Business
As controversy over Maersk-FG port investment rages, Onanuga says no $600m deal signed
As controversy over Maersk-FG port investment rages, Onanuga says no $600m deal signed
The Nigerian government and a shipping giant, Maersk, have not signed any investment agreement, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to President Bola Tinubu, has said.
Onanuga was reacting to the controversy surrounding the reported sealing of a $600 million deal for the development of the nation’s seaports.
He said there was only talk “of possible investment in Nigeria” by Maersk.
Interestingly Onanuga had hinted about the deal in a tweet said to have been pulled down after the social media backlash.
After President Tinubu’s discussion with Maersk’s Chairman Robert Uggla on April 28, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Special Meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the presidency had released a statement announcing that the shipping company had pledged to inject $600 million into the Nigerian seaport industry.
“Danish shipping company, A.P Moller-Maersk plans $600m investment in Nigeria. Danish shipping and logistics company A.P Moller-Maersk has disclosed a planned investment of $600 million in Nigeria to accommodate more container shipping services in Nigerian ports,” Onanuga wrote on X.
In a statement, Tinubu’s spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, also said “President Tinubu meets Chairman of Danish shipping giant Maersk, secures $600 million investment in Nigerian seaport infrastructure.” He quoted Uggla as saying, “We believe in Nigeria, and we will invest $600m in existing facilities and make the ports accommodating for bigger ships.”
In response to this. Maersk officials have denied any such agreement and stress no deals have been signed.
Onanuga in a new report by TheCable, an online news platform admitted no agreement on investment had been reached by the two parties.
“I think the statement issued by Maersk did not talk about a deal. There was no deal according to that statement that I read.
“However, there was talk of investment,” the special adviser said.
“No document or agreement was signed, so there was no deal. But there was talk of a possible investment in the country.
“So, go and read the statement again. They never said any deal was signed between the Nigerian government and the Dutch company. There was nothing like that.”
Onanuga however said the shipping company did not expressly deny that there was an investment talk.
He said people are “unnecessarily giddy over nothing.
Business
NNPCL rolls out 12 new CNG stations in Lagos, Abuja
NNPCL rolls out 12 new CNG stations in Lagos, Abuja
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL), on Thursday commissioned 12 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations to reduce transportation cost in the country.
Tinubu had on May 29, last year announced the removal of subsidy on petrol, a development that made the price rise from N197 per liter to N690 per liter.
The newly built CNG stations, which had six in Lagos and six in Abuja, were commissioned by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Together, the Abuja and Lagos stations have a combined dispensing capacity of over 6 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of CNG per day, serving approximately 15,000 vehicles daily.
The newly built CNG stations, which had six in Lagos and six in Abuja, were commissioned by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo.
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Together, the Abuja and Lagos stations have a combined dispensing capacity of over 6 million standard cubic feet (MMSCF) of CNG per day, serving approximately 15,000 vehicles daily.
Also speaking at the occasion, the managing director, NNPC Retail Limited, Mr Huub Stokman, revealed that in the next one year, NNPC Retail would have launched over 100 CNG sites, including 16 NNPC gas marketing and NIPCO gas JV sites.
“CNG provides Nigeria with affordable alternatives to existing available fuel products. It will be about 40 per cent cheaper than petrol in Nigeria; and with continued investments, it will become a significant part of our energy mix,” Stokman added.
On his part, the chairman of the NNPC Board of Directors, Chief Pius Akinyelure, said increased CNG adoption would foster economic benefits by reducing fuel cost for consumers and businesses alike.
Under the presidential CNG initiative, NNPC and NIPCO gas entered into a strategic partnership for expansion of CNG stations across Nigeria. Under this partnership, 35 CNG stations are to be constructed across Nigeria.
These CNG stations feature advanced reciprocating and hydraulic booster compressors, ensuring a dispensing pressure of 200 bar for CNG vehicles.
The CNG is supplied to stations in Abuja and Lagos via virtual transportation from mother stations in Ajaokuta, Kogi State and lbafo in Ogun state.
NNPCL rolls out 12 new CNG stations in Lagos, Abuja
Railway
Nigerian Railway Corporation suspends Warri-Itakpe train after derailment
Nigerian Railway Corporation suspends Warri-Itakpe train after derailment
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the suspension of its train services from Warri in Delta State to Itakpe in Kogi State, starting from Friday, July 5th.
The suspension is due to an obstruction on the track, according to the NRC.
This is contained in a notice sent to customers titled “Public Announcement” on Friday, saying that the agency would likely resume operations on Monday, July 8, 2024.
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It read, “This is to officially notify our esteemed passengers that Warri-Itakpe Train will not run today being Friday, 5th July 2024 due to the obstruction we have on our track.
“We shall resume our normal train services on Monday 8th July 2024. Passengers who already booked their tickets online will be refunded.”
“All inconveniences is highly regretted. Thank you,” the statement added.
The train reportedly derailed on Thursday, July 4 at about 7.15pm.
A passenger on the train said it wobbled along its track at several locations and derailed.
It was however learnt that the NRC team was working to fix the problem.
Nigerian Railway Corporation suspends Warri-Itakpe train after derailment
Business
NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators
NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the Permits for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) licenses of ten private jet operators for failing to comply with an earlier recertification directive aimed at curbing the misuse of private jets for commercial operations.
In a statement signed by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, the NCAA explained that the operators did not adhere to the directive issued on April 16, 2024, requiring re-evaluation by April 19, 2024.
This directive was intended to ensure compliance with Part 18.3.4 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023, which prohibits PNCF holders from using their aircraft for commercial operations or charter services.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of PNCF from using their aircraft for CARRIAGE OF PASSENGERS, CARGO or MAIL for HIRE or REWARD (commercial operation or charter services).
“As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation which should have been concluded by the 19th of April 2024.
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“To this end, the NCAA has suspended the PERMIT FOR NON-COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS of ten private jet operators,” the statement read in part.
The ten suspended private jet operators whose PNCF licenses were suspended over failure to commence the recertification process include:
- Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd.
- Bli-Aviation Safety Services
- Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd.
- Matrix Energy Ltd.
- Marrietta Management Services Ltd.
- Worldwide Skypaths Services
- Mattini Airline Services Ltd.
- Aero Lead Ltd.
- Sky Bird Air Ltd
- Ezuma Jets Ltd.
The statement also informed the public that engaging PNCF holders for commercial purposes is illegal, and the NCAA will promptly take enforcement actions against any violators.
Additionally, NCAA officials have been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of airports to monitor the activities of PNCF holders, the statement noted.
NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators
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