NEWS
Domestic Airlines Increase Fares by 100%, March 1
By Joseph Amah, Abuja
After a meeting in Lagos, domestic airline operators have resolved to increase airfares by 100% with effect from next week, March 1. The increment will be across the board.
The resolution adopted by all the domestic operators sees the least economy ticket now selling for 50,000 naira, instead of the previous 22,000 naira for an hour flight.
There are indications that some of the airlines have already fixed some of the fares that will come into effect on March 1.
It could be recalled that the airlines, under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON, had issued a statement complaining about the current high cost of aviation fuel.
They revealed that ” aviation fuel cost above N410 in Lagos, N422 in Abuja and Port Harcourt, and N429 in Kano per litre, while the dollar, which sells for between N580 to N600 is in short supply.”
The airlines also expressed anger at the ” Unavailability of Forex for spare parts and maintenance.
Airlines carry out most of their activities in dollars which today sells for between N580 to N600 and is in short supply. Nigeria’s domestic airlines are in a ‘life and death struggle to secure the Forex they need to acquire their spare parts to maintain their aircraft.”
“This is a major influence on how quickly a grounded aircraft can be fixed and restored to its flight schedule, which in turn has a huge impact on the schedule reliability of the domestic airlines,” AON said.
As of the time of filing this report, the civil aviation regulatory authority, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, has not issued any statement on the new fares. A source within the authority however said airfares have since been ” deregulated by NCAA, leaving market forces to determine the price.”
” NCAA only intervenes when an airline fixes ridiculously low airfares. That can compromise safety standards as operations of any airline is capital intensive,” he said.
NEWS
LG polls: Nasarawa APC Announces Chairmanship Candidates
Nasarawa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has announced its chairmanship candidates for the Nov. 2, local government councils election in the state.
Mr Tanimu Adamson, Chairman of the party’s primary elections committee, announced the names of successful candidates, submitting the report of the exercise to the party’s state executive on Friday in Lafia.
Adamson explained that the party’s flag bearers emerged through consensus as agreed by the party, in line with article 20 of its constitution.
He listed the names of the successful chairmanship candidates for the 13 LGAs to include Safiyanu Isa for Akwanga, Umar Dan-Akano, Awe, Jonathan Addra, Doma, Abubakar Madaki, Karu, and Adamu Aboki, Keana.
Others are Idris Damagani, Keffi, Bitrus Agbawu, Kokona, Mohammed Ahmed, Nasarawa, Iliya Aliyu, Nassarawa-Eggon, Isa Sani, Obi, Murtala Danmadami, Toto and Ezekiel Jaga, Wamba respectively.
He said that the emergence of the consensus candidates followed a painstaking consultation and resolution by stakeholders of the party and the candidates.
Adamson said that the party’s councillorship candidates for 147 electoral wards had also emerged through consensus.
Receiving the report, Aliyu Bello, APC State Chairman, appreciated the committee members for their sacrifice and for delivering on their mandate within the stipulated time.
He expressed satisfaction with the caliber of persons that emerged as candidates of the party.
He, therefore, expressed optimism that the party would win the election in all the area councils, given the quality of its candidates.
Report says that APC at a stakeholders meeting on Oct. 7, fixed October 14 and 16 for councillorship and chairmanship primaries.
The party at the meeting also adopted a consensus method to produce their candidates for the LGAs and electoral wards, respectively. (NAN).
NEWS
Kebbi Sets up Committee to Retrieve Stolen Orphans’ Funds
Kebbi Government has constituted a committee to recover money fraudulently removed from the individual accounts of orphans out of the N2.1 billion funds disbursed by the World Muslim League.
Report says that on Oct. 10, the League disbursed N2.1 billion to 1,849 orphans in the state through bank transfer to cater for their upbringing.
Report gathers that some guardians entrusted with managing the money have engaged in fraudulent activity by shortchanging those under their care.
Briefing newsmen on the development in Birnin Kebbi on Friday, the Commissioner for Religious Affairs, Alhaji Muhammad Sani-Aliyu, said Gov. Nasir Idris, had directed the immediate recovery of the money in full and return it to the rightful owners.
“The governor has high compassion for orphans, he is up to the task, he therefore, charged the committee to do the needful, to ensure thorough investigation.
“We contacted the banks that disbursed the funds but they informed us that the fraudulent acts were perpetrated using Point of Sale (POS) terminals not the conventional banking channels.
“But we are sounding a word of caution, any bank discovered to be involved in the removal of the orphans’ money, government will formally write a letter of complaint to the headquarters of such bank for appropriate action,” he warned.
Sani-Aliyu vowed that the present administration would not fold its arms to allow some unscrupulous guardians of orphans to cheat the orphans.
“Kebbi Government is immensely appreciative to the World Muslim League for its magnanimity and for disbursing such colossal amount of money to orphans in the state.
“The Nigeria’s Regional Office of the League in Kaduna has been notified about what is happening in Kebbi, and the office has pledged full cooperation to the funds’ recovery efforts.
“The Recovery Committee is headed by my humble self, two other Commissioners, two Special Advisers and two Permanent Secretaries,” the commissioner said. (NAN)
NEWS
ACCI Inaugurates Golf Networking Initiative
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has inaugurated novel networking initiative aimed at fostering business connections through golf.
Dr Emeka Obegolu, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the Chamber, said this at a B2B meeting and cocktail event organised by the ACCI in Abuja.
Obegolu stressed the importance of achieving a balance between work and personal life, particularly in light of Nigeria’s rising health concerns and sudden deaths.
He advocated for golf as a means to enhance social interactions among entrepreneurs, providing a relaxed environment to discuss business opportunities.
“We are here today to bring businessmen together with the Gulf community, appreciating the eminent businessmen within this community who may not yet be members of the Chamber of Commerce.
“Our message centres on balancing work-life, primarily due to the rate of sudden deaths we are facing in the country today.
“We aim to introduce golf to the business community, providing a platform for networking, exchanging opportunities, and contacts.”
According to Obegolu, the IBB Golf Course, a premier destination, offers an ideal backdrop for networking and forging valuable connections.
He reiterated the chamber’s commitment to promoting ease of doing business in Nigeria, urging support from the Abuja business community.
Obegolu also called on the FCT administration to improve infrastructure at the Idu Industrial District to make Abuja a truly industrial city.
He said more than 110 participants have registered for the golf tournament scheduled for October 19, with more expressing interest.
“”The tournament will culminate in an evening ceremony with awards and prizes.”
Dr James Agbonhese, Vice Captain of IBB International Golf and Country Club, commended the ACCI initiative, highlighting golf’s values of honour and integrity.
“Golf requires sincerity, which is equally essential in business to achieve success without litigation, disagreement, or problems,” Agbonhese said.
He welcomed the partnership between golf and business, looking forward to future events.(NAN)