Business

Imo Govt, German firm sign pact on clean environment management

Published

1 year ago

May 11, 2024

The Government of Imo State and a popular German firm called Eastern Waste Management Company Limited have entered into a pact on how to achieve a clean, hygienic and environmentally friendly State via proper waste gathering and recycling.

Beyond achieving a clean, hygienic and environmentally friendly Imo State, the Company has also committed to the creation of employment within the ecosystem.

The Imo State government and the German firm formally signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to seal the deal in the office of the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma in Owerri on Friday.

The Secretary to the Imo State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu and the Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Barr. Majority Emenike signed on behalf of the Imo State government while Njoku Cyril Uche and Agbi Isimeme, Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director respectively, signed for their German counterparts.

Addressing the audience prior the signing ceremony, Governor Uzodimma said that his government entered into the agreement with the Company “to ensure Imo people enjoy clean and hygienic environment, relying on the past performance of the Company in other States and even the pilot performance they carried out in some parts of the State recently.”

He explained that Imo State Government passed the Private Public Partnership (PPP), Law No 11 in 2018, “to enable government partner with private establishments to optimise values and utilisation of opportunities for the people.”

The Governor noted that government has a responsibility to identify partners that are known and have track records of performance and achievements and maintained that the Eastern Waste Management Company Limited has been brought to introduce cleanliness, hygiene to the Imo State environment and to facilitate job creation.

He emphasised that funding and the cost of keeping the environment clean in relation to lean resources of the State have made it necessary that government partners with companies and agencies in critical areas as to achieve result.

Governor Uzodimma said that the agreement had been vetted by the Attorney General of the State and that he has no hesitation in committing the government to the partnership.

He therefore urged the technical and financial partners to live up to the expectations “so that our people will get maximum benefit of the project.”

Earlier , the leader of the team, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Gerald Njoku informed that the Eastern Waste Management Company Limited has capacity in waste gathering and recycling as well as expertise in the areas of clean environment and eco-system management.

Reverend Njoku added that the activities of the firm Imo State will be broad-based because ‘they will bring in equipment that will burn and recycle waste using incinerators.”

“Their activities will, in addition, create jobs for the teaming unemployed youths who will be engaged in the various areas of the Company’s project.”

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor
May 10, 2024.

Business

Lagos loses N4trn yearly to traffic congestion, moves to regulate tanker operations

Published

3 days ago

June 13, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Lagos State Government has disclosed that the state suffers economic losses amounting to approximately N4 trillion each year due to persistent traffic congestion

This was revealed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, during a recent interview on TVC News.

He identified unregulated parking and the chaotic activities of tankers and articulated vehicles along key logistics corridors as major contributors to the problem.

In response, the government has announced the enforcement of an Electronic Call-Up (E-Call-Up) system, scheduled to take effect from Monday, June 16, 2025.

The initiative targets tankers and articulated vehicles operating along the Lekki-Epe corridor

Giwa explained that all truck operators entering Lagos to load or offload goods will now be required to register and book their movements through the E-Call-Up platform.

The system is designed to coordinate truck activities, eliminate indiscriminate roadside parking, and reduce traffic disruptions.

“Under the new system, tanker operators will be required to upload their Authority to Load, ATL, and pre-book assigned parking slots before arriving in Lagos.

The platform will also collect relevant cargo and travel data, supporting better logistical planning and enforcement.

Seven dedicated truck parks have been approved along the Lekki-Epe axis. These facilities will be equipped with restrooms, kitchens, electricity, and other basic amenities to support driver welfare and operational efficiency.

Giwa stated that the policy is the outcome of more than two years of stakeholder engagement and is a key part of the state’s broader efforts to reform its transportation system and build a more efficient and resilient urban environment.

Business

Arnold Ekpe: Nine things you need to know about new Chairman of Dangote Sugar

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc recently appointed Mr Arnold Ekpe as the new Chairman of its Board, effective 16th June 2025.

Ekpe’s appointment comes after the retirement of Alhaji Aliko Dangote as Chairman of the company on Wednesday.

Dangote’s retirement brought an end to a 20-year leadership of the company.

His retirement will take effect starting from June 16, this year, according to a statement issued yesterday by Company Secretary Temitope Hassan.

However, Ekwutosblog brings you seven things you need to know about Dangote’s replacement, Arnold Ekpe:

1. Ekpe is a seasoned finance professional with more than thirty years of experience in the corporate sectors and banking.

2. He was born in Aug. 1953 in Nigeria, and went to King’s College, Lagos, where he graduated in 1972 and later traveled to abroad for his tertiary education.

3. Ekpe attended the University of Manchester and earned a First Class Honours degree in Engineering as a Shell Scholar (1973–1976).

4. He later obtained an MBA from Manchester Business School (1977–1979).

5. Ekpe started his career in 1977 with Schlumberger SA as a Wireline Logging Engineer.

6. He joined Alcan Aluminium Nigeria as Executive Assistant to the CEO in 1979.

7. Ekpe then entered the banking industry in the early 1980s, starting at International Merchant Bank (an affiliate of First Chicago) as Head of Strategy.

8. He later became Group CEO of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, a role he held until his retirement in 2012.

9. He has served as an Independent Non‑Executive Director at Dangote Sugar Refinery since 2024.

Business

‘No deal collapsed’ – Nigerian Govt breaks silence on forward crude oil sale

Published

5 days ago

June 12, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Federal Government has debunked reports suggesting the collapse of a proposed forward crude oil sale involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.

This was as the government stated that no final decision has been made on the matter.

According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, on Wednesday in Abuja, the government said it was aware of recent media speculation surrounding the deal, stressing that such commentary is premature and inaccurate.

“While market speculation is not uncommon in the context of ongoing economic reforms and transactions, no final decision has been announced by the Government.

“Commentary suggesting the collapse of any such initiative is unfounded,” the statement read.

The statement maintained that the forward sale of crude oil-an arrangement often used to secure financing by pledging future oil production-remains under consideration as part of a broader strategy to stabilise Nigeria’s economy.

“The government remains focused on deploying a range of innovative, transparent, and fiscally responsible financing strategies to optimise Nigeria’s oil assets, improve external liquidity, and strengthen macroeconomic stability,” Manga said.

The Federal Government expresssed its commitment to deploying innovative, transparent, and fiscally responsible financing strategies to optimize Nigeria’s oil assets, improve external liquidity, and strengthen macroeconomic stability.

The move is said to be part of the government’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at promoting economic growth and development.

The Finance Ministry also reassured stakeholders that any decisions regarding forward crude oil sales will be made with careful consideration and transparency.