Business

Lagos-Abidjan Expressway Project Begins 2014 –Jonathan

Published

13 years ago

March 4, 2013

President Goodluck Jonathan said last Saturday in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire that the construction of Lagos to Abidjan Expressway would commence next year.

The president made the disclosure at the Nigerian-Cote d’Ivoire Investors Forum on the sideline of his state visit to that country.

He said that the construction of the road was imperative to enhance free movement of goods and persons and reduce the encumbrances currently posed by the local customs and police to business men.

He said that the construction of the road was “dear to the heart of the ECOWAS leaders”.

Jonathan was speaking on the sideline of the 42nd ECOWAS Summit in Yammoussoukro, there was a meeting of the leaders of Nigeria, Togo, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana on how to actualise the project.

“We have charged the Ivorian Minister of Infrastructure and the Nigerian Minister of Works to work with the ECOWAS Commission that within two weeks they must come up with a blueprint and preliminary information on the project.

“We will discuss the issue in Addis Ababa in May when we go for AU meeting.

“This is because we want a situation where the desk-work will be completed this year and by next year, we want physical construction.

“We believe that when we have this express road the issue of movement, interference by Customs and Police will be minimised because that will be an ECOWAS road.

“The laws regulating the use of the road will not be the laws regulating that of the roads in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire or Ghana.

“It will be an international standard and everything will be done in such a way that movement of goods, services and so on will not be interfered with by local restriction.”

Jonathan said that the projects would not be financed with public funds but by development partners and some viable banks which would re-coup their funds through tariffs and toll fees.

“It is a viable project that banks and business men within and outside the region will key into and which will generate enough money in short time.

Jonathan further explained that the project when completed would integrate the entire region.

“Togo has seven million, Benin Republic, eight million, Cote d’Ivoire, 25 million, Ghana 26 million and Nigeria about 167 million.

“When you add all these together, it gives you about 236 million out of the projected 287 million of ECOWAS.

“So, these five countries, by the time you traverse from Nigeria to Cote d’Ivoire, then you will easily integrate the entire sub-region.

“You will so integrate the system in such a way that you can key other countries along, that is why we decided that we must work with our business men and women to develop an express road from Lagos to Abidjan,” he said.

The president noted that there were lots of investment opportunities in the sub-region which were yet to be harnessed for development.

He identified the major challenges to development as lack of technology and exportation of raw materials without adding values.

“When you export crude oil you export job opportunities because those who refine the crude oil and turn our gas to petrochemical create a lot of jobs.

“Like now, we are supposed to be exporting finished products not crude oil and gas but we are still doing that.

“Cote d’Ivoire is just going to the oil industry, they should not make the mistakes Nigeria made from the beginning they must think about exporting finished products not exporting crude oil.

Jonathan noted that economic growth should not be reduced to paper work but realities that would affect the lives of the citizens.

Business

Dangote Refinery Ending Nigeria’s Dependence on Imported Fuel – EIU

Published

19 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals is fundamentally transforming Nigeria’s downstream oil sector by significantly reducing the country’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products and strengthening foreign exchange earnings, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

In its latest assessment of Nigeria’s fuel market and regulatory environment, the EIU said the operational ramp-up of the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery has reshaped a sector previously characterised by heavy dependence on imported fuel despite Nigeria being Africa’s largest crude oil producer.

The report stated that refinery supplied nearly 80 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic petrol demand in April and has produced sufficient volumes to meet local consumption needs as it approaches full operational capacity.

Describing Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector before the refinery as “long dysfunctional,” the EIU noted that the country had relied almost entirely on costly fuel imports while producing nearly 1.5 million barrels of crude oil daily.

According to the report, the emergence of the refinery has improved domestic fuel availability, reduced import dependence, and strengthened Nigeria’s balance of payments position through lower import demand and increasing exports of refined petroleum products.

“The gradual ramp up of the 650,000 barrel/day Dangote refinery since May 2023 has transformed Nigeria’s long dysfunctional downstream sector.

“The country’s main refineries, all state-owned, had been inoperative for years and Nigeria was almost entirely reliant on costly imported fuel”, the report stated.

The EIU, the research and analysis division of The Economist Group, added that the refinery’s attainment of full operational capacity and planned future expansion would further support Nigeria’s economic growth and foreign exchange earnings in the coming years.

It projected that increased exports from the refinery, alongside plans to double production capacity before the end of the decade, would boost Nigeria’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and forex inflows from 2026 onward.

Industry analysts said the refinery is positioning Nigeria as a major refining and export hub in Africa, potentially reshaping regional energy trade flows and reducing the continent’s dependence on imported fuel.

The EIU also noted that the refinery’s growth has coincided with major reforms in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, including the removal of fuel subsidies and the introduction of market-driven pricing mechanisms.

However, the report observed that the shift from a state-dominated import structure to large-scale domestic refining has generated resistance from interests linked to the old import regime.

The latest controversy followed the decision by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority to relax restrictions on petrol imports despite the refinery’s increasing production capacity.

Dangote Industries Limited subsequently initiated legal action, arguing that continued import approvals undermine investments in local refining and contradict the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act aimed at promoting domestic refining capacity.

Analysts further noted that the availability of large-scale domestic refining capacity has improved Nigeria’s energy security while reducing exposure to external supply shocks and foreign exchange volatility.

The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise also warned against unrestrained fuel importation, saying such a policy could weaken Nigeria’s industrialisation drive and discourage investment in domestic refining.

Chief Executive Officer of the CPPE, Muda Yusuf, said continued dependence on imported fuel had historically exerted pressure on foreign reserves, contributed to exchange rate instability, and created fiscal leakages.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic

Business

NCDMB Partner Dafinone For Youths Technical Skills Training

Published

20 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

The lawmaker representing the Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, in collaboration with the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has unveiled a three-week capacity building programme on rigging and scaffolding for youths in the Senatorial District.

Reports say that the training is designed to equip youths with practical technical skills for employment in the oil and gas and construction sectors, with emphasis on employability, safety, competence and self reliance.

In attendance at the flag-off ceremony this week, at the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI) Conference Hall, Effurun, were stakeholders, dignitaries, and political representatives, among others.

Dafinone, represented by his Chief of Staff, Adelabu Bodjor, said the initiative reflects a deliberate political investment in human capital development across Delta Central.

He explained that the training focuses on rigging and scaffolding, noting that “both are essential technical competencies required in industrial operations, construction projects, and oil and gas installations”.

Bodjor added, “The programme is intended to reduce dependency among youths by providing job-ready skills capable of supporting long-term economic opportunities and self-sufficiency. The initiative aligns with Senator Dafinone’s broader development agenda, which prioritises practical skill acquisition as a pathway to sustainable empowerment.”

Also addressing the participants, the NCDMB, Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Mr. Teddy Bai, commended Dafinone for sponsoring the programme, describing it as “a timely response to critical manpower gaps in the industry”.

Bai explained that rigging and scaffolding remain safety-sensitive skills required across fabrication yards, offshore platforms, and construction sites, stressing that the programme bridges the gap between certification and practical competence.

He also charged the training consultant, OROH Contractors Limited, to maintain strict standards of professionalism, safety, and discipline, while urging participants to remain committed, focused, and disciplined throughout the exercise.

The Senate Liaison Officer for Sapele Local Government Area, Chief Patrick Akamuvba, , described the programme as a major step in strengthening human capital development in Delta Central.

Akamuvba said scaffolding and rigging skills are in high demand across residential, commercial, and industrial construction projects, noting that the training offers real employment opportunities for beneficiaries

He urged participants to prioritise knowledge and certification over short-term material expectations, stressing that discipline and seriousness would determine their long-term success.

He also cautioned youths against social vices and distractions, advising them to remain focused to maximise the opportunities provided by the programme.

Business

Commercial Aviation: Bayelsa Begins Operations As Pioneer Airline Launches Maiden Flight

Published

21 hours ago

May 29, 2026

The Tide

Bayelsa State has officially commenced commercial aviation operations recently as Pioneer Airlines operated its first non-scheduled flight using one of the state government’s newly acquired aircraft, an ATR 72-600.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, this week and made available to Aviation correspondents .

The statement said that the initiative reflects Governor Diri’s commitment to transforming Bayelsa through visionary leadership and strategic investments.

Governor Diri in the statement expressed satisfaction with the airline’s operational capacity and professionalism, noting that he was optimistic about a productive and mutually beneficial partnership between the state and the airline.

The governor described the development as another milestone in the state’s drive toward economic growth and infrastructural advancement.

The historic maiden flight departed the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at 11:10 a.m. after taxiing off the tarmac at about 11:00 a.m. and receiving clearance from the control tower.

The aircraft, piloted by Captain M. Ibrahim alongside First Officer Joyce, a female co-pilot, arrived at the Bayelsa International Airport at 12:15 p.m. after a smooth one-hour, five-minute journey.

On board of the inaugural flight was the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, who occupied seat 1A as the symbolic first passenger of the airline operation.

RYa1.

Also on the flight were former House of Representatives member, Hon. Gabriel Onyenwife, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters I, High Chief Collins Cocodia, and five aides to the governor.

The launch marks the beginning of Bayelsa State’s entry into the commercial aviation sector through its partnership with Pioneer Airlines, a move expected to boost connectivity and expand the state’s internally generated revenue base.

Enoch Epelle