions.
According to Cardoso, Nigeria’s net foreign exchange reserves have risen from just over $3 billion at the start of the reform programme to more than $40 billion, while gross reserves have climbed to about $52 billion, providing stronger confidence for investors and enabling the Central Bank to reserve interventions for periods of market stress rather than day-to-day liquidity management.
The restoration and expansion of international naira card spending limits are increasingly being seen as one of the clearest signs that the benefits of the CBN’s foreign exchange reforms are beginning to reach households, students and businesses making legitimate cross-border payments.
The Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer, WEC, Dr Angela Wilkinson, disclosed this in a statement, last Thursday.
“Nigeria’s participation comes at a pivotal time as the country seeks to expand energy access, strengthen energy security, accelerate gas development and mobilise the capital required for industrialisation and sustainable economic growth.
“WEC Nigeria will convene leaders from across the energy ecosystem, apply the WEC’s globally recognised Energy Trilemma framework to Nigeria’s unique context, and promote evidence-based dialogue, practical collaboration and informed policymaking.
“It will also ensure that Nigerian and broader African perspectives contribute meaningfully to global energy conversations,” she said.
Wilkinson expressed confidence that Nigeria would play a significant leadership role at the World Energy Congress scheduled for Riyadh in April 2027 and beyond.
The statement also quoted the Chairman of WEC Nigeria, Isa, as describing the country’s participation as an opportunity to deepen national and African leadership within the global energy community through practical solutions tailored to regional development priorities.
He said the platform would promote collaboration across sectors and attract sustainable investments into Nigeria’s energy sector.
The Chief Executive Officer of WEC Nigeria, Wunti, was quoted in the statement as saying that the council would connect leadership, evidence and investment to build a secure, affordable and sustainable energy system.
“This system will be capable of driving economic growth and shared prosperity.”
According to him, the platform will also connect Nigerian institutions and businesses with international knowledge, technology, partnerships and investment opportunities through the World Energy Council’s global network.
Recall that WEC, founded in 1923, is the world’s oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners, advancing informed, collaborative and practical action across the global energy system.