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Economic Interest Drives Co-operation With AirFrance –Amaechi

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14 years ago

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Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State said his administration’s support to Air France KLM was in the economic and strategic interest of the development of the state.

Governor Amaechi gave the indication Tuesday night, during a dinner hosted in honour of the outgoing District Manager of Air France, Mr. Yann Gilbert, at the Banquet Hall of Government House Port Harcourt.

The governor, who commended the Management of Air France for being the only international airline that stayed on, and continued to operate during the period of the security challenges that confronted the state, explained that the steadfastness of the Airline, when others were leaving Port Harcourt at the height of security challenges, made the state government to reciprocate the gesture by directing all state government functionaries traveling abroad to patronise the airline.

Governor Amaechi, who hinted that he lost his platinum card from British Airways because of Air France, noted that since the decision to use the Airline, his trips abroad had been through the airline.

The governor thanked Mr. Yann for the bold initiative that had today translated to good relationship between the Airline and the state government, and urged the management to sustain the partnership.

He however, disclosed that the security challenges which confronted the state then had been laid to rest, as foreigners and other nationals resident in the state now move freely.

“If we have not overcome the security challenges, then we are near to overcoming it completely”, he declared, emphasising that one of the reasons for hosting the 17th National Sports Festival was to showcase that Rivers State can play host to over12,000 athletes without any incident of kidnap.

The State Chief Executive hinted that the days of crisis were gradually becoming over in the state, and lauded the security agencies over restoring peace in the state.

The Governor congratulated the outgoing Port Harcourt District Manager of Air France for maintaining the cordial relationship, and wished him well in his new assignment.

Responding, the outgoing District Manager of Air France/KLM, Mr. Yann Gilbert, commended the government and the people of Rivers State for their support and cooperation throughout his tenure in the state.

Mr. Yann said he arrived Port Harcourt when other airline operators were leaving the state as a result of the security challenges, adding that he decided to stay on, a decision which he said had paid off today, while appealing that the cooperation he received should be extended to his successor.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, said the state government organised the dinner to honour Mr Yann for demonstrating a true spirit of friendship and leadership, as he was available for the state whenever they needed his services.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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2 weeks ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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