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Local Carriers to Spend N560billion on Aircraft Maintenance in 2016

By
BWN
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Findings have revealed that local carriers operations will spend over N560 billion on aircraft maintenance in 2016.

This amount is expected to cover major aircraft checks in Europe, Asia, America, South Africa, Ethiopia and Morocco.

The checks include “C and D” under which major components of aircraft are stripped and reworked.

According to investigations over 200 aircraft are on the regulatory register for scheduled, private / charter operators and training aircraft.

In 2013, the operators spent over $1.22 billion (N200 billion) when the exchange rate was N200 to $1 on maintenance because of lack of such facility at home.

Nigeria has over 200 aircraft (scheduled, charter and privately owned), which are taken abroad for major repairs. South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and Ethiopia have workable Maintenance Repairs Overhaul (MRO) facilities, and airports that operate as hubs.

The process of taking aircraft abroad for repairs, according to engineers, takes a minimum of two weeks with a corresponding loss of about $500,000 (N160 million) for C-Check on Boeing 737. A smaller aircraft, such as, Embraer 190 or 100 would cost $300,000 (N110 million) during the same period. Many of the airlines take their aircraft abroad for repairs at exorbitant costs.

 

A former spokesman for Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur, called for partnership between the government and private investors to establish a local maintenance facility.

According to him, it could save the airlines over 50 per cent of maintenance costs and make Nigeria a technical hub for aircraft maintenance. MRO costs encompass both the outgoing charges and the revenue loss during the out-of-service period.

 

Increase Lending to Farmers – Buhari Urge Banks

By
BWN
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Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari urged banks to help boost the diversification effort of the Federal Government by increasing its lending to the agricultural sector.

He said this on Monday in Abuja at a gathering of the advisory National Economic Council (NEC) attended by Nigeria’s 36 states governors, the budget and central bank governor. Part of his drive is to encourage diversification away from oil production in Africa’s largest economy.

Buhari also vowed to enhance energy provision in a country long blighted by power shortages.

Nigeria, Africa’s top oil producer, has been hit hard by a fall in crude prices that has cut vital oil revenues – which account for 70 percent of national income – causing the economy to grow by just 2.8 percent in 2015, its slowest pace in decades.

According to Buhari,”Our real wealth is in farming, livestock, hatcheries, fishery, horticulture and forestry,” Buhari told a gathering of the advisory National Economic Council (NEC) attended by Nigeria’s 36 state governors, the budget minister and central bank governor.

“Banks should be leaned upon to substantially increase their lending to the agricultural sector. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) should bear part of the risk of such loans as a matter of national policy,” he said.

Toyota Unveils First Vehicle From Lagos Factory

By
BWN
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Toyota Nigeria Limited has recorded a breakthrough with the unveiling of its first locally-assembled vehicle in Lagos, a Hiace bus.

The Managing Director, Toyota Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, said the new Hiace was assembled in the company’s plant in Lagos, built with 30,000-unit production capacity every year. He stated that the plant’s facility comprising two lines is expected to assemble mini buses, pickups and other light commercial vehicles.

Ade-Ojo said, “We need to introduce some changes to the plant so as to achieve efficiency in the operations. With the current economic situation, we are looking at starting the mass production in a couple of months.

“We are constantly training technicians and as far as the plant is concerned, we are assuring customers that we will continuously improve the assembling process of our vehicles to ensure that the vehicles meet international standards.”

The plant, which occupies a 40,000 square metre of land, was built to handle different models.

He said as soon as the mass production of vehicles commenced, there would be competitive prices for its products.

Prof. Danbatta Advocates Use of Telecoms to Drive Economy

By
BWN
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DND

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has proposed the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT), to drive the country’s economy.

He assert: “Global oil prices are not favourable and, therefore, what is accruing to Nigeria through oil and gas cannot fund the kind of projects that are targeted at alleviating poverty.

“In sustaining service delivery, I’m sure government in her wisdom decided that there is need to look for other alternative sources of funding and I’ m sure the communication tax bill that government is talking about with consultations ongoing is targeted at finding alternative ways of funding services as captured in the 2016 budget.”

He stated that the plunge in oil prices is indicative that government will rely more on the telecom sector to drive the economy, adding that the sector if well harnessed is capable of contributing more than 10 percent to the country’s GDP.

President Buhari Laments Over Epileptic Power Supply in the Country

By
BWN
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President Muhammadu Buhari has said that epileptic power supply in the country is no longer a laughing matter.

He said; ”Nigerians’ favourite talking point and butt of jokes is the power situation in our country. But, ladies and gentlemen, it is no longer a laughing matter. We must and by the grace of God we will put things right.

“In the three years left for this administration we have given ourselves the target of ten thousand megawatts distributable power. In 2016 alone, we intend to add two thousand megawatts to the national grid.

“This sector has been privatized but has yet to show any improvement in the quality of service. Common public complaints are, constant power cuts destroying economic activity and affecting quality of life. High electricity bills despite power cuts, low supply of gas to power plants due to vandalisation by terrorists.”

Operators Call for Local Maintenance of Aircraft

By
BWN
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An Aviciation servicing operator, Mr Achuzie Ezenagu ,the Managing Director/ CEO of Toucan Aviation Support Services, has called for Local maintenance of Aircraft.

He called on Federal government and stakeholders in the industry to urgently establish a major Maintenance, Overhaul and Repair (MRO) facility in Nigeria.

Ezenagu lamented that over N15 billion was been spent annually on periodic maintenance of its aircraft overseas.

“In addition to retaining this huge amount of money in Nigeria; the setting up of MRO facility in the country would create thousands of jobs for Nigerians,” he said.

Ezenagu, who made the call at the Nigerian Business Aviation Conference, which ended in Lagos at the weekend, said the establishment of the facility would save Nigeria huge financial resources, help to train and employ indigenous aircraft engineers, make aircraft checks cost effective for Nigerian airlines as well as reinforce Nigeria as a hub in West Africa.

 However, Ezenagu observed that establishing an MRO in the country would face challenges, noting that it would be costly because Nigeria does not have the necessary infrastructure to facilitate it. He added that the cooperation of government and industry stakeholders were needed to make it possible.

According to the former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren said Nigeria was overripe to have such facility and noted that if 40 per cent of the funds spent on the re-modelling of airport facilities in the last few years was deployed by government to establish the facility, it would have been invaluable for the development of aviation in the country.

Demuren noted that Nigeria loses huge resources maintaining aircraft overseas adding, besides the economic losses, Nigerian trained aircraft engineers cannot secure jobs locally. He also pointed out that for Nigeria to become the West African hub, it must have the MRO facility.

The annual Nigerian Business Aviation Conference is about the development of business aviation, which includes private charter services, cargo operations and others and how they help as catalyst to the nation’s economic development.

Ezenagu who was a panelist at the conference said Nigeria needs to focus on aviation development because it is the fulcrum of the nation’s development.

“We should make the airport more accessible and make them more available. Government can encourage stakeholders to grow the sector by providing incentives. Government should also find a way to bring all the data from different sectors of the economy together because every sector works hand in hand with another.

 

NLNG to Fund NDDC in No Distance Time – Reps

By
BWN
-

The Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited will soon be obliged to contribute in the funding of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Bill sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Leo Ogor, is entitled: “Bill for an Act to Amend the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG (Fiscal Incentives, Guaranteed and Assurances) Act, Cap. N87, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to empower the Nigerian LNG Ltd to make its Statutory Contributions to the NDDC Fund and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.”

The NDDC Establishment Act, specifically section 14 (2)(b) stipulates that three percent of the total annual budget of any oil producing company operating onshore and offshore in the Niger Delta area, including gas processing companies like NLNG, shall be paid into the Funds of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Ogor noted that apparently the NLNG Limited has not contributed a kobo to the NDDC fund as required by the NDDC Act, 2000 for about 27 years of its operation in the region, despite the huge earnings it has made.

He further stated that the Bill also seeks to prevent a total degradation of the oil-rich Niger Delta region whose environment has extensively been depleted due to oil exploration over the years.

FG Charges Field Epidemiologists On Disease Control, Community-Based Surveillance

By
BWN
-

The federal government has urged Nigeria’s field epidemiologists to give priority attention to disease control, community-based surveillance, emergency response and research, as these are pivotal to the long term success in tackling challenges of disease outbreak.

Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole said ‘’ I am focusing on Lassa fever because if we get it right for Lassa fever, we will also get it right for the other communicable diseases whether it is cholera, Cerebrospinal Meningitis (CSM), Influenza, Middle East Respiratory syndrome (MERS-Co) or even Zika Virus.’’

 ‘’we have to be vigilant all the time. To me this is what should keep the trainees and graduates of the program awake at night thinking about pro-active strategies to deal with these diseases under the leadership of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control,’’ he added.

He assured the epidemiologists of his commitment to support the training programme as well as other capacity building efforts within the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

House Of Assembly To Support Kwara Tourism Development – Speaker

By
BWN
-

The Speaker, Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ali Ahmad, has pledged the house of assembly’s readiness to support the state government’s drive to improve the state economy through culture and tourism.

He stated that the move would go a long way in enhancing the sector and boost Kwara’s internally generated revenue (IGR) to further enable government meet the yearnings of the citizenry.

‎Ahmad said, “Without doubt, tourism is one of the key areas that would fetch the state government huge resources and aid development especially in the face of economy hardship being experienced in the country”.

UNICAL Graduates 7,222 Students

By
BWN
-

The University of Calabar, has graduated a total of 7,222 students, cutting across various disciplines at its 29th convocation ceremony.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Zana Akpagu stated, that the university was the first university in Nigeria to introduce a course in anti-corruption, as part of efforts to support the anti-corruption crusade by President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

According to Akpagu, he stated that after a thorough assessment, the graduating students were all found worthy both in character and learning to earn the institution’s certification.

This is 29th convocation, according to him, he stated that it records a total of 7,222 graduating students made up of 4,868 first degree holders, 952 higher degrees and 1,402 diplomas.

The vice also explained further that out of the total number of graduating students, 12 in different disciplines bagged first class, while 1,026 had second class upper degrees.

While complimenting the success recorded so far in the fight against corruption by President Muhammadu Buhari, Akpagu narrated how UNICAL pioneered an anti-corruption course, among Nigerian universities.

He added the initiative was aimed at inculcating in future leaders the virtues of hard work, honesty and patriotism; which will help to reduce corruption in the country.

The vice chancellor said, “Mr. President, your anti-corruption crusade which has earned us accolades both at home and abroad, is worthy of emulation.

He also said that,“We in the University of Calabar have also joined the crusade against corruption; we are the first University in the country to introduce the anti-corruption studies, designed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), for Nigeria Universities.

NERC Licences Ondo, Kingline Company to Generate 550MW of Electricity

By
BWN
-

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a licence to the Ondo State government and its South Korean partner, Kingline Development Company, to generate 550 mega watts of electricity in the state.

According to the Head of project, Akinnola Fola, the construction of the Independent Power Plant (IPP) would commence in June. He described the development as a major milestone in bringing the first phase of the Kingline Ondo IPP Limited to reality.

However, the state government, had sealed an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with POSCO E & C of South Korea for the first phase of the proposed1100-mega watt facility.

The phase involves the construction of a gas-fired power plant that would generate 550 MW of electricity to be linked to the national grid. The second is expected to add another 550MW. The project is expected is to be completed in 26 months from the date of commencement and issuance of notice to proceed (NTP).

IPMAN Blames Incessant Fuel Scarcity On NNPC Saboteurs

By
BWN
-

Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), has hinged the persistent fuel scarcity in the country on the nefarious activities of saboteurs in Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

According to the Chairman of IPMAN in Kano, Alh. Bashir Dan-Mallam, the incessant scarcity of the products may continue to ground commercial and socio-economic activities of the nation if the activities of the saboteurs are not nipped in the bud.

He insisted that the treacherous cabal in NNPC are bent to resist government reforms, adding that unless the elements are identified and flushed out of the system, challenges in the oil sector may degenerate.

CBN to Finance 60,000 Rice Farmers in Kano

By
BWN
-

Alhaji Isa Bawa, the Organising Secretary, Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), revealed that no fewer than 60, 000 rice farmers in Kano State will benefit from the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Anchor Borrowers Programme.

Bawa said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) required no fewer than 100,000 registered farmers before disbursing the fund. He also recalled that the Federal Government inaugurated the programme in November 2015 in Kebbi as part of effort to boost rice and wheat production in the country.

“The CBN has set aside N40 billion for the implementation of the programme in the state. We are trying to register at least 60,000 rice farmers so that the programme can start before the wet season,’’ Bawa said.

He said the association had also discussed with officials of the bank on the implementation of the programme “which is expected to begin between now and May.

“We are expected to have a minimum of 10 farmers and a maximum of 25 farmers in each cooperative.’’

Emir of Kano is the Chairman for UNILAG alumni’s 30th Anniversary

By
BWN
-

The Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, is made chairman for the grand finale of the University of Lagos Muslim Alumni’s (UMA) 30th anniversary, which will hold on Sunday, April 17, at the Grand Ball Room, Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Alhaji AbdulMumini Alao is the planning committee chairman, said that the event would feature the launch of a N150 million Scholarship Endowment Fund.
He said the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, would deliver a keynote address on “Nigeria: Strategies for a sustainable economy.”
Other special guests expected at the event include South-West governors; Lagos State deputy governor, Dr Idiat Adebule; Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos; MD/CEO, Sigma Pensions Limited, Alhaji Umaru Modibbo; Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Rahaman Bello; Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Mr Biodun Shobanjo of Troyka Holdings; Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi of Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Alhaja Wonuola Folami, among others.
Alao  also said post-humous merit awards would be conferred on former Baba Adinni of Nigeria, Alhaji Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo; former Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Azeez Arisekola Alao and Alhaji Rasheed Oyekan.
He said plans were on to visit to Bab Es-salam Orphanage in Ikeja; Modupe Cole Orphanage at Akoka; Federal Prisons in Ikoyi, Lagos, as part of activities for the anniversary.

Nigeria Records Downturn in Food Importation Since Oil Slump

By
BWN
-
Nigeria has recorded a decrease in volume of imported food products and live animals following the drop in world oil and gas price.Import and Export Trade volume report released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) revealed that general import levels saw a decline with imported food and live animals having merely 15.0 per cent of import size at the end of quarter four (Q4) of 2015.

The structure of Nigeria’s import according to the report showed that machinery and transport equipment got the lion’s share of import volume in the period under review with 32.4 per cent import volume, followed by mineral fuel import, which had 18.5 per cent of import volume in the period under review.

“The report indicates that value of Nigeria’s imports stood at N1,576.4 billion at the end of Q4 in 2015, 6.6 per cent less than the N1,688.2 billion recorded in the preceding quarter. Comparison with the corresponding quarter of 2014 showed a decrease of N454.6 billion or 22.4 per cent.

“The structure of Nigeria’s imports, according to SITC, was dominated by the imports of “machinery and transport equipment”, “mineral fuel”, and “food and live animals”, which accounted for 32.4 per cent, 18.5 per cent and 15.0 per cent in 2015,” the NBS said.

Sterling Bank Plc Train 15,000 Students

By
BWN
-

About 15,000 students in primary and secondary schools across the country benefited from the voluntary teaching programme organised by Sterling Bank Plc in honouring of the 2016 Financial Literacy Week which was held last week.

According to the training, it is part of the ‘One Education’ initiative of Sterling Bank in order to further combine the strategic focus of the bank on education and its commitment to youth empowerment and development in line with the Financial Literacy Policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

This Financial Literacy Week is usually observed annually under the Global Money Week and it is recognized nationwide as part of efforts to establish and maintain healthy financial habits among kids and teenagers which Sterling Bank also identifies with.

However, the CBN assigned Gateway Secondary School, Abeokuta, Ogun State, to the bank, Sterling Bank, It also, took the initiative to include additional schools from states such as Ekiti, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Plateau, Bornu, Gombe, and Bauchi. Others schools in Kwara, Lagos, Edo, Delta, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, which were equally adopted by the bank to enable it cover more areas. Copies of the revised edition of its two books on financial literacy: ‘My Little Money Book’ and ‘Funds,’ and gift items, such as school bags and writing materials, were distributed free to students.

Shina Atilola,The group head, Strategy & Communications of the bank also, who represented the managing director and chief executive of Sterling bank, Mr Yemi Adeola, in Abeokuta, explained that the bank took the decision to expand the coverage beyond the scope assigned to it by the CBN in order to reach out to more students and teach them how to learn the culture of financial management at a young age. This, according to him, would enable them to understand the basic elements of financial management, adding that “the Sterling volunteers’ team had used the opportunity of this year’s programme to impart useful knowledge, discipline and patriotism to the younger generation.”

According to him, he noted that Sterling Bank had remained consistent in providing adequate support for child education by providing materials that could be of help to them in their educational pursuits. The Bank also provided an e-library for the College of Education, Ikere Ekiti to improve the nations’s educational sector under our ‘One Education!’ initative.

Mr. Atilola also added that “Our objective is to transform education; to invest in education and enable investment ion the sector.

 

Licences Of Private Refineries Still Intact – DPR

By
BWN
-

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said that the licences of private refineries which failed to come on stream between 2002 and 2014 have not been withdraw. It also said the licences of all private refineries, both conventional and modular, would be valid till 2017.

It noted that the $1 million commitment fee mentioned in the publication is no longer a requirement in the current guidelines for establishment of refineries in Nigeria

DPR stated: “There are currently 25 private refinery licences issued by DPR and not 45 as stated in your report. Of the 25 licences, 21 are in the Licence to Establish (LTE) category, while four are in the Approval to Construct (ATC) category.

Of these, three are billed to construct conventional stick-build plants and 22 will construct modular units with a combined capacity of 1,429,000 barrels per day (bpd)

“DPR did not revoke the licences issued to investors in 2004 as claimed in the report, rather, the Department granted Approvals to Construct (ATC) to 17 companies with a 24 months validity period.

“This culminated in the review of the statutory framework for licensing and the birth of a new guiding document ‘Guidelines for the Establishment of Hydrocarbon Processing Plants in Nigeria’ which is currently in use.”

Gov Almakura Earmarks N500m For Rural Roads Construction

By
BWN
-

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa state has disclosed that the state government has earmarked N500m for the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads and bridges in the state. He added that rural emancipation has been the centrepiece of his administration’s focus.

Almakura said areas that are most vulnerable and have the worst challenges are those in the Lafia east and Lafia north development areas. He explained that so far about 33 bridges and box culverts have been identified in the southern senatorial zone alone with 13 on the Ashige, Alawagana, Gidan Buba, Fadama Bauna Abulagu roads visited by the governor.

He further revealed that government has engaged the services of Triacta Nig. Ltd who have the capacity and sophistication to complete the work before the rains peaked and have been given two months to complete the projects.

The State Has Saved N500m Monthly From Payroll Verification Exercise – El-Rufai

By
BWN
-

Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-rufai has revealed that the on-going payroll verification exercise is already helping the state to save N500m monthly.

The governor stated that steady progress has been made since the verification process for workers and pensioners commenced in June 2015.

He added that “the results so far show that the payroll for wages and pensions has declined from the N2.7bn it cost to pay workers in May 2015.”

“To build on this success and ensure the integrity of the payroll, the government is pressing ahead with the concluding phase of the verification exercise.

“This is expected to end in April 2016. Workers who have patiently partaken in the exercise since June 2015 should demonstrate the same spirit now that verification is close to the finishing line.

“As an employer, the government regrets that some workers have encountered hitches during the verification process. The process we have launched to end in April will give a conclusive picture of public service data and hasten redress for the affected workers.Employees should update their personnel records fully.’’

Lampe Omoyele to Speak on Research at PRCAN Business Meeting

By
BWN
-

The Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria will hold the sixth edition of its highly acclaimed PR Breakfast Meeting session on Thursday, March 24, 2016 at Amber Residence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Guest speaker is Mr. Lampe Omoyele, Managing Director of Nielsen West Africa, a foremost research company who will treat the topic, ‘Research as a Strategic IMC Function.’

Omoyele has a rich experience in gathering data on consumer habits and choices across 100 countries and has been in brand management and sales for about 25 years.

The previous well attended five sessions had featured speakers from various segments of communications and marketing. They included Kufre Ekanam, Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries; Emeka Oparah, Director of Corporate Communications and CSR at Airtel Networks; and David Okeme, who was then Brand Building Director at Unilever Plc and President of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).

Others were: Tony Ojobo, Director of Public Affairs at Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Mrs Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at Stanbic IBTC.

This session will be sponsored by PRCAN member-firm, Publicis|Soulcomms and will be attended by PR agency heads, senior managers within and outside PRCAN member-firms and the media.

Speaking about the event, the President of PRCAN, John Ehiguese explained that data had become the new currency and a means of choosing what service to offer to consumers and that research was the only way to gather such data.

He said: “In today’s business world, research has become increasingly important and data is now the new currency. Companies that carry out research and collect data are able to gather consumer insights by analysing the data collected which help them make informed decisions on what services to offer and how to better manage their clients. The session with Lampe will allow participants tap into his vast knowledge of consumer insight.”

PRCAN is the consulting arm of NIPR established by a bye-law. Membership is exclusively restricted to consulting firms whose key executives must be members of NIPR and registered to practice public relations in Nigeria.

Its primary objective is to promote professional reputation management in Nigeria within the public and private sectors. It is also committed to maintaining professional standards and discipline among  members and providing facilities/professional capacity for the public and private sectors to meet their PR consultancy needs.

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