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Uganda Airlines starts direct routes from Nigeria

Published

3 weeks ago

September 16, 2024

Uganda Airlines has begun offering direct service to Entebbe, located in central Uganda, from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. According to the airline, the new route should improve connectivity, shorten travel times, increase trade and tourism between the two nations, and give travellers a quick and convenient way to get between West and East Africa.

The airline announced this at the recent inauguration held at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

Ambassador Nelson Ocheger, the Ugandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, emphasised the significance of the enhanced connectivity.

“I believe that Nigerians and other passengers will be impacted in a variety of ways by this flight and the ones that will follow.

“First and foremost, it is going to reduce the time spent to move from Abuja to Entebbe. The ministers mentioned that it took them three and a half hours to move from Entebbe to Abuja. Secondly, it is going to reduce the cost of transport,” he explained.

Ocheger went on to say that the direct flight would make it easier for cargo to transit between the two nations, boosting trade and commercial expansion.

“The volume of trade will certainly increase, and when the volume of trade increases, the people who produce those goods and the people who are providing those services will grow their businesses. They will employ more people, and those employed will have incomes in their pockets,” he added.

The Ugandan ambassador addressed worries about possible drug and people trafficking and stated that both nations have strong protocols in place.

“The Federal Republic of Nigeria has a robust system to identify wolves amongst the sheep, and the same with Uganda. Given the systems that exist in both countries, this is something that will be a work in progress. We can identify wrong elements who are moving from one country to another,” he assured.

Adedayo Olawuyi, the Chief Commercial Officer of Uganda Airlines, also disclosed the inaugural fares, which will be available for the next several months.

“As of today, tickets between Abuja and Entebbe in economy class will cost you just $600, and in business class, $1,665,” he stated.

Hon. Fred Byamukana, Uganda’s Minister of State for Transport, commended the friendly ties that have existed between Nigeria and Uganda for a long time.

“We have been living as brothers and sisters. This bridge we have built is one to maintain our friendship. In terms of business, this helps you to grow economically,” said Byamukana, underscoring the economic benefits of the new flight route.

Hassan Etibunu, the director of the Ministry of Aviation, continued, saying that both Uganda and Nigeria would benefit from the increased airline connectivity. Travelling to Uganda or East Africa used to be difficult, but this flight will make the trip shorter and enable smooth contact between the two countries.

Etibunu underlined that the direct flight will increase commerce opportunities by lowering freight costs and simplifying the process.

Related Topics:Abuja Featured Nigeria Uganda Airlines

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Fortuna Mining says Burkina Faso won’t scrap permits

Published

1 hour ago

October 9, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

The Burkina Faso government does not intend to revoke Fortuna Mining’s current mining permits within the nation, the Canadian company said on Monday.

Ibrahim Traoré, the leader of the Junta, stated on Saturday that Burkina Faso intended to remove some mining permissions from international businesses and work towards increasing local gold production. However, he did not specify which permits would be revoked.

The entire index fell on Monday as shares of gold miners with projects in the West African nation plummeted precipitously at the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Fortuna Mining’s stock was down 9% at 3:25 PM ET (19:25 GMT). The owner of the Bombero gold mine, Orezone Gold Corp., had a 9% decrease on the TSX.

In addition to addressing several subjects on Saturday to mark two years as president, gold producer Endeavour Mining said Traor hinted that some mining permits would be cancelled.

Endeavour asserted that it is unaware of any intentions to cancel any of the company’s mining permits and that the government continues to support the business.

Growing insecurity has made things more difficult in West African country despite its rich mineral resources. ACLED, a U.S.-based crisis-monitoring organisation, asserts that in 2023, over 8,000 individuals lost their lives in the nation, even though the junta promised to suppress groups linked to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State.

Burkina Faso has witnessed a boom in the mining sector since the early 2000s, primarily in the gold but also in the zinc and manganese industries. At the moment, the country is Africa’s fifth-largest producer of gold.

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Nigerian govt begins 2025 retirees’ enrollment

Published

2 hours ago

October 9, 2024

Ifeoluwa Dada

Nigeria’s National Pension Commission has declared that it has formally begun the process of enrolling potential retirees in 2025, highlighting the significance of early planning.

The commission demanded that ministries, departments, and agencies refrain from any last-minute rush that can interfere with the enrolment process and make it more difficult for retirees to adjust to their new stage of life.

At a workshop held by the National Pension Commission on Monday in Abuja to launch the online enrolment process for pension desk officers of MDAs funded by the Federal government’s Treasury for 2024, Omolola Oloworaran, the acting director-general of the commission, revealed this information.

Currently, 7,348,028 people in Nigeria, or 10.58% of the country’s working population, are registered members of the National Pension Scheme. The commission reported that it paid N1.1tn to 129,435 life annuity applicants in the second quarter of 2024, reflecting advances in pension benefits.

During her speech, the acting director general (DG) said that the purpose of this exercise is to gather precise information so that the federal government may evaluate the Accrued Pension Rights of potential retirees and make the appropriate budgetary adjustments.

The commission, she continued, has advanced significantly by automating the enrolment procedure and launching an online enrolment application that makes retiree enrolment, verification, and registration easy.

Oloworaran said, “At the National Pension Commission, we hold firmly to our statutory responsibility of ensuring a seamless pre-retirement verification and enrolment process for employees of Federal Government Treasury-funded MDAs. Each year, we embark on this exercise to gather accurate data for determining the Accrued Pension Rights of prospective retirees, so that the Federal Government can make the necessary budgetary provisions.

“Today’s session is not just a routine gathering; it is part of PenCom’s commitment to building the capacity of stakeholders, specifically you, the Pension Desk Officers, whose roles are indispensable in this process. Since 2021, we have made significant strides by automating the enrolment process, and introducing an Online Enrolment Application that allows seamless registration, verification, and enrolment of retirees.

“This system, comprising the Retiree, MDA, PFA, and PenCom modules, represents the future of pension administration in Nigeria. As PDOs, you are the linchpin in this process, ensuring that retiree information is properly uploaded and verified. Hence, this workshop aims to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively use the application and address any challenges that arise during the enrolment process. We are also here to confront the issues of the past head-on.”