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New Landing Systems Approved for 11 Airports

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Arik Airplane - Investors King
  • New Landing Systems Approved for 11 Airports

Smarting from nationwide flight disruptions last December and early January, the Federal Government has concluded plans to deploy new Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) in at least 11 airports nationwide.

The equipment, valued at several millions of dollars, will put an end to flight disruptions during harmattan season and other inclement weather conditions.

Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, confirmed that the Federal Government had already made an order for ILS to go round the designated airfields and more.

An Instrument Landing System (ILS) enables aircraft to land if the pilots are unable to establish visual contact with the runway. It does this by way of transmitted radio signals.

According to experts, the system operates as a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision lateral and vertical guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays. This enables a safe landing during Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow.

Recall that domestic flights operations were on lockdown for several days last December due to envisaged harmattan haze. While more sophisticated wide-bodied foreign aircraft manoeuvred the haze, their domestic counterparts were grounded at airports across the country.

Akinkuotu, while conducting journalists round the upgraded navigational equipment at the Kaduna International Airport (KIA) recently, noted that visibility at many of the aerodromes are bad and the essence of deploying new ILS is to completely change the narrative.

He said: “Come December this year, there should be no excuse of aircraft not landing in harmattan.”

Among the airports to benefit from the critical safety tools are the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Port-Harcourt International Airport, Ibadan Airport, Benin Airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Abuja and Minna Airport among others.

According to Akinkuotu, “There are 11 ILSs that are going to be installed. They are brand new. Don’t let us forget that they are going to recover some items. Lagos has an ILS; I think Ibadan too is going to get newer ones. So, whatever we recover, we can put them in some other places. I would expect that over time when the materials, assets are in, we should be able to do not less than 18 fields.”

The plan is in line with the assurance given by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, that efforts were ongoing to keep improving all the airports amidst plans to have them concessioned in batches.

Sirika, in an interview with The Guardian, said there are plans to fix the whole airports, creating more activities around them to make them viable, attractive and bankable.

Currently, only very few aerodromes out of the 24 airports in Nigeria have airfield lighting and ILS.

The NAMA boss explained that there are two basic sets of costs associated with an ILS. They are installation costs, purchase of equipment, site surveying and preparation and upkeep costs.

“People forget that the latter doesn’t simply mean keeping the system in good repair; it also carries with it the requirement to regularly inspect the system to ensure it is operating within proper tolerances. The localiser provides guidance in lateral dimension on the lateral plain. Cooling is essential for this component,” he said.

He further said that with the new ILS in place, airplanes can land in zero visibility as long as they have corresponding equipment on-board their airplanes.

“What it means is that there would be all year flying in this place irrespective whether it is dust haze or early morning mist. I can guarantee you can do all year round flights in this place.

“The challenges in Port-Harcourt are different. In Port-Harcourt, every morning, it is very difficult to fly into Port-Harcourt Airport; that is why you find many airlines not going to Port-Harcourt before 8 am. Low clouds are there. The more sophisticated instrument landing systems you have, the easier it is for you to land.

“We have capability to land in zero condition; that is, you don’t see anything. If you are willing to pay for it not only in the equipment but the aircraft must properly be equipped; people have to be trained, power has to be regular at the airport,” Akinkuotu said.

Is the CEO and Founder of Investors King Limited. He is a seasoned foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and other prominent platforms. With over two decades of experience in global financial markets, Olukoya is well-recognized in the industry.

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NAFDAC Uncovers Fake Condoms in Four States, Issues Fresh Directives to Zonal Directors, State Coordinators

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued fresh directives to its Zonal Directors and State Coordinators after uncovering the unlawful sale and distribution of an unregistered condom brand named Foula Condoms in some states in Nigeria.

The agency made this known via a report from its officials in the Post-Marketing Surveillance directorate.

The officials identified Foula condoms which is packaged in sets of three, in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, and Zango, Katsina State.

This finding was part of a risk-based post-marketing surveillance study focused on registered condom products in Nigeria.

NAFDAC revealed that these unregistered products are not labelled in English and may have side effects.

The agency further warned Nigerians to desist from the use of unauthorized and unregistered condoms as they pose great health risk for users.

NAFDAC said, “The condom is not registered by NAFDAC for use in Nigeria, and the labelling of the product is not in the English Language.

“Condoms are a proven effective barrier method that can be used as a dual-purpose method for both prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
To be most effective, any barrier method used for contraception or preventing infection must be used correctly.”

“The purchase and use of poor-quality condoms will adversely affect every aspect of condom promotion for the prevention of unintended pregnancy and protection against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections. If condoms leak or break, they cannot offer adequate protection.

“All NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the unregistered products within the zones and states. Importers, distributors, retailers, healthcare professionals, and consumers are hereby advised to exercise caution and vigilance within the supply chain to avoid importing, distributing, selling, and using illegally distributed products. All medical products/ medical devices must be obtained from authorized/licensed suppliers.

The products’ authenticity and physical condition should be carefully checked. Healthcare professionals and consumers are advised to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, at 0800-162-3322 or via email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

“Similarly, healthcare professionals and patients are also encouraged to report adverse events or side effects related to the use of medicinal products or devices to the nearest NAFDAC office or through the use of the E-reporting platforms available on the NAFDAC website www.nafdac.gov.ng or via the Med- safety application available for download on android and IOS stores or via e-mail on pharmacovigilance@nafdac.gov.ng,” the agency stated.

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Company News

BUA Foods Revenue Surges 104%, Hits N1.07 Trillion Amidst Rising Costs

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BUA Foods Plc, one of the fastest-growing food companies in West Africa, grew revenue by 104% in the period ended September 30, 2024 to N1.070 trillion from N524.48 recorded in the same period in 2023.

The company’s cost of sales also inched higher to N736.975 billion, a 116% from N349.648 billion filed in the corresponding period of 2023 while gross profit rose by 82% to N333.820 billion.

BUA Foods spent 45% more on selling and distribution expenses at N29.319 billion in the period under review from N20.273 billion.

Also, more money was spent on administration as administrative expenses jumped 84% from N7.913 billion to N14.545 billion. During the period, the company spent N43.862 billion on operating expenses, representing a 56% increase from the N28.185 billion spent in 2023.

Still, the 104% increase in revenue bolstered operating profit by 101% to N315.126 billion from N156.883 billion in 2023.

Loss due to foreign exchange fluctuation dragged on the company’s profit before income tax in the first nine months of the year as N87.961 billion was lost due to Naira devaluation to contain profit before tax at N215.657 billion.

Profit after tax increased by 91% from N105.618 billion in 2023 to N201.389 billion.

Commenting on the results, Engr. (Dr.) Ayodele Abioye, the Managing Director, said “We are thrilled to have sustained a remarkable growth trajectory, underscoring the impact of our strategy, innovative product development, and steadfast commitment to quality, even in the face of a challenging business climate.

“Revenue grew by 104% to N1.07 Trillion compared to the same period last year, while our gross profit stands at N333.8 billion, reflecting a growth of 82%. We saw the benefits of our production capacity expansion and product innovation, as we witnessed an 11% growth in aggregate volume which has further strengthened our position within the industry.

“Looking ahead, we will remain steadfast in addressing current food supply challenges by leveraging newly commercialized supply chain assets across our business divisions. We would maintain focus on driving internal efficiencies for business growth towards delivering long-term shareholder value.

“We thank our stakeholders, particularly our customers, and consumers for their love for the brand even as we continue to nourish lives.”

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Company News

Dangote Urges NNPC, Marketers to Halt Petrol Imports and Source Locally from Lagos Refinery

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Aliko Dangote - Investors King

The founder and Chief Executive of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has urged the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and independent oil marketers in Nigeria to halt petrol imports and source the product from his Lagos refinery.

Dangote made this appeal on Tuesday at the State House, Abuja, while addressing Nigeria’s fuel scarcity issue after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

According to the business mogul, the country should not rely on petrol imports when his refinery has over 500 million litres in storage.

Investors King reported that oil dealers in Nigeria resumed importing petrol from abroad, claiming Dangote’s refinery could not meet demand. The marketers said they turned to foreign refiners to avert fuel shortages.

During the press briefing at the State House, however, Dangote emphasized that he should not be blamed for the scarcity or the long queues at petrol stations, as he is only a producer, not a retailer.

Dangote revealed that the NNPC’s reluctance to buy from his refinery costs him money daily.

He explained, “We are producers. I have a refinery. I’m not in the business of retail. If I were, then you could hold me responsible. But what I’m saying is that the retailers should please come forward and pick up the supply. If they don’t, what do you expect me to do? There is nothing I can do.”

“I expect either the NNPC or marketers to stop importing and collect the supply we have here. Keeping millions of litres in storage costs me daily,” Dangote added.

Fuel scarcity has plagued Nigeria since Bola Tinubu announced the end of the fuel subsidy upon assuming office. Despite the establishment of Dangote Refinery in Lagos, Nigerians hoped that petrol scarcity would soon be a thing of the past. While the refinery promised 650,000 barrels per day, the problem persists with no end in sight.

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