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“Ethiopia Airlines has no Higher Fares for Enugu Passengers”

Published

6 years ago

May 3, 2019

“Ethiopia Airlines has no Higher Fares for Enugu Passengers”

Africa’s most profitable carrier, Ethiopia Airline, has said it does not charge higher fares from the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, than from the other airports it is operating from in Nigeria.

The airline, which is the only international carrier that operates from the South-east airport to connect to other destinations in the world, said it does not discriminate against the passengers that travel from the zone through the Enugu airport.

Travel expert, Ikechi Uko, who is close to the airline, made this known on his Facebook account and explained that Ethiopia Airlines flagged off flight operations from the Coal City in August 2013 and has maintained its service there despite the undulating economic situation that has affected passenger traffic from the route.

Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, on his twitter handle wondered why the cost of airfares from Enugu to China is higher than from Lagos to China and demanded for explanation.

Reacting to his observation, many Nigerians from the South- east who travel frequently from Enugu with the airline said fares from the route are not always higher, noting that everything depends on when a passenger bought his ticket and the season.

The travellers noted that the allegation always comes up in seasons when the fare from Enugu rises beyond that of Lagos, remarking that this has been addressed in the past.

Uko also said, “Ethiopian Airlines cannot discriminate against the passengers they expect to fill their planes from Enugu. Ethiopian Airlines is the only international airline that flies from Enugu. Since the opening of the airport to international flights, it has maintained a consistent service to the city even when there were not much passengers on the route.

“In 2017, the Airline embarked on a roadshow to all the states in the South-east in order to shore up the passenger volume from Enugu. During the visit to the markets, kings and governors in the South-east, the airline pledged to provide world class services to the people. The leaders also promised to support Ethiopian Airlines in its operations in the region,” he said.

Uko who is also the organizer of Akwaaba African Travel Market, remarked that the people of South-east have so far supported Ethiopian Airlines as was promised and the airline has also kept their part of the bargain.

“So it will not be in the interests of the airline to discriminate against the same people it has sacrificed so much to serve. The price differences between Lagos and Enugu can be explained by reason of load factor. Aircraft type and yield and has nothing to do with distance flown and political reasons. Ethiopian Airlines chose to fly to Enugu and sustained the flight even during rough patches.

“Ethiopian Airlines stopped flying to Kaduna since October 2018 when the route became unsustainable. So the comparison with Kaduna Airport is incorrect. As a responsible airline that cherishes the feedback from its passengers the management will address the issues raised and respond appropriately. The airline appreciates the interest this has generated. It is evidence of the love the South-east people have for the airline and the airline appreciates this love and feels mutually involved with the people too,” he observed.

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Samed Olukoya

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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Energy

How Nigeria’s National Power Grid Collapsed Ten Times Within 9 Months

Published

7 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Ugwoke Ogbodo

The national power grid has again collapsed, leaving many Nigerians in total darkness.

Investors King can authoritatively report that this is the tenth time the power grid will be disrupted this year alone.

For this recent collapse, the grid, reportedly lost power generation around 1:39 pm on Tuesday.

Information revealed that power generation was 2,711 megawatts as of 1:00 pm, having previously peaked at 3,631 MW.

Earlier, power generation peaked at 3,934.77 MW around six o’clock in the morning.

However, between 2 pm and 3 pm, hourly generation dropped to 0.00 MW.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria confirmed that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm on Tuesday, 5th November 2024.

TCN spokesperson Ndidi Mbah mentioned that the recent collapse was due to a series of line and generator trippings that caused instability in the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.

Mbah pointed out that data from the National Control Centre revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

TCN however indicated that work work is in progress to restore power.

She explained that engineers are already working to quickly restore bulk power supply to the states affected by the “partial disturbance.”

Mbah noted that presently, bulk power supply has been restored to Abuja at 2:49 pm, maintaining that “we are gradually restoring it to other parts of the country.”

She apologized to Nigerians for whatever inconvenience the collapse might have caused.

Findings by Investors King revealed that the grid had collapsed at ten different times between March and November, this year.

Times the grid collapsed included February 4, March 28, April 15, July 16, two times in August 5, October 14, October 15, twice in October 19 and now today, November 5.

Energy

Darkness Falls Again: TCN Explains Latest National Grid Collapse

Published

7 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Bassey Marshall

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has provided an explanation for the latest National Grid collapse, which occurred on Tuesday, November 5.

Tuesday’s collapse, marking the 10th in 2024 alone, left Nigerians in total darkness.

Recall that the National Grid collapsed twice in October, sparking concerns among Nigerians.

Reacting to the latest collapse via a statement on Tuesday, the General Manager of TCN Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed that the collapse happened at 1:52 pm.

The GM revealed that the grid collapse was caused by line and generator trippings.

Mrs. Mbah said, “TCN states that the national grid experienced a partial disturbance at about 1:52 pm today, 5th November 2024.

“This followed a series of line and generator trippings that caused instability in the grid and, consequently, the partial disturbance of the system.

Data from the National Control Centre (NCC) revealed that a part of the grid was not affected by the bulk power disruption.

Mbah disclosed that operators are working to restore power in affected states, adding that power was restored in Abuja.

She explained, “TCN engineers are already working to quickly restore bulk power supply to the states affected by the partial disturbance. Presently, bulk power supply has been restored to Abuja at 2:49 pm, and we are gradually restoring power to other parts of the country.”

Apologizing to Nigerians, TCN said, “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause our electricity customers.”

Investors King, in an earlier report, revealed that in an attempt to address the persistent collapse of the national grid, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced that discussions were underway with Independent Operators to take over the management of the grid.

Energy

Nigeria Partners with ECOWAS and Morocco to Launch $26B African Gas Pipeline

Published

15 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Bassey Marshall

The Nigerian government, in partnership with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Morocco, and Mauritania, has announced plans to advance the $26 billion African Atlantic Gas Pipeline project to drive economic growth across Africa.

This development was revealed on Monday, November 5, by Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), at the ECOWAS Inter-Ministerial Meeting on the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project.

Speaking at the meeting, which was attended by ECOWAS Ministers of Hydrocarbons and Energy as well as representatives from Morocco and Mauritania, Kyari stated that, once completed, the project will connect 13 African countries.

Represented by Olalekan Ogunleye, NNPC’s Executive Vice President for Gas Power & New Energy, Kyari said this will be Africa’s largest pipeline project.

Ogunleye confirmed that progress has been made with the front-end engineering design completed, the phase two study finalized, and work ongoing for environmental and social impact assessments as well as land acquisition and resettlement.

He emphasized NNPC’s readiness to execute the project: “Today, we come together to make significant progress in the African Atlantic gas pipeline project, which is a transformative initiative connecting at least 13 African nations in shared prosperity and development. These achievements underscore our capability to deliver this landmark project, supported by strong regional collaboration.”

Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), described the project as a game-changer for the regional economy, stating, “We stand at a critical juncture where these agreements can reshape our energy landscape, strengthen our economies, and uplift our people.”

He also highlighted that the project will increase Africa’s presence in the global gas market, noting that “the agreements demonstrate a strong commitment to advancing hydrocarbon and energy trade across ECOWAS, enhancing access to natural gas in West Africa, and expanding Africa’s global footprint in the gas market.”