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News_Naija

Minister Refutes Enugu Airport Concession Claims

The Minister for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has denied a media report claiming that a lengthy concession period had been agreed upon for Enugu International Airport. While the minister acknowledged that the government was considering concessions and had received proposals from various interested companies, he stated that no conclusion had been reached. In a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo described the media report as utterly baseless and untrue. Recall that Enugu airport came under media scrutiny barely 48 hours ago after Air Peace airline suspended its flight operations to the airport due to infrastructural defects. This suspension of flight services prompted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to immediately shut the airport, stating that it would embark on emergency runway rehabilitation. Moshood noted that many of the airports in the country are operating at a loss and have to be subsidised monthly by the government, reinforcing the need for concessions. The statement partly reads, “Whilst it is true that the Federal Government is considering proposals for the concession of five major airports, this is a proactive measure to ensure these vital facilities can meet and maintain international standards, given the increasing financial demands of their operations. “Many of our airports are presently running at a loss, so they have to be subsidised each month by the Federal Government. It is noteworthy that this initiative to concession started under previous administrations. “At this stage, prospective concessionaires have indeed submitted various proposals, including different durations for the concessions. It is important to emphasise that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development has not established any fixed duration. “All submitted proposals are currently undergoing thorough evaluation and will eventually be reviewed by the ICRC before being presented to the Minister for onward conveyance to the FEC for approval. We can confirm that this review process has not been concluded. However, for the sake of transparency, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, directed some months ago that the Aviation Labour Unions be included as part of the negotiating teams. “Therefore, we must state unequivocally that the information suggesting a predetermined concession duration is false, unfounded, and intended to cause unwarranted disaffection and mistrust in this process by those with entrenched interests.” While assuring the public of a transparent concession process, aviation unions have accused the Ministry of conducting the concession process “in the dark.” Moshood further stated, “With his training and track record, the Minister will not allow anything untoward to happen under his watch. He has so far run the Ministry in a transparent manner and will not fall into the same mistakes of the past. We will ensure that all decisions are made in the best interests of the nation and the aviation sector.”

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Worldnews

Kashmir Attack Live: Pakistan Moves Against India Over Pahalgam Response

Pakistan says any attempt to divert Indus waters ‘act of war’, closes airspace and border after similar moves from India. India downgrades ties with Pakistan after deadly Kashmir attack Follow Al Jazeera English:...

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News_Naija

Onne Terminal Receives 6, 606-foot Capacity Vessel

The Onne Multipurpose Terminal in Rivers State has successfully hosted a 6,606-foot equivalent unit vessel named Kota Carum. The terminal operator announced this in a statement on Monday. It added that the vessel is the largest ever to berth at the Onne Federal Ocean Terminal. It said the milestone event further underscored OMT’s growing prominence as a hub for large-scale maritime trade in West Africa. According to the statement, flying the Singaporean flag, the vessel is owned by Pacific International Lines, one of Asia’s leading shipping companies. “The mega container vessel, measuring an impressive 301.43 meters in length overall, arrived at the OMT jetty utilising berths 9 and 10. Boasting a capacity of 6,606 TEUs, Kota Carum is a major addition to the line of large vessels now calling at Onne Port. “During its 55-hour port stay, the vessel will discharge 1,250 containers and load 1,619 containers, including export-bound cargo and empty containers,” the statement read in part. Speaking at a reception to welcome the vessel, Chief Operating Officer of OMT, Jim Stewart, described the call as a landmark event not only for the terminal but for Nigeria’s maritime industry at large. “We are honoured to receive the largest vessel to ever berth at Onne. Following the arrival of the Kota Cempaka last year, this achievement reflects our continued growth, our strategic investments in terminal infrastructure, and our unwavering commitment to operational excellence,” Stewart stated. Stewart emphasised that OMT’s ongoing modernisation efforts, including the acquisition of additional state-of-the-art cranes, have significantly enhanced cargo-handling capabilities and reduced vessel turnaround time. He noted the economic advantages of hosting such large vessels at Nigerian ports, explaining that direct calls by larger ships eliminate the need for transhipment via smaller feeder vessels, cutting down logistics costs and reducing freight tariffs for Nigerian importers and exporters. “This is not just a win for OMT; it’s a win for the Nigerian economy. The ability to berth larger vessels means more direct cargo movement, reduced logistics costs, and increased revenue for the country. Freight forwarders also benefit significantly, as they avoid the extra costs associated with transhipment,” he said. Stewart also expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Ports Authority for its vital support in creating an enabling environment for OMT to thrive. He called on the Federal Government to allocate more funding for channel dredging at the Onne Port to accommodate even larger vessels and further boost trade volumes. “We are fully prepared to receive vessels from any shipping line. But for us to unlock the full potential of Onne Port, additional dredging is essential. We urge the Federal Government to support NPA with the necessary resources to deepen and widen the channels,” Stewart appealed. Also speaking at the event, the Chief Pilot of Onne Port, Yakubu Ezra, reaffirmed NPA’s technical readiness to handle large vessels. “At the NPA, we are fully equipped both in training and technology to safely pilot large vessels into our ports. The successful berthing of Kota Carum is evidence of our capacity and professionalism,” Ezra said. The successful hosting of Kota Carum marks a significant leap forward for OMT and positions Onne Port as a viable gateway capable of accommodating global trade routes. As more shipping lines look toward West Africa, OMT’s infrastructure, efficiency, and strategic location continue to attract increasing volumes of international maritime traffic.

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Futbol

Doolan Puts Thistle Exit Down To Cuts & Lack Of Signings

Kris Doolan believes budget cuts and a failure by the club to strengthen in January were key factors that led to his sacking as Partick Thistle manager. Speaking for the first time since leaving the club, Doolan, 38, indicated uncertainty behind the scenes also took a toll on the players. The fans' favourite and assistant Peter MacDonald had their contracts terminated in February after a run of four matches without a win and the Jags sitting fourth in the Scottish Championship table. Under interim management team Brian Graham and Mark Wilson, Thistle are still fourth and on course for the promotion play-offs after a six-game unbeaten run. "We will move on but I am gutted, I wanted to get the club to the Premiership," Doolan told BBC Scotland. "Decisions are made behind the scenes for whatever reason, whether that is financial reasons or other bits of decision making that go on in club boards. "If you are in the play-off positions how many managers lose their jobs? But I also understand that if Partick Thistle slip out of the play-offs there are financial repercussions." Doolan took over from Ian McCall in 2023 and led the Firhill side to the Premiership play-off final, eventually losing out to Ross County on penalties. In the following season Thistle reached the play-off semi-final, where they lost to Raith Rovers on spot-kicks. The former Thistle striker was confident he would have guided the team to the play-offs again this season had he had remained in post. "If the club had finished fifth, I would have walked away," Doolan said. "I was told to make the play-offs. If we didn't make the play-offs I would have put my hands up and I would have been the one that walked away and saved the club money. "Had we strengthened in January, those [last few] results I think would have been different. "I know how to guide the team to the play-offs. Through good and bad, even with things going on in the background, decisions going on behind me - I still could keep my focus." Doolan voiced his belief at the turn of the year that Partick Thistle could still play a part in the title race. "We moved eight or nine players in December/January time and didn't bring anybody in," he explained. "It was just the club having to claw back money. "You free up money on the playing side to bring in the players to make you stronger for the next half of the season. But when you free up that money and there is no money to spend you are running with eight players less. "And we sell Harry Milne, who I think is probably one of the best left backs outside the top half of the Premiership. I think he will be brilliant at Hearts. "The three above [Ayr United, Livingston and Falkirk] strengthened massively in January. The teams below strengthened in January. "We didn't have the finances available to go and do it. To not strengthen in January I think was a big mistake for the club, and I explained that. "Regardless of what is happening behind the scenes it is always the manager that will pay the price." Partick Thistle are a fan owned club and there have been several changes at board room level over the past few years. Pre-tax losses of £131,811 and £355,834 have been reported in the past two financial years. "The biggest thing is if there is a settled set-up behind the scenes, you will get a settled team on the pitch," Doolan said. "They go hand in hand. "It is a fan-owned club and the fans will always have the biggest say, which is absolutely right. "Behind the scenes if they can settle things down and give that leadership the club needs, then the club is there to be promoted. "When there is a bit of turmoil here and there – that I have seen over the last two years – when there are changes to the board and power struggles it ultimately filters its way down."