Home Blog Page 212

Port Harcourt Refinery: Prices of petroleum products will come down – NMDPRA boss

My Engineers
-
0
Port Harcourt Refinery: Prices of petroleum products will come down – NMDPRA boss

The Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority, Farouk Ahmed has said the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery will lead to decrease in prices of petroleum products.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu in 2023 announced an end to the subsidy regime, leading to a hike in the cost of petrol.

Ahmed disclosed this to newsmen at the opening of the porthacourt refinery on Tuesday.

According to him, products will be available nationwide because there’s now competition among Dangote Refinery and porthacourt refinery.

“Products will be available nationwide. What is important is that there is now competition and there is a choice, and we will see the prices of the products come down becausethers ample supply”.

The NMDPRA boss added that with Dangote and porthacourt refineries on stream, Warri and Kaduna will be the next exporter of petroleum products.

Engage experts in AI policy development, association tells FG

My Engineers
-
0
Engage experts in AI policy development, association tells FG

by Rotimi Agbana

The Information Systems Audit and Control Association, Lagos State Chapter, has urged the Federal Government to involve experts in developing the National Artificial Intelligence Policy.

ISACA Lagos Chapter President, Tokunbo Taiwo, made this call on the heels of the recently concluded 2024 Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Conference, themed “Transformative Role of AI in the Future of IT GRC.”

A statement made available to PUNCH Online on Tuesday noted that the event, organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Government, underscored the importance of experts’ input in shaping AI policies to ensure robust and effective governance.

While acknowledging the FG’s efforts in AI research, Taiwo stressed the increasing need for professional expertise in the policy-making process.

He said, “The government is doing quite a lot and that’s been for some years now. We have a draft – that is the National Policy on AI, there is a centre for artificial intelligence research and I know that the Honourable Minister is really working to ensure that it gets on the mainstream.

“However, it is important to involve stakeholders, that is professionals like us in that thought process so that whatever is coming up is one that will be beneficial to us all.”

The statement quoted the Special Adviser on Taxation and Revenue to the Governor of Lagos State, Abdul-Kabir Ogungbo, to have remarked that the Sanwo-Olu-led administration is embracing AI as a powerful tool to improve governance.

“In Lagos, we are embracing AI as a powerful tool to improve governance. Artificial Intelligence is positioned to play a significant role in enhancing revenue assurance, Governance, Risk Management, and Control (GRC) processes across various industries, especially in the area of revenue assurance.

“By integrating AI Revenue Assurance and GRC will boost efficiency, risk management, compliance, and growth. It will streamline tax collection, improve services, and reduce errors, ensuring better resource management. AI will drive smarter, more accountable government reform. In Lagos, we are not waiting for the future of governance—we are creating it”, Ogungbo said.

FULL LIST: Nine Completed Refineries In Nigeria

My Engineers
-
0
FULL LIST: Nine Completed Refineries In Nigeria

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Tuesday, November 26, announced that the Port Harcourt Refinery has commenced operations.

Its Chief Corporate Communications Officer Mr Olufemi Soneye disclosed this in a message to The Nation.

He said: “A Historic Milestone: Port Harcourt Refinery Begins Operations.

“Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing.

“This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.

“Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the exceptional leadership of GCEO Mele Kyari for their unwavering commitment to this transformative project. Together, we are reshaping Nigeria’s energy future!”

Here are nine completed refineries in Nigeria

1. Edo Refinery and PetroChemical Company:

This project is a wholly owned subsidiary of AIPCC Energy.

It operates in two phases with capacities of 1,000 BPSD and 5,000 BPSD and has been commissioned and is fully operational.

2. Duport Midstream:

Located in Edo State, this is a 2,500-BPD refinery that was completed in 2022 and started production in 2023.

3. Walter Smith refinery:

The Walter Smith refinery is a 5,000-bpd oil refinery located in Imo State. The refinery started operations in 2020, with plans to expand its capacity to 50,000 bpd in the coming years.

4. OPAC Refinery, Delta state:

This 10,000-bpd modular refinery located in Kwale, Delta state was completed in 2021 as part of the federal government’s effort to improve local crude oil refining.

5. Niger Delta Petroleum Refinery (Aradel).

The initial 1,000 bbls/day AGO topping plant was commissioned in 2010. Currently, the 3-train, 11,000 bbls/day modular refinery produces Automotive Gas Oil, Dual Purpose Kerosene, Marine Diesel Oil, High-Pour Fuel Oil, and Naphtha.

6. Old Port-Harcourt refinery:

Built and commissioned in 1965 with a refining capacity of 60,000 barrels of oil per day.

In March 2021, the federal government awarded the repair of the refinery to Tecnimont SPA- an Italian company that would carry out repair works in phases.

In December last year, the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Sen. Keineken Lokpobiri announced the mechanical completion and flare startup of the refinery.

7. Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC):

The 125,000-bpd capacity WRPC was built and commissioned in 1978 at a cost of around $478 million.

The refinery has never achieved full capacity utilization as production has declined steadily except in the early 1990’s, during which there was a brief upswing in production.

In 2021, the federal government awarded the contract for the repair of the decrepit refinery to Saipem SPA at a cost of $897 million.

8. New Port-Harcourt refinery:

In 1985, the federal government commissioned the New Port Harcourt refinery, built at a cost of $850 million. It has the capacity to refine 150,000 barrels of oil daily.

The commissioning of the New Port Harcourt refinery increased the total refining capacity of the plants to 210,000 barrels per day.

9. Dangote Refinery:

This is a 650,000-bpd refinery located in Lekki, Lagos state. The refinery cost around $19 billion and was commissioned in May 2023. Oil refining started in late December 2023, and it started dispensing products to local and international markets as of May 2024.

Port Harcourt Refinery Commences Crude Oil Processing

My Engineers
-
0
Port Harcourt Refinery Commences Crude Oil Processing

The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd in Rivers State has commenced crude oil processing.

This is according to the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroluem Company Limited (NNPCL) Femi Soneye.

“Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation,” Soneye said on Tuesday.

“Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the exceptional leadership of GCEO Mele Kyari for their unwavering commitment to this transformative project. Together, we are reshaping Nigeria’s energy future!”

Soneye said truck loading will also commence on Tuesday (today), adding that the NNPCL is “working tirelessly to bring the Warri Refinery back online soon”.

The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, and his entourage during an inspection tour of the rehabilitation work progress at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd. plant, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Tuesday’s move ends a series of failed deadlines for the commencement of production at the refinery in Nigeria’s oil-rich Rivers State.

Upon his assumption of office in August 2023, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri said the Port Harcourt refinery would begin production in September before it was pushed forward to December of that year.

In March of the following year, the Group Managing Director of NNPCL Mele Kyari said the refinery would begin production in April.

“We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity,” Kyari said in August when he inspected the rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd

“We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products,” he said.

Three years ago, the Federal Government approved $1.5 billion (1.2 billion euros) to repair the plant, one of the country’s biggest refineries which was shut down in 2019.

Despite being one of the largest producers of crude oil, Nigeria has over the years relied on the importation of petroleum products owing to a lack of local refining capacity.

Nigeria swaps crude worth billions of dollars for petrol that it had subsidised for years to keep prices cheap for its domestic market. Fuel imports and subsidies caused a huge drain on foreign exchange when Nigeria was struggling with dwindling oil revenues and foreign currency shortages.

But in September 2024, the Dangote refinery began the production of petrol, months after it said the plant had started operation.

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery has commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel,” the group said. “This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone.”

With the coming onstream of the Port Harcourt refinery and the Dangote refinery already in production, Nigerians expect that these would cushion the impacts of the removal of fuel subsidy which hiked the cost of the commodity from around N200 to over N1,000 per litre.

You Will Refund Every Penny – HOS Tells Civil Servants Still Receiving Salaries In Nigeria After Relocating Abroad

My Engineers
-
0
You Will Refund Every Penny – HOS Tells Civil Servants Still Receiving Salaries In Nigeria After Relocating Abroad

The Head of Civil Service of the Federation, HCSF, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, has provided an update on the lingering issue of ghost workers in the civil service.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had at the 2024 Civil Service Award and Gala Night, said civil servants who had relocated abroad while drawing salaries without formally resigning, must refund the wages they received during the period.

Speaking at a press conference to mark her 100 days in office on Monday, the HCSF said some of such workers have returned to their job in Nigeria while other resigned honourably.

She vowed that the momentum would be sustained to fish out such workers as it a continuous process.

“On the civil servants who have ‘japa’, the issue came up and there was verifications done. Some of them returned to the country to continue working while some others resigned honourably,” she said.

“Right now, it’s just to sustain the momentum. We’re still scrutinising using the IPIS HR and the IPIS payroll to know who is there and who’s out.

“I think that’ll be a continuous process to ensure that people are not having their cake and eating it by going outside and still receiving their salaries.

“Progress has been made in this regard and we’ll ensure that it is completely dealt with.

On the issue of harmonisation of workers salaries, the HoS said “the issue has been on for quite some time. When I came in I tried to find out where we are on that I’m aware that the National Wages, Income and Salary Commission is working very hard on that. I’m also aware there’s a Presidential committee on Salary.

“And being a member of that committee, I can assure that the committee is working hard to deal with all the issues concerning salaries. I want to remind you that just before the minimum wage was approved, there was what we called a wage award and that also was very beneficial to the salaries of civil servants.”

Nigeria to launch 4 satellites –Tinubu

My Engineers
-
0
Nigeria to launch 4 satellites –Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has said Nigeria will launch four satellites within the timeline of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu said this at the opening ceremony of the 25th anniversary of Nigeria in Space in Abuja, yesterday.

The anniversary celebration was organised by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), in collaboration with the Nigeria Communication Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) and the Defence Space Administration (DSA).

Tinubu, who was represented by Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, said space was previously exclusive to developed countries, but the foresight of Nigerian leaders brought about Nigeria in space.

He said the early foresight of the Nigerian leaders facilitated the enactment of the Space Act that led to establishment of NASRDA in 1999.

“Space is an area of limitless opportunities and one which the advanced countries of the world are relentlessly discovering on how the opportunities can be tapped for their advantage.

“It is obvious Nigeria cannot afford to lag in this global quest of discovering space, and how the knowledge from such discoveries can help in solving its internal issues for national development,” he said.

According to him, efforts have been made by NASRDA to develop major space programmes in collaboration with the Nigerian Military to develop capacity in the use of space for tactical services.

“Today, the synergy between NASRDA, NigComSat and DSA has led into a tripodal support upon which an advanced and more robust national space programme will be built in the near future.

“All these giant strides made by this important sector of our country are notable and noble with the launch of seven satellites and efforts are on top gear to launch additional four satellites within the lifespan of this administration.

“Great effort should be made to ensure the private sector is mainstreamed into the heart of our space programme for us to do more in the coming years for our national development,” Tinubu said.

He called on lawmakers to prioritise the funding for space programmes to ensure the country played leading roles in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The president also emphasised the need to strengthen the NASRDA Act, to help the Nigerian space ecosystem to be more vibrant in its engagements, locally and internationally.

“Similarly, the sector will require improved budgetary support to be able to accomplish its programmes, whose outcomes can bring massive socio-economic dividends to Nigeria and her citizens.

“This will also solidify Nigeria’s standing as a leading space-faring country in Africa and further boost her image to competitively attract foreign direct investment because of our locational advantage for cheaper launching services.”

According to him, Nigeria’s space programme remains a platform for the peaceful uses of space for national and global development.

“This restates our administration’s commitment to continue to support the space programme to accelerate technological and innovative development.

Nnaji, who was represented by Esuabana Nko-Asanye, permanent secretary of the ministry, said the World Economic Forum’s 2024 report projected the global space economy to reach about $1.8 trillion by 2035.

The minister added that the growth would be driven by advances in satellite technology and industries like supply chain logistics, agriculture, among others

He said the growth would also impact aerospace sector, communications and was expected to generate over 60 per cent of the new economic value from space-enabled technologies.

“Space technology offers transformative solutions to global challenges, from monitoring climate change and managing natural resources to enhancing disaster response capabilities.

“Reduced costs and heightened accessibility will encourage increased participation from non-space sectors, integrating space into the fabric of global infrastructure,” the minister said.

He commended the president for recognising the role of space technology in the Renewed Hope Agenda and approving some projects for the agency.

“The president approved the replacement of NASRDA’s Earth Observation satellites, ensuring the regulation of oversight functions of all space activities in the country and utilisation of space technology to monitor the Federal Government revenues.”

Nnaji called on NASRDA to capitalise on the support of the Federal Government by expanding the revenue base through partnerships with the private sector.

According to him, the key areas of private sector engagement include commercial space travel, development of satellite technology, resource utilisation, investment in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) ventures, and technology transfer to drive industrial growth.

Earlier, Director General of NASRDA, Matthew Adepoju, recalled that over the past 25 years, the Nigerian space programme had been a beacon of Nigeria’s aspirations in space exploration and development, thereby placing the country on the global map of space-faring nations.

The director general disclosed Tinubu’s administration had recently approved for the development of four satellites, which included a Synthetic Aperture Radar (5AR) satellite and the first in Africa.

“This transformative project will be executed under a public-private partnership, ensuring the infusion of expertise and investment to accelerate implementation.

“These satellites will significantly enhance our capabilities in areas such as precision agriculture, disaster management, national security, and urban planning, while contributing to global scientific advancements.

“Furthermore, we are guided by the recent presidential directive to integrate space technology into the operations of all revenue-generating agencies, departments, and ministries in Nigeria.

“This directive underscores the strategic importance of space technology in enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability across government functions, ultimately contributing to national development.”

The director general restated the agency’s commitment to building the space programme in the country through transformational research and partnerships, building staff capacity and mainstreaming the private sector into space activities.

He said over the years, the country had made remarkable strides in space technology, which included the launch of satellites that had impacted disaster management, security, among others.

“Nigeria’s space assets, including NigeriaSat-1, NigeriaSat-2, and NigeriaSat-X, NigComSat-1, among others, are vital tools for national development.

“These satellites have supported critical disaster management, urban activities in security, health, agriculture, disaster immense value to planning, and broadband connectivity and advancing our nation’s reputation as a space-capable country,’’ he said.

According to him, today is a call to action and reminder that our collective efforts will define the next chapter of Nigeria’s space exploration. Stakeholders, partners are invited to join us to transform our dreams to reality.

Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, said the global space industry was evolving with huge opportunities which Nigeria should leverage.

Egerton-Idehen said: “This calls for sustained investment, robust policy support, and deeper collaborations to ensure space technology continues to drive economic growth, foster security, and transform lives across Nigeria and beyond.

“Let this 25-year journey not just be a mark of our past, but a beacon guiding us toward an even brighter and more innovative future.”

Highlights of the event were the unveiling of a 25-year compendium of NASRDA activities and space awards presentations.

President Tinubu was awarded with the grand patron of space award, while the anniversary is a week-long programme.

No disparity between us and NUPRC oil output figures – NNPC

My Engineers
-
0
No disparity between us and NUPRC oil output figures – NNPC

By Udeme Akpan

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has clarified that there is no discrepancy between its crude oil production figures and those provided by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The clarification follows media reports suggesting a mismatch between NUPRC’s cited output of 1.54 million barrels per day (mbpd) for September 2024 and NNPCL’s report of 1.8 mbpd for October 2024.

In a statement, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, explained that the perceived disparity stems from differences in the periods covered by the reports.

“The seeming disparity is a result of the difference in the period of coverage in the reports — whereas the NNPC Ltd.’s figure was the peak production for October 2024, the NUPRC’s figure was the average production for October 2024,” Soneye stated.

He further noted that the NUPRC’s Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Komolafe, had corroborated this at the 42nd Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists (NAPE) Annual International Conference & Exhibition in Lagos. Represented by the Executive Commissioner for Development & Production, Mr. Enorense Amadasu, Komolafe confirmed that Nigeria’s crude oil output, including condensates, rose from 1.54 mbpd in September to 1.8 mbpd in October 2024, marking a 16.56% month-on-month increase.

Komolafe was quoted as saying: “This represents an increase of 253,710 bpd to reach 1.8 mbpd in October, up from 1.54 mbpd in September 2024.”

NNPCL emphasized that the October peak production figure of 1.8 mbpd surpassed Nigeria’s 1.5 mbpd production quota set by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Soneye added, “There is, therefore, no disparity or discrepancy in the production figures by NNPC Ltd and the regulator. NNPC Ltd is working closely with relevant stakeholders to boost production to 2 mbpd and above by the end of 2024.”

The statement underscores NNPCL’s commitment to transparency and collaboration as Nigeria seeks to enhance its crude oil output.

Jigawa Government Sponsor 30 Technicians For Advance Agric Mechanization To China

My Engineers
-
0
Jigawa Government Sponsor 30 Technicians For Advance Agric Mechanization To China

By Salihu Ali,

The Jigawa State Government in North West Nigeria has sponsored 30 newly recruited ‘master technicians’ to China for specialized training in agricultural mechanization.

This is a step towards transforming Jigawa State agricultural sector and enhance productivity through advanced technology and capacity building.

At a fare well ceremony in the Government House, Dutse, the Governor Mallam Umar Namadi described the initiative as a landmark moment in the state’s agricultural history.

He reiterated that agriculture remains the basis of Jigawa State’s economy and stressed the government’s commitment to mechanizing farming practices to boost proficiency and reduce manual labor.

To facilitate this transformation, 60 service centers have been established across the state, along with the appointment of a managing director for the Jigawa State Farm Mechanization Program, a fully independent company registered under the Corporate Affairs Commission.

The company will oversee the deployment of farm machinery and ensure its maintenance and operational sustainability.

According to Governor Namadi, the state government has already made substantial progress in this regard, including the procurement of 300 tractors, 60 combine harvesters, disc ploughs, sprayers, and other essential farm implements.

He also announced that 65% of the payment for the machinery has been made, with the remaining 35% expected to be completed by the end of next month.

The governor emphasized that, “these machines will be made accessible to farmers across in the state through the service centers, where farmers can be able to hire tractors and other equipment at heavily subsidized rates, ensuring affordability and sustainability of the programme.”

“Our goal is to ensure the mechanization of agriculture, making these tractors available to all farmers in the state. All farmers have to do is visit any of the service centres, request a tractor, and the tractor will be delivered to their farms to render services.”

He stated that the 30 technicians traveling to China will undergo six to eight weeks of training in agricultural equipment maintenance and operation.

The training program is part of a comprehensive capacity-building initiative under the Jigawa Agricultural Mechanization Support System (JAMSS).

The Jigawa Agricultural Mechanization Program is projected to not only revolutionize farming practices in the state but also position Jigawa as a leader in agricultural innovation in Nigeria.

Details of the engagement was contained in a press statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Jigawa State Hamisu Mohammed Gumel.

Why Monday is the most dangerous day on a building site

My Engineers
-
0
Why Monday is the most dangerous day on a building site

By Milad Haghani

Australia’s construction industry employs more than 1.3 million workers. That’s about 9% of the workforce. But construction sites can be dangerous workplaces. There are also more accidents on a Monday than any other weekday, a pattern we see in many countries.

A number of factors combine to give us this “Monday effect”. And we can address these and other issues to reduce the number of avoidable workplace accidents on Mondays and other days of the week.

Construction is dangerous

The construction sector has higher rates of workplace injuries than the national average.

In 2023, the industry reported 45 workers had died, an increase from the five-year average of 33.

Construction workers most commonly die after being hit by moving objects. Deaths after falls, trips and slips are the next most common reasons.

The 2022–23 financial year saw more than 16,600 serious workers’ compensation claims in the construction sector. The median compensation now stands at A$18,479, with a median work time lost of 8.5 weeks – both up from previous years.

The ‘Monday effect’

Various studies across different regions confirm the “Monday effect” in construction. For example, a Chinese study found fatal accidents were 12.6% more common on Mondays compared with other weekdays. There was a similar trend in Spain and Hong Kong.

We also see the “Monday effect” in other industries, such as agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing.

A Spanish study that looked at the records of nearly 3 million occupational accidents, including construction, confirmed the Monday effect across industries, in companies of all sizes, for all types of workers, and for different types of injury.

Combined data of all occupational accidents in Queensland also confirms the Monday affect.

Why Mondays?

Construction accidents are more likely on a Monday for many reasons.

For instance, falling asleep late on Sunday night and having poor-quality rest the night before the start of the working week contributes to “cognitive failure” and errors at work on Monday.

Mondays tend to involve the start of new tasks or projects. This can introduce unfamiliar risks.

Site conditions, including the weather, may also change over the weekend, creating unexpected hazards. For instance, strong winds over the weekend could cause scaffolding or unsecured materials to shift, increasing the risk of accidents on Monday.

We need to address the root causes

A study into the safety and performance of Australia’s construction industry emphasised being proactive in anticipating and preventing accidents rather than taking measures after accidents have occurred – on Mondays or on other days of the week.

The study drew on in-depth interviews with 30 industry professionals across 14 companies to identify several factors contributing to construction accidents:

  1. unrealistic deadlines, which may lead workers to rush and cut corners to get the job done on time
  2. a shortage of skilled labour, meaning some workers might be doing work they are not qualified to do
  3. workers afraid to speak up about safety concerns, which can lead to potential hazards not being reported and resolved
  4. complex and unfamiliar bespoke builds, which may introduce unique risks and challenges workers may have not yet encountered
  5. inadequate risk assessments of human factors, which include fatigue, stress, or cognitive overload, and can lead to errors and unsafe decisions on site
  6. rushed training programs, particularly for safety, which can leave workers ill-equipped to handle hazards or follow proper procedures.

What can we do to prevent accidents?

Part of addressing some of these issues involves fostering a workplace culture where safety is viewed as a core value and a shared responsibility between employers, supervisors and workers.

In construction companies where safety is treated as a “psychological contract” – an unwritten but mutual obligation between workers and supervisors – workers are better equipped to identify and address safety hazards.

Awareness campaigns highlighting issues such as the “Monday effect” could also encourage workflows to be adjusted to reduce the risk of an accident. This could include scheduling less hazardous or less complex tasks on Mondays to allow workers time to get back into the swing of things.
What else can we do?

Technology may also help prevent accidents.

For example, wearable sensors on a wristband or smartphone could identify, track and monitor workers’ body posture. These sensors might detect unsafe lifting practices, excessive bending, or prolonged periods in static or awkward positions. These are factors that can contribute to ergonomic risks and injuries.

Augmented reality may be be used to simulate tasks to help workers practise techniques safely.

Artificial intelligence could analyse camera vision to monitor work sites for unsafe activities and to flag hazards.

But concerns about cost, privacy and convincing the industry these investments are worthwhile are among barriers to introducing these technologies.

Money talks

Raising awareness about the economic costs of workplace accidents may shift attitudes and priorities.

A 2019 Australian study found the mean cost of a construction accident is $2,040 to $6,024,517. This depends on whether the accident results in a short or long absence from work, someone is partially or fully incapacitated, or someone dies.

A compensation payment, loss of income or earnings, staff training and retraining costs, social welfare payments, as well as medical, investigation and carer costs are among components in this estimate.
Aim for zero deaths

Occupational deaths and injuries on construction sites should not be dismissed as unfortunate mishaps. They are a symptom of multiple, systemic factors that need to be addressed through deliberate action and a commitment to safety.

Just as road safety initiatives aim for zero fatalities, the construction industry should set its sights on achieving zero workplace deaths.

Republished from the conversation

NSE, two firms sign MoU to improve food security, youth empowerment

My Engineers
-
0
NSE, two firms sign MoU to improve food security, youth empowerment

The Nigerian Society of Engineers, (NSE) has signed Memoranda of Understanding with two Nigerian agripreneur firms to promote the establishment of demonstration farms across the country.

The NSE stated that the agreements align with its rebirth agenda to enhance food security and create jobs for Nigerians.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the society explained that these partnerships are part of its strategic efforts to address agricultural challenges in Nigeria, as outlined during its ongoing international conference.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, NSE President Margaret Oguntala noted that the programme would not only create job opportunities but also benefit all parties involved.

The agreements, signed with Integrated Lancaster Farms and Assetrise Limited, aim to introduce innovative technologies to tackle Nigeria’s food insecurity.

Oguntala emphasised the society’s commitment to fulfilling its objectives as outlined in its strategic agenda.

“We expect this collaboration to be mutually beneficial, enhancing NSE’s activities while improving your businesses. Ultimately, it’s all in the interest of our members,” she stated.

She added that the initiative is geared towards the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, aligning with the theme of this year’s NSE annual conference.

The Group Managing Director of Assetrise Limited, Oluwadurotimi Ojamamoye, revealed that the programme would include an incubation hub to help graduates transition to owning their farms.

At the Federal University of Agriculture, he said, the firm had been allotted 100 hectares of land for cultivating millions of yam tubers, with plans to expand to 1,000 hectares.

“So, as students graduate, they can each cultivate one hectare, empowering themselves. This programme aims to support 1,500 students, and the NSE is collaborating with us to achieve this,” Ojamamoye said.

He also highlighted the company’s achievements in Lagos State, where it operates the state’s largest farm.

“Despite the assumption that Lagos lacks arable land, we cultivated over a million yam tubers in Epe in 2023. This year, we are on track to deliver nearly 3 million tubers, alongside a Smart City project involving 3,000 hectares,” he added.

Patrick Obidoyin, Co-founder of Integrated Lancaster Farms, noted that the partnership aims to empower youth and reduce unemployment.

“Nigeria has all the resources required to move from food production deficits to surpluses,” Obidoyin stated, expressing optimism about a productive relationship with the NSE and other stakeholders

1...211212213...1,207Page 212 of 1,207