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NEPZA boss congratulates Aliko Dangote as Refinery is set for commissioning
PROF. Adesoji Adesugba, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority, NEPZA, has ascribed the huge investment in the Dangote Refinery, one of Nigeria’s flagship free trade zones, to the unrivaled patriotic posture of the African richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.
Adesugba, also the Chief Executive Officer of NEPZA, made this remark while congratulating Dangote on Saturday in Abuja on the completion of the refinery set to be commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, May 22, 2023.
The NEPZA boss said that the multi-billion-dollar investment was a further testament on the extent the Nigerian billionaire investor could go to contribute his quota to solving the country’s energy challenge.
Adesugba explained that the Dangote Free Zone with diligent supervision of NEPZA successfully bequeathed the country with an enviable global energy infrastructure.
The NEPZA chief executive officer therefore, urged local investors to emulate Dangote by exploring the free trade scheme as a result of its cost-effectiveness and in helping to contribute to the country’s industrialisation process.
“On behalf of myself, management and staff of the Authority, I congratulate Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the entire management and staff of the Dangote Free Trade Zone for the completion and commissioning of the Dangote Refinery.
“Let me also congratulate His Excellency, President Muhammaadu Buhari GCFR for his commitment in delivering a competitive free trade zone scheme for Nigeria.’’ Adesugba said.
He advised state governments, who were yet to key into the scheme to do so without further delay, noting that the freezone scheme was the only viable tool the sub-nationals could use in attracting investments and development within their limited tenures.
Adesugba also called for the understanding of relevant sister agencies involved in the protection and promotion of the scheme, saying that the current incoherent manner of interferences from different quarters were affecting the smooth running of the concept.
The NEPZA boss, however, expressed delight on the current cooperation from the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS, and the Department of State Service, DSS, adding that these kinds of friendly handshakes with these agencies were the types that could open the scheme for global competition.
In a related development, Adesugba has described as ‘unequal’ the support the Authority had received from the Buhari-led administration in carrying out its core mandate of promoting the establishment of free trade zones across the country.
Adesugba said that aside the Federal Government’s approvals of some public Special Economic Zones in Lagos, Kwara, Benue, Ebonyi, Katsina, Gombe states and the earmarking of four International Airports as free trade zones, a total of seven other new private-driven free trade zones were recently approved.
These include: Bonny Kingdom FTZ, Rivers; Hydropolis FTZ, Niger; Premier Industrial FTZ, Rivers; Koko Walness Value Change Resort, Lagos; GC Exports FTZ, Kogi; Ekiti Knowledge SEZs, Ado-Ekiti; as well as Flour Mill FTZ, Lagos.
“It is indeed possible to transform the fortunes of our nation using this scheme, and this administration has unmistakably built the path which we shall use to revive our economy again,’’ The NEPZA CEO said.
As President Bola Tinubu’s tenure as the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS elapses on July 9, 2024, presidents and representatives of 12 member states are currently meeting at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, for the 63rd Ordinary Summit.
The meeting, which began at 1pm, would likely see the West African leaders announce a new chair to steer the affairs of the bloc for the next one year.]
However, there are indications that leaders may extend Tinubu’s tenure to give him time to possibly win back Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso into the bloc.
Details later…
Gov. Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has directed local government Chairmen and Local Government Education Authority officials who tampered with the N30,000 sallah gifts to return the money.
This is contained in a statement issued by Malam Abubakar Bawa, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Aliyu on Sunday.
‘The money was given to the workers in the state and some unsculous staff diverted the funds and they have been directed to return it immediately or face serious consequences.
“I wonder how somebody would deny our workers the stipends we gave them in order to make them financially stable during the Sallah festive season.
“Those who diverted those funds must return them immediately or else we will take serious punitive measures against them.
” We will ensure that the culprits reap what they sowed to serve as a deterrent to others, ” he warned.
Meanwhile, the state government has declared Monday as a public holiday in recognition of the Islamic New Year of Hijrah calendar.
Bawa announced that Monday would be observed as a public holiday throughout the state to enable people of the state to celebrate the new Islamic year 1446AH.
He further stressed the need for the Muslim Ummah to use the new Islamic calendar for a sober reflection and to carry out a self assessment to see where they have gone wrong with a view to making corrections in this new year.
The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that it is addressing incidents of rail derailment in the country, through proactive measures.
The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali gave the assurance in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
`The recent incidents involving our trains are currently being addressed through proactive measures.
“ a significant number of such incidents were the direct result of incidents of vandalism and criminality along the rail tracks by deviants who do not wish our country well.
“ I wish to also direct that all stakeholders in safe and secure operations in the railway industry should immediately put their best foot forward for continuous service to our people and our dear motherland, “ Alkali said.
Speaking on the July 4 rail derailment between Itakpe in Kogi and Warri in Delta, the Minister said he has directed investigations into the incident, as well as safety and welfare of all passengers on board.
“My attention has been drawn to the reports of derailment of some coaches of a scheduled train service operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) between Itakpe, Kogi State and Warri in Delta State, which happened on July 4.
“Upon receipt news of this unfortunate incident and enquiries made, my observation is that the unfortunate incident did not result in any fatalities.
“The incident occurred at Ujewhu near Abraka in Delta State at about 7.15pm on Thursday night.
“ I have directed the NRC, as the operator, to immediately ensure the safety and welfare of all passengers on board the train, “ he said.
Alkali assured that NRC would evacuate the distressed coaches from the tracks in order to guarantee resumption of services as soon as possible and produce a comprehensive report of the incident for his consideration.
According to him, NRC had commenced steps in the above direction and all indications point to the fact that normalcy was gradually being restored on the service.
The minister sympathised with all persons who were on board the train at the time of the incident and further assured the general public, particularly those patronising the train services of their safety and welfare
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