Business News
Foreign investors are avoiding these sectors like a flea
Foreign Investment into Nigeria in the first quarter of 2019 rose to $8.4 billion compared to $6.3 billion in the same period of 2018.
Foreign Investment into Nigeria in the first quarter of 2019 rose to $8.4 billion compared to $6.3 billion in the same period of 2018. Whilst most of the inflows were focussed on foreign portfolio investments, it is pleasing that Nigerian experienced an investment growth especially when you consider that we had the national elections within this quarter.
The government has over the years embarked on several strategies in its bid to attract foreign investments into the country. They have offered tax incentives, provided intervention funds, erected trade barriers all for the sole purpose of attracting investment.
Despite these laudable efforts, foreign investors continue to shun some sectors like a flea. Some of these sectors employ thousands of Nigerians and are a cause to worry if you are anyone in government circles. Here are some of the pertinent ones by our reckoning.
Brewery Sector: According to the data, Nigeria’s brewery sector, one of the most competitive sectors in the country attracted zero foreign investments in the first quarter of 2019. The sector attracted just $4.8 million in the whole of 2018, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics.
What this means
- Nigeria’s brewery sector is largely dominated by the likes of Nigeria Breweries, Guinness and International Breweries.
- These sectors have received a considerable amount of investments in the last 5 years so we assume investments here have peaked.
- However, data from the NBS suggest capital importation in this sector is a combined $90 million since 2014. So could this be a reporting challenge?
- Investors are probably now looking for returns of and on investments.
- Government policy towards this sector has also been negative, especially with the increase in excise duty for alcoholic products.
Hotels & Hospitality: Despite the array of hotel constructions littered all over the country, the NBS report picked zero investments in the country’s hotel sector.
What this means
- While the official NBS data reported zero capital importation, it is likely that some investments did inflow into this sector.
- Most hotel investments in Nigeria are owned by Nigerians. And where they are not, investments in here come from revenues already being generated by the companies.
- Foreign participation in this sector is also via hotel management which means they export capital rather than import.
- Hotels employ thousands of Nigerians and their services are constantly in high demands. Unfortunately, the government hasn’t had a targeted policy for the hospitality sector in general.
- To attract significant investment here, Nigeria will have to look beyond hotels to drive investments. A coordinated approach to tourism development will probably be best suited.
- For now, investors will continue to shun this sector even though we have seen a 4% plus GDP growth rate.
Training: Nigeria has a huge human capital development challenge and has been recognized even in more advanced sectors like the financial services sector. However, foreign investment in this sector continues to be nonexistent.
- In the first quarter of 2019, Nigeria received just under $500k investments in the sector. We also attracted zero investment in 2018 and the years before.
- It could well be that the data is not properly being reported so the NBS may not be capturing all that has been received.
- Nevertheless, for a sector that is critical to nation building and central to human capital competitiveness the level of foreign investment in this sector is too small.
Others of note:
- Drilling
- Consultancy
- Electrical services
- IT services
Coronavirus
Breaking: COVID-19: Buruji Kashamu is dead
Kashamu’s demise was announced by a former lawmaker-friend and party member on Twitter.
Senator Buruji Kashamu has died on Saturday.
Buruji, who was a member of the 8th Senate, died of COVID-19 at the First Cardiology Consultants, Lagos.
This was disclosed by Senator Ben Murray-Bruce via his Twitter handle.
I have just lost my good friend of forever to #COVID19. Until his death, Sen. Buruji Kashamu and I were inseparable. He died today at First Cardiology Consultants, in Lagos. May his gentle soul rest in peace. I pray his family and loved ones the fortitude to bear this heavy loss. pic.twitter.com/OJGIt0VK3n
— Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) August 8, 2020
Details soon …
Business
NUPENG gives reasons it directed petroleum tanker drivers to embark on strike in Lagos
NUPENG said its members are being consistently extorted, intimidated, harassed and victimized by different groups.
The National leadership of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has disclosed the 3 major reasons why it directed Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) to withdraw their services from Lagos.
NUPENG revealed that the 3 major challenges that were being faced by Petroleum Tanker Drivers include; Extortion of money from the petroleum tanker drivers by various security agents, the menace of containerized trucks at Apapa, Kirikiri and Beach Land axis of Lagos State and the harassment and extortion by area boys and area godfathers.
This was contained in the press statement that was issued by NUPENG on Friday, August 7, 2020, and signed by its National President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and its General Secretary, Comrade Olawale Afolabi.
While directing petroleum tanker drivers to withdraw its services, the national leadership of NUPENG said it cannot afford to fold its arms while its members are being consistently and continually extorted, intimidated, harassed and victimized by different groups and segments in Lagos.
On the extortion of money from Petroleum Tanker Drivers by various security agents; NUPENG said that it is really disturbing that security agents who are expected to ensure free-flow of traffic and protection of road users now use their uniforms and arms to intimidate, harass and extort money from Petroleum Tanker Drivers. The union pointed out that this reprehensible conduct by the security agents is taking serious tolls on the psychological, emotional and financial state of Petroleum Tanker Drivers and their capacity to effectively and efficiently deliver services to the nation.
On the menace of Containerized Trucks at Apapa, Kirikiri and Beach Land axis of Lagos State and collusion of government officials hindering Petroleum Tankers from loading activities at depots and tank farms;
The union said that the persistent traffic gridlock and indiscriminate parking of containerized trucks on major Lagos roads and bridges leading to Apapa port, Kirikiri, Beach Land, Satellite Town, Ijegun, are another major setbacks bedevilling the smooth running of the operations of Petroleum Tanker Drivers in Lagos State.
NUPENG disclosed that as at today, MRS depot has been held captive for more than 3 months from discharging products to Petroleum Tanker Drivers despite heavy availability of Petroleum products stockpiled in their tank farm facilities.
They explained that for safety reasons, Petroleum Tanker Drivers cannot continue to struggle with these containerized trucks in these corridors considering the inflammable nature of the products their members carry and cannot afford to undermine safety standards, procedures and protocols in the course of rendering their services.
Some of the locations faced with this situation include Oshodi/Apapa Expressway, Ojuelegba Bridge, Iponri, Constain roads, Ikorodu road through Funsho Williams Avenue (formerly Western Avenue) to Ijora inward Apapa and Oshodi-Apapa Expressway through Mile 2 to Berger Yard inward Tincan Island. These locations have been overwhelmed with indiscriminate parking of these articulated vehicles, aggravating the gridlock faced by Petroleum Tanker Drivers that ply the roads daily to lift products.
On the harassment and extortion by Area Boys and Area god-fathers; The union said that it was really worried that Lagos State which is known to be a megacity and centre of excellence has now become a safe haven for area boys and area god-fathers who now see Petroleum Tanker Drivers as soft targets, extorting money from them on a daily basis, assaulting them and vandalizing their trucks in some instances, especially when some of the Tanker Drivers show restraints in paying them illegal fees and levies.
They said that the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) now battle with both Area Boys and Area God-fathers amidst the deplorable state of the roads in Lagos State, and this is really causing PTD lots of havoc on a daily basis.
The union pointed out that a distance of just about 10 kilometres, now takes 7 to 8 hours of manoeuvres by petrol tankers, many of which break down in the process, upturning their contents, killing PTD members and endangering the lives of several other Nigerians who traverse the roads.
They revealed that Tanker Drivers whose activities cut across Oguntedo, old Ojo road, Ijegun-Egba, Abule Ado and its environs in Satellite town, Oriade Local government Area, and Apapa corridor of Lagos state have continued to work in fears, following incessant attacks by members of various notorious groups who have developed a penchant for extorting money forcefully from Tanker Drivers.
They are known for operating unchallenged and freely around Apapa, Kirikiri, Mile 2, Maza-Maza and Abule-Ado, near Trade Fair flank and so on.
NUPENG said that they decided to embark on the indefinite strike after consultations with the different leadership organs of the union and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry.
Appointments
MRS Oil announces resignation of its MD, appoints an acting MD
The disclosure was made in a notification by the oil marketing giant.
Oil marketing giant, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, has announced the resignation of its Managing Director, Mrs Priscilla Thorpe-Monclus with effect from August 5, 2020, and the subsequent appointment of Mr Marco Storari as the Managing Director in an acting capacity.
The oil firm also announced the resignation of one of its directors, Mr Christopher Okorie, also with effect from August 5, 2020.
The disclosure was made in a notification by the oil marketing giant, which was sent to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on August 7, 2020, and signed by its Company Secretary O.M. Jafojo.
The statement from MRS Oil Nigeria Plc reads:
“At the Board Meeting of August 5, 2020, the Board of Directors of MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, considered and approved the resignation of Mrs Priscilla Thorpe-Monclus as Managing Director and Director of the Company, and the resignation of Mr Christopher Okorie as Director of the Company, effective August 5, 2020.
“The Board of Directors also considered and approved the appointment of Mr Marco Storari as Director and Managing Director (Acting) of the Company.’’
According to the statement, Mrs Thorpe-Monclus, during her tenure as the Managing Director, showed great commitment and dedication in her drive for the new MRS Brand, which resulted in the unveiling of three new retail outlets in Lagos, one in Owerri, two in Kano and two new outlets in Abuja. It also resulted in an overall business turnaround for the oil company.
The board commended the efforts of Mrs Thorpe-Monclus and Mr Okorie to the growth of the company and wished them the best in their future endeavours.
Mr Marco Storari, on the other hand, is a seasoned leader with more than 3 decades’ experience in the management, shipping, trading and terminal operations in the industry. He has held various high-level positions where he recorded business successes in companies in Italy, Monaco and Nigeria.
He was, until his appointment as Acting Managing Directors, the Group Executive Director, Storage and Terminal for MRS Holdings Limited. He has been a driving force in the transformation of the MRS Group over the last 10 years.
The Board of Directors of MRS has expressed its confidence in the ability of Storari to bring to bear his wealth of experience in the industry, to improve business efficiency.
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc is a fully integrated and efficient downstream player, with leading positions in the Nigerian Oil Industry. The oil firm, with its head office in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, previously traded under the name Texaco Nigeria Plc. It has 3 business units namely sale of petroleum products at retail outlets, sale of aviation fuel, and blending of lubricants.
Breaking: COVID-19: Buruji Kashamu is dead
NUPENG gives reasons it directed petroleum tanker drivers to embark on strike in Lagos
MRS Oil announces resignation of its MD, appoints an acting MD
Ogun State initiates tax relief scheme to cushion effects of COVID-19
COVID-19: World Bank approves $114 million response funds for Nigeria
COVID-19 Update in Nigeria
Nigeria attracts more Bitcoin interest than any country globally
9,007 crypto ATMs available globally for crypto transfers
Lagos sets up committee to monitor worship centres compliance to COVID-19 protocols
Crude oil prices settle almost 2% lower amid growing geopolitical risks
