The Nation Newspaper

Tag: haven

  • Navy uncovers new vandals’ haven

    •1,330 fuel-laden kegs recovered 

    •I am not aware of it, says Topline boss

    Nigerian Navy (NN) operatives at the weekend uncovered a new pipeline vandals’ haven around Atlas Cove Island in Lagos.

    Ilado, Ilashe, Corner Loss, Sarkin Juju and Idi Mangoro  were raided on Thursday and Friday, after the Navy monitored the area for about three weeks.

    It was gathered that a resident on the Island tipped off naval personnel about activities of vandals, who had vandalised the pipeline flowing from Atlas Cove to Mosimi.

    The Nation gathered that the vandals were in collusion with officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the private security firm contracted by the government to safeguard the pipelines in the theft.

    During an on-the-spot assessment of the areas on Saturday, it was observed that the vandals constructed bunkers  and lived among the locals.

    Also observed were lorry tracks, charms, hundreds of empty jerry cans tied together and packed inside sacs.

    Briefing reporters after a tour, the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Rear Admiral Maurice Eno said on December 14, a detachment of personnel raided the locations and discovered a storage facility having over 1500 jerry cans.

    He said: “One thousand, three hundred and thirty (1,330) contained products suspected to be Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) believed to have been siphoned from the NNPC pipelines laid on the island.

    “At the time of the raid, no person was found on the storage facility. The product was evacuated to NNS BEECROFT. The team also discovered the siphoning points where valves were connected by the vandals to steal the product.

    “It is pertinent to note that the NNPC pipelines laid on Atlas Cove Island are under the supervision and care of Top Line Security Limited/ Kings Guard Security Company. It is opined that these heinous acts may not have gone unnoticed by these private security outfits.

    “The Nigerian Navy under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas is committed to assisting NNPC deal with the issue of pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft.

    “Pipeline vandals and other criminal elements particularly in our maritime environment are warned to desist from the acts and pursue lawful means of livelihood. Otherwise, they will surely be brought to justice. The crude products would be handed over to NNPC.”

    Contacted, the Administrative Officer of Topline Security, John Udeme said he was unaware of the development.

    He said: “I am not aware that vandals were operating there. I am not aware the security men on ground were colluding with vandals. I have contacted our officer in Lagos but I haven’t gotten a clear picture yet. You are the one that has given me this information and we would investigate it.”

  • Oil mogul to Canadian envoy: Niger Delta is investors haven

    The President of   Belema Oil Producing Limited,  Mr.  Tein Jackrich,  has described Niger Delta  as investors’ haven.

    Jackrich also said the region is peaceful, conducive and very good for both foreign and local investments.

    He spoke when the Canadian  Deputy Ambassador to Nigeria,  Mr.  James Christolf, visited  him in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital,  at the weekend.

    He said: “There are all manner of news about this state,  they are not true.  All over the world, there are challenges. You have been in this state now,  you have seen how calm everywhere is. This is a great state I must tell you.

    “One of the things your visit to the state has done is also to demonstrate that investing in the state is safe. The state is friendly,  the youths are friendly,  Niger Delta youths are exceptionally good and friendly.

    “The issue in this whole thing is that,  until we understand that the manner we do business 40years ago needs to change in this jet age, when technology has evolved; the manner we look at the youths needs to change.”

    Jackrich went on: ” The vision behind Belemaoil Producing Limited is not just to much more for shareholders,  the business managers,  but to ensure that there are strategic visible footprint in the communities we operate.

    “We consider the communities as strategic partners in creating wealth for all stakeholders. That is the reason why immediately we took over the operation,  we took on the transformational agenda with great vigour.

    “We have provided jobs for more than 500 of the indigenes. Training and scholarship awards to as much as 400 has been given out this year2017/2018 alone and still counting.

    “Belemaoil also collaborated the Rivers State government in giving out scholarships to deserving indugenesbof the state to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the state this year.

    “To us,  the main thing is to educate these youths in such a manner that will equip them adquately to be able to take on the responsibilities that will enable them add the same values to others, and I chose Canada for a good place to train them.”

    Christolf praised Belemaoil.

    He said: “I am very new in the country,  having arrived barely one month ago. When the opportunity was presented to me to come here (Port Harcourt),  I quickly accepted it.

    “This is because firstly,  there are potential strategic alliances to be formed with Canadian companies and part of our job is to come here and make sure that we meet people, and understand companies,  like Belemaoil and all others you mentioned to provide services.“

  • Haven for premature babies

    Haven for premature babies

    In one month, 45 premature babies have been saved in a Bida, Niger State hospital, reports JUSTINA ASISHANA

    THANKS to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, Niger State, no fewer than 45 premature babies are no longer on the verge of death. In one month, doctors at the hospital saved that many premature newborns from dying.

    The labour room is usually a tense place. Expectant mothers hope for safe delivery and look forward to carrying their bundle of joy. Sometimes they end up with a tiny baby who must be kept in an incubator to grow to maturity. In some cases, those premature babies die before they make it to the icubator.

    At the FMC, Bida, there have been no such heartbreaks for 45 mothers. In the past one month, they were successfully delivered at the hospital and are doing well in their incubators, the Medical Director of the facility Dr. Mohammad Usman Aminu said.

    Aminu said four of the premature babies died due to complications resulting from their mothers not seeking medical care on time and those whose babies were brought in very critical conditions from other hospitals. He expressed confidence that the neonatal ward in the hospital is capable of preventing the death of premature babies.

    The Medical Director also disclosed that over 150 premature babies have been saved from January to June.

    He said the hospital has state of the art facilities to save the lives of premature babies, adding that the centre has incubators that can  accommodate up to 25 premature babies.

    Aminu said that there is adequate oxygen in the neonatal intensive care unit to address any emergency that may arise from the birth of babies who weigh less than 1kg.

    The Medical Director also disclosed that plans have been concluded for the installation of a computerised thermography (CT) scan machine to ease procedures for operations of patients and other related illnesses, adding that three consultants on radiology are already in place for the operation of the machine.

    He said that the CT scan machine along with its installation and training of workers as well configuration of the room would gulp N152.5 million.

    The Medical Director reiterated that all the facilities and systems in the center are in good working condition adding there are no high rate of neonatal and infant mortality debunking a social media report purportedly said to be written by one of its doctors that the system in Federal Medical centre have worsened in the last two weeks leading to high rate of death cases.

    He stated that though there may have been a drop in power supply in Bida, the medical centre runs its activities on alternate power supply using its generator contrary to the claims by the doctor that doctors bring along small generators to light up certain parts of the hospital.

    “The management of Federal Medical Centre Bida is up and doing and the facilities are working perfectly well. We produce our own water, we have an oxygen plant and the centre have never lacked oxygen. Despite the problem of power supply, we have gone extra miles to provide our clientele the best services.”

    The parents of those saved babies are unlikely to forget the feat at the medical centre.

  • ‘Edo remains an investment haven’

    ‘Edo remains an investment haven’

    Mr. Joe Okojie, Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture, who assumed office some weeks back, unveiled his plans for the ministry while playing host to the 11th Supervision Mission of the Rural Finance Institution Building (RUFIN) programme in Benin, Edo State capital, reports Ibrahim Apekhade Yusuf 

    Rural farmers in Edo State got over N1.2billion as loan disbursement from the Rural Finance Institution Building (RUFIN) programme. How does that make you feel?

    When you say N1.2billion, it will appear as if it was disbursed at once. But the amount from the record I have has been disbursed since 2010 at the inception of the programme on a revolving basis. So, it is not as if it was just disbursed at once. But be that as it may, I think I feel very encouraged that there are facilities out there that our people at the grassroots level, who ordinarily won’t have access to credit, can now have access to it so that they can use in their various small scale farms in order to increase their productivity. So for me, that’s a step in the right direction.

    What strategies do you have in place to ensure that the programme is sustained given the fact that the programme is wrapping up next year?

    First of all, I must commend the RUFIN team for doing their part. It’s a programme I that I think is worthy of note and going forward, we as a government, we have a responsibility to cater for our people. What we have to do as a government is to take ownership of the programme and continue to make sure that our people, especially those at the grassroots level continue to have access to resources to improve in their farm and in their productivity in general.

    RUFIN is a programme through which help and relief can be given to people at the grassroots. That is why when I took over office, I took interest in the project and I made itý my project. I’m doing my best so that, we as a government will fulfill our own end of the project. I promise you that we will do the needful and will do more to take ownership of the programme when RUFIN is gone. My hope is that, going forward, we will have better synergy so that we are able to deliver on our promises.

    Farmers in Edo State like their counterparts across the federation look up to government for one assistance or the other. As the Commissioner for Agric, what’s your agenda for farmers in your state?

    Well, for me, the farmers are my primary constituency in the state and I will do whatever I can consciously do to deliver on my deliverables. And my deliverable is to make sure that we help them to pursue their goals in whatever we can.

    The state government is yet to make its commitment as far as the counterpart funding of the RUFIN programme is concerned. Can you bring us up to speed on what is being done in that regard?

    We’re aware of the challenges and we’re willing to do whatever we can to address the challenges. Edo state is an agrarian state with over 65 per cent of the residents here involved in one form of agriculture or the other. So agriculture is very key and we’re willing to do whatever we can to encourage people in agriculture, especially at the grassroots. That’s why we take particular interest and liking for RUFIN programme given the fact that the programme is directed at people at the grassroots. When I first came back into the country and saw the way things were going, a situation where you have people at the grassroots not been catered for, I told myself that if we continue on this path, a time will come when we will no longer be able to protect the very few rich because we have not made provisions for the very many poor. So, my quest was to make sure that the gap and divide was addressed and I think coming on board, I found that through the RUFIN programme we can channel help to the poor and needy in the society. So, naturally I took interest in the project and I have made it my project ever since.

    One of the challenges that confront smallholder farmers is the challenge of preserving their produce. What scheme does the state has in place to assist in that regard?

    Concerning the issue of preservation, just last week we looked at an array of things that can help farmers to preserve their harvest and be able to optimise it. We’re looking at the silos we have to see how we can refurbish them so that some of these farmers can take advantage of the silos to preserve whatever it is they’re going to harvest.

    However, that’s just one of the measures. But we’re considering the suggestions and innovations that came up last week and we’re looking at them. My hope is that we’ll make the best use of the opportunity in the shortest possible time. So we’re still evaluating what will work in this environment.

    In the past, the state partnered with foreign investors to grow the agric base. Are you still open to such collaboration?

    We’re still talking to a lot of investors. As we speak l’m scheduled to have an appointment with some investors. We’re targeting new investors and we hope to give them incentives to encourage them to come and invest in the state. We’re determined to make Edo State an investment haven.

    Can you be specific on the revenue projections from these new investments?

    Don’t you think it would be dangerous to count your chickens before they are hatched? (Laughs).

    Another challenge farmers contend with is how to add value to their produce in terms of processing, etc. What is the state government doing to help in this area?

    I must admit there are infrastructural deficit. But considering the time I have, if I embark on building infrastructure now, it will be difficult to achieve that. However, our plan is that we want to be able to put the state on the path of growth by setting medium and long term goals. But in the interim, we’re looking at short term goals, which is to help farmers reach their productivity and help them with access to the market. If you go to the rural areas, you will see that what the Comrade Governor has done is to pave roads through farm communities so that farmers will be able to take their produce to the market.

    That’s the first thing. In that regard, you will agree with me that we have been able to build infrastructure across various communities to ease the transportation of produce to the market. In the short term, we have achieved one key deliverables. I’m sure our medium term would be to add value by setting up processing plants. But let me say here and now that it is not going to be done in my tenure unless you want me to lie to you and l’m not going to lie to you. If sit down here and tell l’m going to that in my tenure, l will be lying to you. It’s not just possible because even more l desire it, time will not permit me.

    What l will concentrate on are things we can achieve in the short run that can increase the productivity of the farmers such as the RUFIN programme that gives direct credit access to the farmers and that’s why we’re not leaving any stone unturned in our quest to ensure the programme succeeds. Why I have decided to take ownership of it and do whatever I can to make sure that we sustain it and the state takes over so that our farmers can continue to have access to improve on their productivity.

  • Lalong: Plateau’ll be a safe haven

    Lalong: Plateau’ll be a safe haven

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed hope that the military task force, Operation Safe Heaven,  will help improve the state’s security.

    He spoke during a service at the Church of Christ in  the Nations (COCIN) headquarters in Jos to mark his 100 days in the office. According to him, insecurity will be a thing of the past.

    He said: “Soonest, Plateau State will become a haven for people to live in.”

    On his first 100 days in office, he said: “We are not celebrating 100 days in office; we are only reminding the people of Plateau of the contract  we have with them and with that contract, people will like to know the steps we are taking to fulfil our obligations to them.

    “Many people do not last for 100 days, but God in His infinite mercies has kept all of us and given us the grace to be here today.”

    Plateau, he said, has paid workers despite not receiving the bailout fund yet.

    “We have paid salary arrears up to five months without receiving bailout funds. We have not received our own bailout funds and as soon as we receive the funds, we will not allow unpaid salaries any room in the state. Government is a continuum; we are addressing the unfinished projects we inherited from the past administration because the projects are projects for Plateau people. The contractor at the airport road will be mobilised this week to go back to site, likewise the bridge contractors.

    “ We are restructuring the civil service for the overall interest of the people. On security, we are doing a lot of things with the Presidency and Operation Safe Heaven, very soon insecurity will be a thin of the past, we must protect the lives of the people of Plateau State”

    He thanked the people for their prayers, saying: “With God on our side, in the next three months, we will be  here to give  you periodic report of what we are doing for the State, in the next 100 days, we will be here with our report,” Lalong said.

    Earlier in his sermon, the church’s President Rev. Dachollom Dachiri,  urged leaders to hold unto God so that they can serve the people better.

    He said: “Hold unto the Lord well. If you hold Him tight, the changes you will bring will be good and permanent, the Plateau project is the project of all of us.

    “There is no crises on the Plateau, what we have in hand is that Plateau is being massacred every day. God will give you the grace, the wisdom and the power to address all the problems of the State, we are behind you in prayers, the Plateau project is our project”

    Rev Dachiri, who took his readings from First Samuel chapters 13 and 15, praised Gov. Lalong for starting very well but cautioned: “In our Christian walk, we must start well and end well unlike Saul who started well and ended up badly.

    “Saul started out very well, on a very good footing which promised of a great reign and great legacy, but his subsequent disobedience to God’s instructions derailed what was called to do. A repentant Christian is a growing Christian because each time he sins, he repents and grows from strength to strength, that is King David was a man after God’s hearth,” Dachiri said.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Apapa Mall: a tourists’ haven

    Apapa Mall: a tourists’ haven

    In less than a year, the Apapa Mall, one of Nigeria’s newest shopping malls in Lagos, has become a centre of attraction for shoppers. The mall is competing with the South African retail giant and the mall’s anchor tenant, Shoprite, reports TONIA ‘DIYAN. 

    A few years ago, shopping for grocery could only be done in the local markets, but the introduction of western styled shopping malls has redefined not just grocery shopping, but every other facet of shopping.

    With the addition of another mall  on Park Lane, Apapa, Lagos, tagged: Apapa Mall,  adjudged as one of the world’s largest shopping malls, shopping has bcome a serious aspect of human endeavours.

    Walking into Apapa mall premises,  you will easily notice  names of various international brands inscribed on the building housing the mall. The front, side and the top of the one-storey building are marked as car parks.

    Apapa mall boasts of bringing one of the world’s largest shopping stores to Nigeria with the main entrance heavily decorated with colourful lightings and the name of the mall boldly inscribed in block letters.

    The front view and the expansive car park boldly announce its various tenants. Some tenants pitched their tents on the walk way of the mall, displaying their products to willing consumers while others have their representatives distribute flyers to people as they walked into the mall.

    One of such is a liquid washing soap retailer, called Rita, who said the mall is a good channel for displaying her product  for all classes of people to see.

    According to her, the items needed to be displayed in a reputable place that would be conducive to buyers.

    On display on the first floor of the one-storey building are Lifemate (a furniture merchant); Beerhugz (a bar); film house (a cinema); Montaigne (seller of designers wrist watches); Twice as Nice (a clothing store) and  Samsung (stock all kinds of electronics) among others.

    In all, the mall houses 40 tenants with Shoprite, Filmhouse, Lifemate as anchor tenants. Others include Cash N carry (stocks household items); PEP and MRP (sell clothing); Daviva (sells colourful fabrics); Health Plus and Med Plus (attend to people’s health) and Essenza (stocks perfumes). Others are; Airtel, Kobis, Homely, Evoke, Image, souls and others.

    Shoppers were seen driving in and out, with some making purchases inside the store. It showed that the new mall, which opened in May last year, is gradually warming itself to the hearts of shoppers.

    Some of the customers, who spoke with The Nation Shopping, said they have tried Apapa mall and are ready to remain there. “The mall has just been opened. Yes! It has all I expected to see and for convenience, I love this concept,” said a young woman, Stella Okoro, who was loading the goods she purchased into her car. “It is a welcome development in this neighbouhood,” she added.

    Another shopper, Mr Akin Akinyemi, was seen buying apples from Shoprite. He said: “This is my first time of coming here. It looks good to me, and the prices are fair. I wish we could get more. If this kind of development is stretched to other strategic places within Lagos, it would be nice.”

    Speaking on the status of the mall, its Project Manager and Chairman, Top Services Limited, builders of the Apapa Mall, Chief Tokumbo Omisore said: “Apapa Mall is a one-stop-shopping mall, offering shoppers from Apapa and its immediate environs a unique opportunity to carry out all their shopping activities, relax and entertain themselves.

    “This ultra modern retail centre offers its tenants an ideal platform to showcase their products to shoppers, create awareness for their brands, and take advantage of the tenant mix to compete with international brands now settling in Nigeria markets.”

    Concerning tenant mix in the mall  Omisore said: “The idea behind the tenant mix is not only to offer quality, taste, and variety, but to give room for affordability within the same mall.”

    To achieve this, he said, all known local brands, having a successful experience in existing shopping malls in Nigeria, are allowed to cohabit with bigger brands of international standards within a reasonable let-table area.

    To realise the vision of combining shopping and leisure, the mall came with a restaurant where shoppers can also have good time after shopping, thus making the art of shopping more attractive and eventful.

    It is, therefore, not an accident that Apapa mall has continued to receive wide spread commendation and applause from Lagosians and Nigerians across social and religious divide. They have commended Omisore for his steadfastness and the architectural designs, as well as for his entrepreneurial drive.

    Also, the mall has become a Mecca of some sort to the high and mighty.

    It is against this background that many Lagosians applaud the mall for setting a new standard in the art of shopping and giving people a sense of leisure and shopping.

    Some shoppers, who spoke to The Nation Shopping, applauded the quality of products on offer, even as they lauded its security and serenity.

    Wale Ikuomola, a lawyer, said he bought most of his family needs from the mall because he believed in the quality of the products and for the inviting ambience the mall has.

    “I make it a point of duty to always buy from Apapa Mall on way home from the office because I trust the quality of their products and the inviting ambience here.

    “I also come here every weekend to stock my home with various products. I have been doing so in the last six months and all I get is quality and good customer service. Everybody at the mall is friendly. In fact, my week is not complete without shopping here,” Ikuomola said..

    For Linda Aguocha, a banker, Apapa Mall is more than just a shopping mall. It is a leisure destination that combines ambience, serenity with security.

    “Apapa Mall is more than just a shopping mall. It is a leisure destination, where you can shop under a secured and serene atmosphere and enjoy some level of comfort.  It is a place I go to shop and relax with my friends every weekend. I love the place, it is home away from home,” she affirmed.

    Linda’s friend, Helen, described the mall as a preferred shoppers’ destination. “Apapa mall is a place I always want to be again and again. I just cannot stop shopping at the mall. I like the quality of their products and the ambience of the place is alluring. I always want to be here every day and I do not get tired. Each shopping is an experience. It is my choice place for both shopping and leisure,” she said.

    The completion of the mall came in two folds: when it was inaugurated in June/July last year and when the Shoprite, its major tenant, started business. After these every other businesses started running.

    Beyond the products is the fact that the mall is replete with security gadgets of various specifications and standards, which make both doing business and leisure at the mall attractive.

    According to the mall management, the reason customers besiege the place is that apart from selling goods that meet the requirements of the Standard Organisation Of  Nigeria (SON), they also have taken  into cognisance the essence of security and convenience.

    Its management said apart from adequate security, one of the facilities that  has been put in place to ensure customer satisfaction is the multi–million naira parking lot, which has made shopping fun, unlike what is obtained in some shopping malls in the country.

    Apapa Mall is believed to have changed the face of shopping in Nigeria when it emerged on the scene last year, creating the shoppers’ destination in the country and setting new standards in shopping.

    It immediately caught the attraction  majority of Nigerians, who thronged the place day and night to buy from the best on offer.

    An Apapa resident, Emeka, who  had lived in the area since he was a child confessed that Apapa Mall is the ideal place for shoppers, particularly those who reside in Apapa and its environs. To his wife, Ann, an accountant, the mall is more of a tourist centre. “This is a beautiful tourists’ attraction and I give kudos to the Project Manager and Chairman, Top Services Limited, builders of the Apapa mall, Chief Tokunbo Omisore who thought of this,” she said.

    Both Emeka and Ann are right. Right from the three entrances of the straddling edifice, legs and cars competed for space. Strategically placed within the neat premises were trolleys waiting to be used to convey items to consumers’ cars.

    Besides security agents, managers of the commodious car park were on hand for serious business, as cars were parked without paying to anyone, unlike what obtains in other malls.

    From the exterior of the imposing emporium, various sizes of sign posts welcome prospective customers into both the building and its compartments.

    A stroll past the two main entrances leading into the structure and a stand-by parking kiosk brings a visitor to Shoprite, which directly faces the main entrance, there is the cinema and restaurant in the one-story structure’s belly.

    The electronic stair-cases conveying visitors to the upper chamber of the edifice was a spectacle to behold. As many mounted them for genuine shopping, some others stood transfixed to behold the delight.

    Parading neatly dressed, sprightly-looking attendants, all the tenant-companies transacting business there appeared to have keyed into the seemingly inviolate culture of cleanliness in the market.

    Shoppers need not burden themselves with loads of cash from their homes as Standard Chartered Bank and other banks have made available functional ATM services at some locations.

    While many window-shopped, others were busy with genuine transactions with  attention from the company’s polite sales persons.

    Also, an entertainment centre 

    what does the mall have to offer shoppers and its tenants?

    Apapa Mall is one-stop shopping Mall, offering shoppers from Apapa and its immediate environs a unique opportunity to carry out all their shopping activities, relax and entertain themselves. This ultra modern retail center offers its tenants an ideal platform to showcase their products to shoppers, create awareness for their brands, and take advantage of the tenant mix to compete with international brands now settling in Nigeria Markets.

    How did you mix the tenants such that one compliments the other to benefit the shopper?

    The idea behind the tenant mix is to offer quality, taste, and variety, but to also give a room for affordability within the same Mall. To achieve this, we allowed known local brands having a successful experience in existing shopping Malls in Nigeria to cohabit with bigger brands of international standards within a reasonable lettable area.

    Why should an Apapa resident remain in the environment when he wants to shop?

    We believe the reason shoppers are going out is to provide for their basic or social needs or simply to entertain themselves. Apapa residents will have the opportunity to do just that with the new mall, where they can shop affordably for their groceries, pastries, drinks or household items, eat out with family and friends, make their hair at the Evoke salon, watch a movie or simply take a drink at the Bheerghugs VIP lounge.

     Does the mall have all the shoppers’ desires? 

    As far as food, health, entertainment, clothing and household items, internet and telecommunication are concerned the shoppers’ desires will be greatly met, with the variety of brands available on ground.

    Does the mall house international brands? Who are they?

    The Mall houses International brands i.e Shoprite, MRP (formerly known as Mr. Price), PEP, Cash N Carry, Samsung and Lifemate

    What does a shopper have to gain from these international brands?

    Quality for a good price, variety, creativity, fashion.

    What would be the shoppers experience when he visits Apapa mall?

    Good ambiance, fun, relaxation, good prices, good quality, multi choice, beautiful environment.

    What will the mall give back to the society in form of CSR?

    The Mall for now is giving free Car Park to the end users as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    The Mall will promote entertainment events, almost quarterly, for Apapa residents and the immediate environs

    What is the mall’s statistics?

    Footfall during the week is on the average of 2,000 visitors/shoppers daily. Weekends increases for now to almost 3000 and more atimes when the month ends on a weekend. With the Cinema commencing operations this week more are expected from the coming week.

    Shops in operation 82%

    Total number of Shops is 93%

    How many tenant stores are in the mall and who are they?

    40 tenants are in the Mall:

    Anchor tenants (Shoprite, Filmhouse, Lifemate) other tenants (Cash N carry, PEP, MRP, Daviva, Health Plus, Med Plus, Montaigne, Essenza, Samsung, Airtel, Kobis, Homely, Twice as Nice, Evoke, Image & souls, etc).

    How secured is the mall? What are the security measures put in place ?

    The Mall is well secured with Police presence; Professional and trained security guards with body scanners and vehicle scanners; CCTV .

  • Nigeria now haven for fake products

    SIR; Over the weekend, I used three different samples of wire cables to conduct an experiment after the loss of my electric pressing iron and a socket. My electric socket (Royal Quest England) of 220-240V was used to connect my pressing iron of equal voltage, 220-240V. Instantly, the cable blew and damaged the socket. I bought another socket of the same capacity but this time with electric iron of low capacity. This time, the cable rather than blow off simply melted like a candle which showed that the supposed 220-240V socket is not up to 120V.

    Apart from wiring cables, most electric bulbs in our market today are also fake. I live in an area where electricity supply is intermittent but I change my electric bulbs after every five weeks. While two of the six bulbs I bought seven months ago are still working, I have been changing the remaining four routinely. I bought them from the same place, at the same amount and the seller confirmed to me that they are the best bulbs I can get from the market now.

    Three days ago, a cousin of mine lost his home to inferno which emanated from an electric bulb socket. Such tragedies are not rampant in the country only because of irregular supply of electricity.

    Apart from wiring cables and bulbs, a good number of the stabilizers, Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS), air conditioner, switches, electric cooking stove, pressing iron and many other electrical materials being sold in the market today are fake.

    The same is no less true of auto spare parts in the Nigerian market and building materials. As for the tragic incident at the Synagogue Guest House where over 80 persons were reported killed, I would not put the tragic situation beyond the use of fake or substandard materials.

    It is estimated that Nigeria loses over N50 billion to fake and substandard products annually and out of this amount, N20 billion comes from auto spare parts sector alone. Research has shown that 60% of these fake products come from the Peoples Republic of China but the Chinese in turn blame the situation on Nigerian entrepreneurs who go to China and ask the manufacturers to produce for them at reduced quality in order to shore up their profit margins.

    Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) whose job is to rid Nigeria of free of fake and adulterated products appear to have surrendered to the cartel of fake products importers, unfortunately for an agency that has been around for 42 years. SON, with only two laboratories in Lagos and Enugu where products could be subjected to laboratory analysis, has proven that they lack capacity to effectively check the menace. In many instances, product samples are said to be taken to Ghana for laboratory analysis. Apart from this technical incapacitation, SON lacks laboratory analysts and chemists as its workforce is dominated by clerical cadre.

    One recalls with nostalgia the days of National Agency for Food and drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) under the leadership of late Prof Dora Akunyili. The activities of the agency were practical, result-oriented and purposeful. These were the times when you saw hawkers run helter-skelter at the sight of NAFDAC officials. Today, NAFDAC activities are only showed on a paid TV advert and newspapers.

    No matter any indices used, an economy where more than 80% of products in circulation are fake cannot make progress. The situation is biting hard on ordinary Nigerians whose small incomes are spent on products that do not last beyond second use.  One begin to wonder if Nigeria has become a permanent safe haven for counterfeit products as the activities of the manufacturers and dealers of fake products go unchecked.

     

    •Onogwu Isah Muhammed,

    Lokoja, Kogi State.

  • Oil bunkering haven raided in Calabar

    Over 500 jerry cans of petroleum products were set ablaze in Esuk Otu creek in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, at the weekend during a sting operation by security personnel led by Acting Governor Efiok Cobham.

    The jerry cans, laden with petroleum products and pumping machines, were stacked in a barge before it was intercepted and destroyed at the creek.

    Cobham said it’s unfortunate that despite efforts by government, illegal bunkering still persists.

    “It’s very unfortunate because this is a crime against the economy. It’s pure sabotage and this is not what we should engage in at this critical period of our political history.

    “It’s a major economic crime and we are making a statement that anybody who is involved in this act in any part of the state will have their illegal products destroyed.

    “It’s in line with the directive of the Federal Government and the state’s policy that we sustain the zero tolerance to criminal activities.”

  • Why Cross River is investors’ haven –Adah

    Special Adviser (SA) to Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State on Investment Promotion, Mr. Gerald Adah has attributed the recent upsurge in investments in the state by multinational companies to the deliberate policies of the governor.

    Speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Federal Government and General Electric, on Thursday in Abuja, the SA unveiled plans to establish a manufacturing and assembly facilities in Calabar. Adah said the enthronement of a peaceful environment, provision of first-class infrastructure and the setting up of a one-stop shop for business has made the state one of the most attractive to investors.

    According to him, “one major focus of the present administration in Cross River State is the development of a service economy with emphasis on growing the private sector. This propelled the establishment of an Investment Promotion Bureau with an embedded state level One-Stop Shop with the primary focus on increasing the level of FDI as well as facilitating business entry for incoming investors.

    “The present administration has also invested heavily on improving the security and environment of the state. This has earned the Cross River State the pedigree of the most friendly and welcoming state of the federation with the lowest crime rate. Cross River State indegiens are also very hospitable and friendly.”

    He revealed that “in the very recent past, Cross River State has witnessed significant investment inflow in the region of over $1.5 billion dollars with the coming in of major investors such as Wilmar International, engaged in Palm Plantations and Processing, Brentex Petroleum Ltd, Pipes Mills, Project Masters Nig Ltd., in the oil and gas sector, OCICL in Cement production to mention but a few.

    “Late last year, the state was involved in major engagements with very key investors such as General Electric (GE) who has just announced itsintention to establish a manufacturing plant and training facilty in Calabar, Lion Steel West Africa Ltd and Oriental Energy are both working towards the establishment of Pipe Mills Plants in Cross River State.”

    He revealed that for this year alone, the state is expecting investment inflows in the region of about $800 million.