By Adeyemi Adeleye

Sen. Ita Enang, a former presidential adviser on Niger Delta Affairs, says INEC must recognise outcome of the APC Akwa-Ibom governorship primaries conducted by the Austin Ekanem-led Executive.

Enang made this remark in a letter dated July 5 and addressed to the APC National Chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Lagos.

Enang was reacting to controversies and protests surrounding the May 26 APC governorship primaries and INECs report that the APC did not conduct any governorship election primary in Akwa Ibom.

The letter was titled:. Akwa Ibom APC Fruitless Primaries and No Candidates Challenge : Electoral Act 2022, Our Bigger Than the Law Posturing and Not INEC is Our Problem.

Enang urged the chairman and the National Working Committee (NWC) to prevent a situation where the APC would have no candidates in the elections.

He explained that the National Assembly in the 2010 Electoral Act vested much powers as to congresses and conventions to choose candidates on political parties, expressing same to be the internal affairs of the respective political parties.

According to him, the 2022 Electoral Act confers monitoring and indeed more active functions and powers on the electoral management body (INEC) from their experiences in the actions of the management of the respective political parties in the conduct of party primaries and party affairs generally.

Enang said: The section 84 (1) says that nomination congress shall be monitored by INEC.

INEC did not monitor these purported congresses that produced the candidate in the Ntukepo led executive, and so cannot be obliged to file the products thereof.

INEC was at the Austin Ekanem led executive and duly monitored the Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly primaries according to law and therefore, only bound to accept, and file the candidates therefrom emerging.

Therefore, in accordance with sections 84 (5)(c) of the Electoral Act 2022 as Amended, it is the aspirant who emerged from the INEC monitored, senatorial, Reps and assembly primaries being winners of the primaries of the party and the aspirants name shall be forwarded to the commission as the candidate of the party.

He said the names forwarded to INEC were not the names of persons who emerged from valid primaries monitored by INEC and conducted by legitimate officials of the party.

The senator said the names sent were the ones conducted by the Ntukepo led club not monitored by INEC.

By failing or refusing to send the names of the aspirants who emerged from validly conducted primaries monitored by INEC, the party is latently declaring that it does not intend to sponsor candidates for the senatorial, house of representatives and house of assembly elections.

This is the law and INEC is bound to comply, he added.

He said that sections 84(13) prohibited INEC from including our candidate for the said legislative houses elections.

Enang added that even if INEC were to mistakenly or inadvertently include these candidates that emerged from invalid primaries, other political parties would sue INEC and such inclusion would be annulled.

Section 84(8) provides for the election of delegates to vote in primaries for legislative, gubernatorial and presidential elections.

It is therefore, important to determine which delegates voted at the purported Ntukepo led executives, he said.

He said the judgment recognising Ntukepo as chairman of the party related to the state executives and in fact chairmanship of the state executives, saying the Ward Congresses and Local Government Chapter Congresses were long concluded and therefore not in contention in the judgment.

Enang said, therefore, that the ward chairmen and officers, the local government chapter chairmen and officers under the Austin Ekanem led executive were not affected by the judgment.

He added: These are the leadership that legitimately elected INEC monitored delegates to the states congresses and National Convention.

Accordingly, only these delegates can, as INEC insisted, elect the governorship and presidential candidates as the various courts ordered at the national convention on June 7,at Abuja.

It is the list of these national delegates that emerged at the Austine Ekanem led wards and local government chapter led executives that INEC national headquarters produced during accreditation at International Conference Centre, Abuja, as the list they monitored at wards and chapter levels which they have at their office and their records, which any person can today apply and obtain a certified copy.

Afortiori, It is only the delegates list of the Austine led executive, under the law and in fact that can be used to elect gubernatorial, senatorial, house of representatives and house of assembly candidates.

He said the judgments that made Ntukepo the chairman, related to the office of the chairman and not the entire state executives, because it was the only office contended and adjudicated upon and not the entire state executive.

Enang said the candidates for the senatorial, house of representatives and house of assembly in the primaries monitored by INEC should be forwarded to INEC as candidates of the party.

According to him, the chairman and NWC should certify and forward to the party leaders in Akwa Ibom, the list of authentic and authenticated ward executives, local governments chapter executives and state executives who may have emerged from valid INEC monitored respective congresses at wards, chapter and state levels, to enable actors know who to deal through.

Enang said: If it appears too confusing, challenging, fraudulent, illegal, unworkable, confidence deficient, debasing, shamefully and incapable of leading to electoral success, the NEC and NWC should do the needful.

The party and members should please consider all the issues heretofore stated, and we will accept that INEC is not the problem but the Electoral Act, which must be complied with or we will not have candidates.

If the party decides to abandon and exclude Akwa Ibom in the filing of legislative candidates, who emerged from valid primaries known to law and INEC, insisting on rights only known to repealed Electoral Act 2010, we will not have rallying and vocal candidates in the various senatorial districts and constituencies who will be the rallying agents to garner votes for our presidential candidate.

Can we go into election with these incoherent clubs in the guise of executive which cannot get to draw a state theme for the campaigns?

Can the different tendencies mount the same podium to campaign for our candidate to produce result? The answer is in the negative.

Enang, who expressed the assurances of his loyalty to the party, promised to abide by the decision of the party whatever the pain I shall not port, but abide. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Source: NAN News

By Solomon Asowata

The Nigerian petroleum industry on Wednesday in Abuja held a night of tributes for the departed Dr Mohammed Barkindo, the Secretary-General of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Barkindo passed on in Abuja on Tuesday at the age of 63.

He was buried on Wednesday in Yola, Adamawa State, in accordance with Islamic rites.

Speaking at the ceremony which coincided with the 2022 Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Award, Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Managing Director, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd., said Barkindos demise was a shock to the industry.

Represented by Mr Adetunji Adeyemi, the Group Executive Director, Downstream, NNPC, Kyari prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Mr Mike Sangster, the Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Ltd., said the loss was for the family, the country Nigeria, the oil and gas industry and the world at large.

Sangster who was represented by Mr Charles Ebereonwu, the Country Communications Manager, TotalEnergies Nigeria, described Barkindo as a humble and hardworking man who made enormous contributions to the oil and gas industry.

All we can do is to pray for the family for the fortitude to bear the loss and the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest, he said.

Also, Mr Rick Kennedy, the Chairman, Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS), described Barkindo as a true giant of the industry.

Kennedy said the contributions of the departed global energy leader could not be overemphasised, adding that his death was a huge loss to the sector.

On his part, Mr Osagie Okunbor, the Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, said Barkindo was an iconic figure in the oil and gas industry whose death came as a very rude shock to stakeholders.

Okunbor said OPEC was able to overcome multiple crisis due to his outstanding leadership, adding that he made Nigeria and Nigerians proud on the global stage.

In his tribute, Mr Simbi Wabote, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, said Barkindo was a role model and someone worthy to be admired.

He was the icon of our time. His death is a great loss to Nigeria. God knows best. When our time is up, there is nothing we can do.

He has played his part and we can only continue from where he stopped, Wabote said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

===============
Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

Bonds

By Kadiri Abdulrahman

The Federal Government is set to generate about N720 billion in the third quarter of 2022 from FGN Bonds.

This is according to FGN Bond Issuance Calendar For Third Quarter, 2022 as released by the Debt Management Office (DMO).

The calendar shows that the DMO will re-open nine previously issued FGN Bonds between July and September.

According to the calendar, on July 18, the DMO will re-open a 13 per cent, March 2025 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion.

It has a maturity date of two years, eight months, with original 10-year tenor.

Also on July 18, the DMO will re-open a 12.5 per cent, April 2032 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion.

It has nine years, nine months term-of-maturity; with 10-year original tenor.

The office will, again, re-open a 13 per cent, Jan. 2042 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion on the same date.

It has 19 years, six months term-of-maturity, and an original tenor of 20-year.

On Aug. 15, the DMO will re-open the 13.53 per cent, March 2025 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion, with two years, seven months as term-of-maturity.

It has an original tenor of 10-year.

On the same date, it will re-open the 12.50 per cent, April 2032 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion; with term-of-maturity of nine years, eight months.

It has a 10-year original tenor.

Again, on Aug. 15, it will re-open the 13 per cent, 2042 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion; with 19 years, five months as term-of-maturity.

It has a 20-year original tenor.

The calendar also shows that, on Sept. 19, the DMO will again re-open the 13.53 percent, March 2025 FGN Bond, valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion.

It has two years, six months term-of-maturity and 10-year original tenor.

Again, on Sept 19, the DMO will re-open 12.50, April 2032 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion and N80 billion, with nine years, seven months as term-of-maturity.

It has a 10-year original tenor (

On the same date, the office will, again, re-open the Jan. 2042 FGN Bond valued at between N70 billion to N80 billion; with 19 years, four months as term-of-maturity.

It has original tenor of 20-year.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Re-opening a Bond issue refers to issuing additional amounts of a previously issued Bond.

Re-opened Bonds have the same maturity date and interest rate as the original bonds, but they are sold on different dates and usually at a different price.

The DMO, however, said that the calendar was provisional and could be subject to change at short notice. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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edited by Sadiya Hamza

Source: NAN News

By Obinna Unaeze

Borgu (Niger), July 6, 2022 (NAN) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), says it will support 369 farmers in Niger with inputs worth N78.4 million in the ongoing 2022 wet season farming.

Dr Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator (NPC) Federal Government/IFAD-VCDP, disclosed this on Wednesday in Borgu, Niger, during the inauguration of the 2022 wet season input distribution to the benefiting farmers.

Aliyu, represented by Dr Chika Unamma, Agriculture Production Advisor, VCDP, Abuja, said that the exercise was implemented under the VCDP-Additional Financing (AF).

We are spending N78.4 million for the 2022 wet season farming in Niger state but the emphasis is on the three local government areas of Borgu, Edati and Mokwa benefiting in the VCDP-AF.

A total of 369 farmers from Niger state will benefit in the rice and cassava VCDP, she said.

She said that for this years wet season farming, the VCDP would support the farmers with 369 hectares of land, adding that out of the figure, rice would be cultivated on 302 hectares, while cassava takes 67 hectares.

She said that in Borgu Local Government Area, 108 farmers would benefit in the programme which would gulp N16.5 million.

She urged the farmers to utilise the inputs to increase yields to boost food production, increase their wealth and improve their living standard.

Inaugurating the programme, Gov. Abubakar Bello of Niger, directed the state Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to ensure that the benefitting farmers get the inputs.

Bello represented by Alhaji Yusuf Gunnu, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, eulogised the state government for counter-funding agriculture intervention programmes, including the VCDP in the state, hence, the huge successes recorded.

Similarly, Dr Mathew Ahmed, the State Programme Coordinator (SPC), said that among the three local governments, 108 farmers would benefit from Borgu, 113 from Edati and 148 from Mokwa.

Ahmed explained that each farmer would get four bags of NPK fertiliser, two bags of Urea fertilisers, one certified 25kg bag of rice seeds and one litre of herbicide.

He said each cassava farmer would be given 50 bundles of cassava cuttings with same number of NPKand Urea fertiliser and herbicide.

He said that the support was based on 50 per cent matching grant that would be paid by the beneficiaries, while the VCDP pays the balance of 50 per cent.

He said that before the farmers would access the inputs; they would pay 50 per cent of the worth and document same at the redemption centre.

He said that the programme was designed to achieve increase in yield, whereby the rice farmers yield would increase to 7.5 metric tons per hectare and the cassava farmer increase yields to 30 metric tons per hectare.

Ahmed said that the VCDP had set up a monitoring team to ensure that the farmers utilise the inputs judiciously.

Also, Alhaji Mohammed Dantoro, Emir of Borgu, who appreciated the Federal Government, the state and IFAD for the gesture, promising that the Emirate would ensure the farmers use the inputs for the purpose they were meant for.

Responding, Mrs Deborah Peter, one of the benefiting farmers who thanked the government and IFAD for the assistance, promised to utilise the inputs to benefit again.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IFAD-VCDP is a collaboration among Federal Government, IFAD and nine participating states of Anambra, Benue, Enugu, Ebonyi, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Taraba and Ogun.

Rice and cassava farmers were included to benefit from VCDP-Additional Financing after the programme recorded huge success in all the participating states.

There are currently 33,200 VCDP farmers in Niger spread across the eight benefiting local government areas of Bida, Katcha, Kontagora, Shiroro, Edati, Borgu, Wushishi and Mokwa. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Julius Toba-Jegede

Source: NAN News

By Aisha Cole

Two female passengers died after a boat mishap in Ikorodu, Lagos State on Wednesday, according to theLagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

The General Manager, LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, said in a statement thatthe boat submerged immediately after it departed the Ipakodo ferry terminal in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Emmanuel said that the 20-passenger ferry, namedR

By Emmanuella Anokam

Participants at the ongoing 2022 Nigerian Oil and Gas (NOG) conference have expressed grief on the sudden death of Dr Mohammad Barkindo, the Secretary-General, Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Barkindo passed away on Tuesday at 11 p.m. in Nigeria.

Barkindo, whose tenure as the OPEC Secretary-General ends July 31, was in Nigeria to attend the ongoing Nigerian Oil and Gas conference in Abuja, holding from July 4 to July 7.

NAN reports that the ambience at the conference venue is low and solemn, while participants are moody over the loss of what they described as a great asset to the nation.

Some oil and gas industrys experts, stakeholders and participants expressed shock and pain over his demise.

Mr Olabode Sowunmi, the Senior Legislative Aide, Gas and Power to the Senate President said it was an exceedingly great loss to the energy industry at large and Nigeria in particular.

This world is a stage and we are mere actors. We pray that his soul rest in peace, he said.

Mr Tony Ukpo, the Assistant Director, Public Affairs Unit, Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) said it was a sad moment for industry stakeholders, Nigeria and the world.

He was a perfect gentleman; we were with him yesterday, in fact, he died in active service, he will be missed fondly by everybody, he said.

Mr Krishan Yadav, IER Business Development, Vertiville Energy expressed shock, saying the global industry community, including his country, India would miss the great professional.

Dr Iyang Iyang, the Managing Director, UTS Consultancy Ltd. expressed sadness that the nation has lost a great man.

But we cannot query God rather we have to accept it because he believes it is Gods appointed time for his death.

My Sylvester Edet, the General Manger, UTS, described him as an irreplaceable gentleman and expert, adding that it was saddening, a big loss for the industry and nation at large.

Also speaking, Mr Micheal Adeagbo, an Engineer with Clerke Energy, described the death as pathetic, adding that nothing could be done than to pray for his family and wished his legacies would live on.

Alhaji Mohammed Danzaki, the President, Association of Distributors and Transporters of Petroleum Products (ADITOP) said the news was sad and also prayed God to accept his soul.

NAN reports that OPEC secretariat has described him as the much loved leader of the secretariat, adding that his passing is a profound loss to the entire OPEC family, oil and gas industry and international community.

Barkindo earlier on Tuesday visited President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, where he was hailed by the president for being a worthy ambassador to Nigeria. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News

By Emmanuella Anokam

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), said the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) had introduced incentives to grow reserves.

The commission also said that the aim of the Act was to increase Nigerias daily production towards attaining 40 billion barrels and 220TCF of oil and gas reserves.

It said the incentives would also enable the country attain production target of three million barrel per day (3mb/d).

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the Commission Chief Executive (CCE) NUPRC, spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the ongoing 21st Nigerian Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, tagged Funding the Nigerian Energy Mix for Sustainable Economic Growth.

Komolafe spoke on Providing Regulatory Oversight in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) Era.

He said that Nigerians craved a legal regulatory framework for the oil and gas industry, one robust enough to effectively regulate the sector for optimum productivity and efficiency.

Komolafe thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Ninth Assembly for the PIA passage.

He said it provided for administrative, institutional governance, attractive fiscal regimes, mechanisms for improved environment and peaceful co-existence between operators and host communities.

According to him the act empowers the commission on technical and commercial regulation of the Upstream Petroleum activities in a manner to ensure sustainable hydrocarbon exploration and production at optimum cost.

He said the act also dealt on issues of environmental remediation, decommissioning, and abandonment, and setting up of Host Community Development Trust (HCDT).

Komolafe said that the sixth schedule of the act provided for production allowance wherein performance in terms of production milestone was rewarded.

He said it introduced a mandatory Decommissioning and Abandonment Fund prescribed under Section 232 and 233, adoption of Grid System for Acreages under Section 69, HCDT under Chapter three which replaced MOUs and GMOUs.

These, he said were aimed at achieving operational efficiency, higher productivity, cost optimisation, cleaner and safe upstream environment.

According to him, the PIA 2021 under Chapter four and the seventh schedule provided attractive fiscal terms for the Petroleum Industry which included Progressive royalty rates compared to pre-PIA royalty rates for all terrains.

Others, he included are Reduced Royalties (to 2.5 per cent) for gas produced and utilised locally, introduction of hydrocarbon tax and company income tax that are cumulatively lower than Petroleum Profit Tax Pre-PIA

Zero hydrocarbon tax for deep offshore operations, consolidated taxation on lease- and company-basis and other fiscal incentives.

These sweeping reforms are geared toward creating additional opportunities for new investments and higher revenue for both government and investors, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Ese E. Eniola Williams

Source: NAN News

By AbdulFatai Beki

The Kwara House of Assembly on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of five commissioner nominees submitted by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The confirmation of the nominees was sequel to their thorough screening at the Committee of Whole at the plenary.

The newly confirmed commissioners are Afeez Abolore Alabi from Ilorin East; Adenike Afolabi Oshatimehin Ifelodun; Wahab Femi Agbaje Offa; Gidado Lateef Alakawa Asa; and Ibrahim Akaje Ilorin West.

The Speaker, Mr Yakuhu Danladi, thereafter directed the Clerk of the House, Hajia Haleemah Kperogi, to communicate the notice of the confirmation to the governor.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the confirmed commissioners are expected to replace some cabinet members who resigned their appointments recently to pursue political ambitions.

Also during Tuesdays plenary, the suspension of the lawmaker representing Ilorin-South Constituency, Mr Raheem Jimoh-Agboola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was lifted.

The suspension of Agboola was lifted following an apology letter written to the House by the suspended lawmaker and read by the Speaker during the plenary.

The speaker directed that Agboola be ushered into the hallowed Chamber to resume in the legislative business.

NAN recalls that the lawmaker was suspended by the House in January 2022, after he was disallowed to attend the presentation of the 2022 Appropriation Bill by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Agboola, while speaking with NAN on the lifting of his suspension, confirmed that he wrote an apology letter to the Speaker to allow peace reign in his constituency in particular and the state at large.

I am one voice out of the majority and for peace and harmony of the state to continue to prevail and desired development to my constituency, l have to make amend with them, the lawmaker said.

The people of my constituency should beef up as we prepare for another elections by acquiring their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to vote credible leaders, Agboola added. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola

Source: NAN News

By Justina Auta

Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and The Albino Foundation (TAF)
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and other
marginalised groups in the society.

The National President of NAWOJ, Mrs Ladi Bala, said during the signing of the legal documents on Tuesday in Abuja,
that the MoU would give more visibility to issues affecting PWDs and other vulnerable groups in the country.

Bala says journalists are critical stakeholders in advancing the cause of governance, hence will use their platforms to
create space that will highlight and bring necessary changes on issues affecting PWDs.

He added that our role is to create visibility on their issues and we also need to galvanise the society to see them
as normal human beings with equal rights.

They should not be looked down on, their rights should not be trampled upon and their dignity should be upheld.

We are concerned about that and because we have the platform and as part of our constitutional responsilities as watchdog
of the society, we decided to build the capacity of journalists nationwide to understand issues on PWDs.

This is because when they understand it better, they will be able to craft their messages in such a manner that it will elicit
the kind of response from the members of the society.

We should conscientise the society and mobilise them to give the necessary support to these people, give them their space
and their rights must be respected and their dignity upheld, she said.

According to her, the association has over 15,000 members nationwide; hence it will highlight issues of PWDs on their media spaces.

She, however, explained that inadequate funding had been a bane in achieving some of its goals, and urged development partners
and other stakeholders to support the organisation.

Mr Jake Epelle, the Founder of TAF, said the MoU was apt, as it would further highlight issues affecting PWDs and ensure
full implementation of the Disability Act.

Epelle added that the newly inaugurated members of the Journalists for Disability Inclusion would ensure increased
visibility on inclusion for marginalised members of the society.

Esme Stuart, Programme Manager on Gender and Human Rights, European Union (EU), reiterated the commitment of the commission
to ensure the rights of PWDs were respected.

She said disability rights are key priority and the EU has a disability rights inclusion strategy that focuses not only on our programme
but ensures disability inclusion in our organisation.

Todays signing of MoU brings in two key priorities for the EU, including womens rights, gender equality and the rights of PWDs.

We are working to make it more inclusive, not only because it is a human rights but we believe it makes the society better and
more inclusive.

Mr Chris Isiguzo, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), said the MoU would enable the media to
prioritise issues affecting PWDs like the disability act and its level of implementation.

He said now the media will begin to talk about PWDs because we are talking about a group of persons that cannot talk for themselves.

Now the media will become their voice and begin to talk about issues that concern them and these are the primary essence of the
partnership between NAWOJ and The Albino Foundation.

NAWOJ will begin to galvanise support from the media community, affiliate organisations so that the essence of this partnership
will not be lost. (NAN)( www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Source: NAN News

By Lucy Ogalue

The Federal Government on Tuesday underscored the importance of capacity building in the growth and development of the countrys maritime industry.

The Minister of State for Transportation, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki said this at the 16th International Maritime Seminar for Judges held in Abuja.

It is a common knowledge that most of our maritime transportation is conducted by foreign ship owners.

Thereby limiting the economic benefits accruable to the nation and the sub-region in areas such as creation of jobs, freight and insurance earnings etc.

It is in the above regard that the development of a national fleet becomes imperative.

The present administration is looking into ways of encouraging the establishment of a private sector-driven national shipping line to ensure maximum exploitation of the potential in our maritime industry.

A Ministerial Committee has been working on this important initiative and I look forward to having their concrete recommendations for immediate implementation., Saraki said.

Represented by the Director of Procurement in the ministry, Mr Hussein Adamu, Saraki said the government was ready to implement various initiatives on the ease of doing business, including in the maritime sector in order to open up all the potential of the Nigerian business environment.

May I reiterate the commitment of the Nigerian government towards the implementation of various initiatives on the ease of doing business, including in the maritime sector in order to open up all the potential of the Nigerian business environment.

I am also pleased to state that following the recommendations of the Nigerian Shippers Councils communiques, the government has geared up efforts to sanitise and foster global best practices in port operations.

And in this regard has developed a working document called the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) and constituted an Inter-Agency Task Team led by the Nigerian Shippers Council for its implementation.

The NPPM reflects the internationally acceptable processes in port operations by spelling out a step-by-step processes and specific roles of government agencies and private operators at all levels in the port.

The process of ensuring the gazzetting of the Process Manual in order to give it the requisite regulatory teeth is ongoing.

. That step will further complement the critical role of the Nigerian Shippers Council as the Port Economic Regulator in our jurisdiction.

According to him, government will continue to support the NSC in this role in order to ensure the smooth, effective and successful implementation of the mandate given to it.

The Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Justice Bode Vivour said the seminar provided a specialised form for the judicial officers to be equipped with requisite skills and knowledge as a means to an efficient and effective judicial resolution of maritime cases.

He said:The judiciary as we all know, is the lifeline of democratic societies. The need to strengthen our respective judiciary cannot be overemphasised.

A strong and independent judiciary, which practices international best standards, promote stability, protects rights, and guarantees fair and expeditious outcomes.

Judiciarys importance pertains to the political and social life of the people and acts as a catalyst for economic change and development of a nation.

An effective judicial system is a key pillar of an efficient economy and plays a vital role in a nations economic performance.

According to him, a strong and independent judiciary which decisions are rendered fairly transparently within reasonable time limits and in accordance with international recognises norms, encourages foreign as well as local private sector investment.

The three days seminar was attended by Chief Justices of Sierra leone, Ghana, Kenya and the Gambia who gave their goodwill messages.

Others who were in attendance included stakeholders in the maritime and judiciary sector.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Grace Yussuf

Source: NAN News