From Adeko Ukpa

Qietur Limited, a financial-technology and data-driven company, located in Abuja on Tuesday, officially signed a significant offtake agreement with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to undertake the development of over 3000 residential housing estates for NASENI staff across Nigeria.

The landmark partnership, hinged under a mortgage-backed owner-occupier scheme in collaboration with Family Homes Fund Limited is aimed at addressing the housing deficit while improving access to affordable housing across locations in Abuja, Kano, Minna, Enugu and Nnewi.

The Chief Executive Officer, Qietur Limited, Dr. Abiola Oyedotun, during the official signing of agreement with NASENI in Abuja said this  partnership reflects a critical milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to improve the living standards of its workforce while simultaneously contributing to economic growth through infrastructure development.

One of the new housing estates will be located on unencumbered land in Jibi, Behind Mopol Barracks, Dei-Dei, along Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, and will cater for staff interested in affordable homeownership.

Dr. Oyedotun, who expressed optimism about this partnership stated further that, “This agreement represents a bold step toward bridging the housing gap in Nigeria. With the support of NASENI and Family Homes Fund, we are going beyond developing homes, we want to create sustainable communities that will contribute to the socio-economic well-being of our people. This initiative will provide NASENI staff with the opportunity to own homes and improve their quality of life, while also boosting the construction sector and communities in the area.”

“The comprehensive housing plan will feature state-of-the-art designs and modern infrastructure, focusing on energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and community-based services such as marketplaces, resorts and green areas”. Dr. Oyedotun assured.

In her response, NASENI’s Coordinating Director, Planning and Business Development, Dr. Mrs. Nonyem Onyechi stressed that this partnership with Qietur Limited attests NASENI’s commitment to the welfare of its staff and our belief in innovative, forward-thinking solutions to Nigeria’s housing challenges.

Mrs. Onyechi said, “these housing estates will offer our staff the stability they deserve, allowing them to contribute more effectively to the agency’s mission of driving technological development in Nigeria.

“The Offtake Agreement aligns with NASENI’s strategic vision of fostering industrial and technological growth by ensuring that its staff are well-supported and have access to essential living resources. The mortgage-backed scheme will ensure affordability and ease of access for staff across different income levels.

“This project is expected to boost local economies, create job opportunities in construction and related sectors, and provide a model for public-private partnerships in Nigeria’s housing sector”. Mrs. Onyechi said.

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

The Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside, on Sunday, organised a one day Business Expo in Abuja to showcase the businesses and products of its members.

The event took place at the Grand Cubana Hotel Hall and was declared opened by the District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Rotarian Mike Nwanoshiri, represented by Assistant District Governor, Rotarian Emeka Iroegbunam.

On display at the exhibition were clothing materials, confectioneries, power  inverters, security gadgets, food and beverages, insurance, jewelries and fashion.

In his remarks before declaring the business expo opened, the Assistant Governor of Rotary District 9127, Rotarian Iroegbunam, commended the Club, popularly known as the Lakers, for their innovativeness and zeal to ensure progress for the business of their members while giving back to the society.

He said: “I can see that we have an array of things from beauty, fast moving goods, aesthetics, electronics, travel, logistics to home food, environmentally safe electricity and so on.

“I mean, such an array of merchandise and services here today and I think we are so proud of what we are doing.

“Let me express my personal pride to be associated with the Lakers. This is really so wonderful.

“All I want is for us to be able to do what is important. The exhibitors have come here today waiting for us to patronise them, and we need to do that.”

In his welcome remarks, the President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Jabi Lakeside, Rotarian Amobi Ogum, said the event was organised to showcase the businesses and services being rendered by its members as part of the club’s membership retention and new club development month.

Ogum said: “Part of what we want to achieve is to ensure that Rotary is not just about giving to the community, but we also want to showcase what our members do so people can patronise them. You can’t give what you don’t have.”

He said the success of the business expo, which is the club’s maiden edition, would  determine how often such events would be held going forward.

He said: “Our hope is that by the time we are done with this, we will see whether it’s something we can be doing once every month or once every quarter. But we must find a way of making sure that people sell their businesses and that’s why we are here.”

He said the exhibitors were 80 per cent Rotarians and a few businesses “who want to identify with our causes who decided to come and also exhibit.”

He said Club has put in place mechanisms to ensure that the products on display which were worth over N100million were offered to members of the public at discounted rates as a way of giving back to the society.

He said: “We are looking to ensure that people get discounts for what they buy. If you get in, there are some properties that are going for sale and they’ve offered as much as 30 per cent discount. It’s our own way of giving back to the society, the buying public and the selling public.”

He called on Nigerians to always make sure that those around them are happy by doing whatever little they can to ameliorate their hardships.

“Always give back to the community. Whenever you think things are getting hard for you, there are lots of people you are better off than.

“So by sharing a meal, sharing a drink, sharing whatever you can, always make sure the community around you are happy,” Ogum said.

… Handover new staff clinic, five other completed projects to successor

By Adeko Ukpa

African Telescope reports that the immediate past Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko, on Monday, said the agency generated ₦541billion in the first half of 2024.

He said the agency also remitted ₦255billion to the Consolidated Revenue Funds (CRF) of the federation between January and June this year.

He said the performance of the agency in the first half of 2024 surpassed its year-on-year total revenue generation and remittances in any year.

He said the  cumulative  revenue of the NPA between 2022 and the first half of 2024 was N1.423trillion.

He said his administration put in place sustainable reforms, especially a drastic improvement in the Turn-Around-Times of vessels and trucks in Apapa and TinCan ports.

He, however, said he is handing over a new staff clinic and five other completed projects to his successor for commissioning.

He confirmed that NPA increased staff salary during his tenure.

He pleaded with the staff to cooperate with and redouble their commitment to his successor.

Koko made the assertions in his valedictory remarks at the handover to the new Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho at the agency’s headquarters in Lagos.

He said he felt fulfilled for improving NPA better than he met it.

He said: “We recorded an unprecedented growth in revenue generation and remittances to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) from Revenue of ₦381 billion in 2022 and ₦501 billion in 2023 to ₦541 billion in the first half of 2024 and remittances to CRF increasing from ₦93.4 billion in 2022 to ₦206 billion in 2023 and to ₦255 billion in the first half of 2024 – surpassing our year-on-year total revenue generation and remittances in any year.

“Unprecedented tax remittances to the Federal Government ranging up to N60 billion in the period of my stewardship.

“We raised the bar higher. Our hope and prayers are for the new management to continue on this trajectory and surpass it. But we were also deliberate on dialogue and driving reforms.”

He listed some of his achievements in office, which included all-round port efficiency.

He said: “We hit the ground running with the necessary approvals to get the Lekki Deep Seaport fully operational to retake the lost transit and transshipment cargo.

“Promoted the non-oil export drive of the President by setting up ten (10) Export Processing Terminals (EPTs), mainstreaming it to the NXP and e-call up system to facilitate exports, and the result is evident in the attainment of a foreign trade surplus, as highlighted in the NBS report for Q1 2024.

“Upgraded Data Center, Servers, Storage, and Business Continuity.

“Established a data recovery and protection unit with an up-to-date data protection audit certification.

“Digitized staff attendance for accountability and improved productivity.

“Ensured the sustainability and free flow of cargo by clearing the decade-long traffic gridlock menacing the Apapa and Tincan Island port complexes, and its environs.

“Provided aids to navigation such as buoys, fenders, and bollards across all the ports, and also enhanced seaside operations by providing marine crafts, pilot cutters, tugboats, mooring boats, etc to improve port efficiency.

“These led to a reduction in both vessel and truck turn-around times. The vessel TAT went down from an average of 6.5 days to an average of 5 days, while truck TAT went from an average of 10 days to a few hours.”

The outgoing Managing Director also said he was happy to have attained 100% Ease-of-Doing-Business rating by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

He said: “We restored service boat management  contract with its attendant boost in revenue.

“Concluded the consultancy for the deployment of a Vessel Tracking System in conjunction with NLNG Shipping.

“Secured FEC approval for the expansion of the Snake Island Port and a willing private investment to the tune of $300m on this project.

“Secured FEC approvals for the development of new ports such as ports of Ondo, Badagry, Burutu, and Snake Island expansion project, amongst other proposals that have reached advanced stages of review and approval.

“Consultancy for the development of the 25-Year National Ports Masterplan to guide investment and port expansion plans.

“Attained a 100% ease-of-doing-business rating by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), despite having the most number of reforms.

“In addition to the aforementioned, we were also able to conclude with the FMMBE/BPP on the deployment of the Port Community System (awaiting a few processes before seeking FEC approval), and its corollary, the National Single Window, as well as propel the subject matter of port modernization to conclusive stages with the signing of the mandate letters for the reconstruction of TinCan Island and the comprehensive rehabilitation of Apapa, Rivers, Onne, Warri, and Calabar Port complexes, respectively.”

He said his administration was handing over six completed projects to his successor for commissioning.

He said: “We have also completed some key projects that are ready for commissioning. These projects are crucial to staff development and improved efficiency.

“Some of them include; the Staff Clinic at Lagos Port Complex; inter-agency building at TinCan Island Port to accommodate agencies in the port in one place to enhance operational efficiency; security mobile scanners at the Lagos Port Complex; administrative buildings of the Tincan, Warri, and Rivers Ports; Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria’s Headquarters; upgraded Revenue Invoicing Management System (RIMS 2.0); and employees e-medical records management.

Koko said he felt fulfilled for improving NPA better than he met it.

He added: “Let me begin by appreciating all of you for the life-applicable experience of the last eight years of my sojourn in the Nigerian Ports Authority.

“Looking back, I would like to summarize this tremendous phase of my life as a learning curve and an abiding history or experience.

“As I bow out today, I feel fulfilled for two reasons. Firstly, by working with all of you here, we have repositioned the Authority for greater operational efficiency and unprecedented revenue generation and remittance to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Secondly, my sense of fulfillment derives from the fact that we have achieved a lot and have made the Authority far better than we met it, and now handing over to a management team of distinguished professionals with the requisite character, competence, and capacity to sustain and indeed surpass the current performance trajectory.

“As most of us are aware, the Authority under the management team I was privileged to lead was able to position the Authority for improved efficiency, revenue generation, accountability, and adherence to international best practices in port management and operations.”

He thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari  for the “incredible opportunity to serve as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority.”

In his inaugural address, the new Managing Director of NPA, Dantsoho unveiled plans for port rehabilitation and modernization.

He also said priority will be given to total automation of NPA processes.

He assured staff of adequate welfare.

He said: “We will continue the digital transformation of the Authority and reinforce the current efforts at deploying the Port Community System (PCS) which we believe is key to our dream of total automation of our processes, thereby eliminating leakages and corruption.

“The current efforts towards infrastructural renewal and development will be enhanced.

“In particular, we will drive: Port Rehabilitation and Modernization

“We will pay attention to the logistics that surround the arrival of cargoes along the port corridor, their receipt at the terminals and loading onboard ships in the most efficient way and also cargo evacuation from our ports.

He listed other targets as follows: “Deep sea Ports Development, in order to unlock the full potential of the Nigerian economy.

“Promotion of transparency, accountability and Ease of doing business in our ports.

“We shall enhance collaboration and communication between sister agencies and promote stakeholder engagement.”