Movement of Containers by rail to northern Region will begin soon – NRC
Movement of Containers by rail to northern Region will begin soon – NRC
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has assured the Inland Containers Nigeria Ltd. (ICNL), Kaduna, of seamless movement of containers by rail from Apapa Port, to Kaduna and Kano.
The NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
He said this while receiving the management team of the ICNL, led by its Managing Director, Mr Omotayo Dada.
Opeifa said the corporation was willing to partner with major movers of large containers across the country.
He noted that the NRC had partnered with APMT for the movement of containers from Apapa to the Inland Dry Port in Ibadan, Oyo State.
“The corporation will continue to design products for companies willing to use the rail to move its cargoes.
“With the ICNL partnership, the corporation hopes to move additional 50 to 100 containers per day from Lagos to Kano via, Apapa, Ijoko, Ilorin, Minna, and Kaduna.
The Director of Operations and Commercial of the corporation, Mr Akin Osinowo, described ICNL as a long standing customer of the NRC.
“The ICNL is a long standing customer of the corporation, and some of the factors that led to the stoppage of cargo movement especially on the narrow gauge is being addressed.
“Issues such as insecurity, especially between Minna and Kaduna, and the washouts of several portions of the rail tracks among others, are being aggressively addressed either by the corporation’s team of engineers or by the Federal Government,” he said.
Osinowo said the corporation was in talks with some manufacturers such as Dangote Group and BUA.
He said the NRC would continue to service Lafarge Africa by taking its cement consignments from Ewekoro to Osogbo and Ilorin to boost the railway’s haulage capacity.
The NRC management and ICNL expressed commitment to continue their engagement and draw a roadmap for quick commencement of container freight to Kaduna and Kano on the western line. (NAN)
They accused her of engaging in actions that they believe undermine the collective interest of her constituents, rather than focusing on the pressing needs of Kogi Central.
The group made it clear that if Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan continues to “misuse” the privilege of her representation, they will take steps to begin the recall process, holding her accountable for what they described as a failure to serve the public good.
The statement reads: “We, the Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders, have observed with utmost dismay the ongoing dispute between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and our senator, Natasha Akpoti. We wish to firmly dissociate ourselves from these unfolding events, which have become a national concern.
“As a revered institution of government, it is essential to acknowledge that the National Assembly has established rules that must be adhered to in order to maintain order. Regrettably, we note that what should have been a simple compliance issue has devolved into a vitriolic exchange.
“It is alarming to witness the numerous allegations and counter-allegations circulating in both social and conventional media since the sexual harassment allegation against the Senate President, subjecting the peaceful people of Kogi Central to unwarranted public scrutiny.
“We urge Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to recognise her position as an equal among her peers in the red chamber, to act as a distinguished member, and to concentrate on the mandate entrusted to her by her constituents. She must refrain from distracting others with events that yield no common good.
“This behaviour is not in line with our character; thus, we, the Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders, may be compelled to initiate the recall process if the current public abuse of her privilege of representation continues.
“We call upon the Senate to undertake the necessary disciplinary measures to serve as a deterrent to other serving senators.”
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Nigerian Govt files charges against MultiChoice Nigeria over price hike
Nigerian Govt files charges against MultiChoice Nigeria over price hike
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has taken legal action against MultiChoice Nigeria Limited and its CEO, John Ugbe, accusing them of defying a regulatory order to suspend a proposed price increase.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, confirmed the charges.
The Commission had previously ordered MultiChoice to halt the planned price hike for DStv and GOtv services on February 27, pending an investigation into the increase. Despite this directive, MultiChoice proceeded with the price changes on March 1.
The charges, filed in the Federal High Court in Lagos, include three key allegations: obstructing the Commission’s investigation, failing to comply with regulatory instructions, and attempting to mislead the FCCPC.
Part of the statement reads, “Following the blatant disregard for regulatory oversight, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts of offences under the FCCPA 2018.
“Specifically for willfully obstructing the Commission’s inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives (Section 33(4)), impeding the ongoing investigation by ignoring instructions to suspend the hike (Section 110), and attempting to mislead the Commission by proceeding with the increase without objection (Section 159(2), punishable under Section 159(4)(a) and (b)).”
The Commission described MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protection guaranteed under the law.
“By disregarding the FCCPC’s directive and implementing the price hike before appearing before the Commission’s investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, MultiChoice has not only flouted regulatory processes but also demonstrated a pattern of conduct that undermines consumer rights and fair competition,” the statement added.
In addition to the legal action, the FCCPC said it is considering further enforcement measures, including sanctions and regulatory interventions, to ensure compliance and accountability.
MultiChoice had earlier informed customers of the impending price review, set to take effect on March 1, 2025, attributing the adjustment to rising costs of delivering premium content.
According to the notice titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” the company said, “Dear Customer, please note that effective March 1, 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue offering our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology.”
While the Compact Plus and Premium bouquets will remain at N30,000 and N44,500, respectively, the DStv Compact package is among the subscriptions expected to be affected by the price increase.
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Court orders forfeiture of N1.37 billion allegedly misappropriated during El-Rufai’s tenure as Governor
Court orders forfeiture of N1.37 billion allegedly misappropriated during El-Rufai’s tenure as Governor
A Federal High Court in Kaduna has ordered the temporary forfeiture of N1.37 billion that was purportedly embezzled from the Kaduna State government’s funds between May 2015 and May 2023, while former Governor Nasir El-Rufai was in office.
The money was allegedly taken from the budget for a failed light rail project under the previous administration and transferred into a private account owned by Indo Kaduna Marts JV Nigeria Limited..
Justice H. Buhari, who presided over the case, granted the forfeiture order on February 28, 2025, following an ex parte application filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC had traced the diverted funds to a private bank account, prompting the legal action.
The court also directed the ICPC to publish a notice in two national newspapers, calling for any individuals or entities with an interest in the funds to come forward and show cause why the amount should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.
In its application, filed by ICPC lawyer E.O. Akponimisingha, the anti-graft agency highlighted that the light rail project, which was meant to improve transportation in the state, was never executed during the El-Rufai administration, depriving the people of Kaduna State of its intended benefits.
The funds were reportedly diverted through Indo Kaduna MRTS JV Nig Limited, a joint venture formed in 2016 between the state government and Indian investors, meant to oversee the rail project.
The case has been adjourned until April 8, 2025, when any interested parties wishing to claim the funds will have the opportunity to present their case before the court.