Travel

FG Reveals When Abuja-Kaduna Train Route Will Commence Operations

Published

2 weeks ago

August 4, 2022

The Federal Government revealed that the Abuja-Kaduna train route will fully commence operations when it has launched the relevant surveillance technology for the trains.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Transport, Mu’azu Sambo during a visit to the Idu and Kubwa train stations on Tuesday in Abuja, according to NAN.

The Nigerian Government had earlier revealed its agenda to execute surveillance technology on the trains to avoid further attacks, since the March 28 terrorist attack on the route.

The Minister expressed optimism that the abducted train passengers would be reunited with their families soon, citing that important steps are expected to be carried out to ensure the safety of the passengers.

He said, ”First and foremost, it is very essential to get those Nigerians that were abducted reunited with their families, otherwise it will be perceived as if government is not sensitive.

”Whereas government is not only sensitive, but the government is doing all it can to make sure that those affected by this tragic incident are reunited with their families.

”Secondly, adequate security and infrastructure must be put in place to safeguard and avoid all forms of threats that are possible and leave what you cannot do to God.”

He affirmed that the FG is trying to deploy the best technology available anywhere in the world which has performed very well in other jurisdictions. He added that the FG was processing to obtain explosion detectors that would detect and terminate threats on the track.

The following Should be Brought to Notice:

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) suspended train operations on Abuja-Kaduna route after the terror attack on March 28.
In March, the FG announced plans to toughen security in its railway infrastructure, disclosing that it will enforce an integrated surveillance system in the Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan and Warri-Itakpe railway systems.
Investors King reported on the 19 May, 2022 that, “The government wishes to assure the relatives of the abducted citizens still in captivity that the safe rescue of these passengers is a top priority and not to misconstrue the resumption of train services, like abandonment or nonchalant attitude of the government towards their plight over 60 people remain kidnapped.“

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Emirates Airlines to Suspend Operations in Nigeria from September

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South Africa Visa Application Centres Resume Services in Two Cities for the Convenience of Nigerian Nationals

Odunayo Sikiru

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Travel

Emirates Airlines to Suspend Operations in Nigeria from September

Emirates Airlines has announced the suspension of flight operations in Nigeria, starting from September 1, 2022.

Published

13 seconds ago

August 18, 2022

Samed Olukoya

Following its inability to repatriate funds from Nigeria due to persistent foreign exchange scarcity, Emirates Airlines has announced the suspension of flight operations in Nigeria, starting from September 1, 2022.

According to the airline, the suspension became necessary after all efforts to repatriate realised revenue from Nigeria failed despite a series of complaints.

It said this concern has been raised on many occasions with officials of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, as well as those at the finance ministry.

International airlines operating in Nigeria have struggled to repatriate revenue due to CBN’s failure to make dollars available for airlines looking to repatriate revenue to their home country. Presently, foreign airlines are looking to repatriate about $600 million in blocked funds.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to our customers, however, the circumstances are beyond our control at this stage. We will be working to help impacted customers make alternative travel arrangements wherever possible.”

It, however, noted that should there be any positive developments in the coming days regarding Emirates’ blocked funds in Nigeria, the airline would, of course, re-evaluate its decision.

“We remain keen to serve Nigeria, and our operations provide much-needed connectivity for Nigerian travellers, providing access to trade and tourism opportunities to Dubai, and to our broader network of over 130 destinations,” the global carrier stated.

Travel

South Africa Visa Application Centres Resume Services in Two Cities for the Convenience of Nigerian Nationals

Effective 13 July 2022, our South Africa Visa Application Centres in Lagos and Port Harcourt have resumed operations for the convenience of Nigerian nationals residing in these locations.

Published

3 weeks ago

July 29, 2022

Samed Olukoya

Effective 13 July 2022, our South Africa Visa Application Centres in Lagos and Port Harcourt have resumed operations for the convenience of Nigerian nationals residing in these locations. Applicants can now visit our South Africa Visa Application Centres in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt for all visa categories at the following operational timings (except all public holidays):

Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 3 PM.

South Africa is a key destination for Nigerian nationals for business, holidays, visiting friends and relatives, education and medical care. To book their appointments based on their purpose of visit to South Africa at a Centre closer to their location, applicants can visit our website (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/zaf), call our helpdesk at 08150188800 or email us at info.zang@vfshelpline.com for any assistance.

Mr. Hariprasad Viswanathan, Head- Sub-Saharan Africa for VFS Global, noted, “Our South Africa Visa Application Centres in Lagos and Port Harcourt are now fully operational effective 13 July 2022 for all Nigerian nationals seeking a visa to South Africa. Please adhere to the precautionary measures established at our Centres for their safety and that our of employees. Applicants who wish to avoid visiting public places can also use optional services, such as courier service for passport pass-back, so they do not have to visit the Visa Application Centre twice.”

Some key features (optional for greater convenience) at the centres for added comfort and convenience to enhance the overall experience of applicants include:

Premium Lounge facility for more personalised service at the Visa Application Centre
24/7 Customer support through our call centre, email communication
Courier service facility for delivery of passport to your doorstep
Photocopy services for submitting high-quality copies of your key documents
SMS service facility to track your application

VFS Global has a long-standing relationship with the Republic of South Africa since 2010. Currently, we service the Department of Home Affairs through a network of 45 Visa Application Centres in 18 countries.

South Africa Visa Application Centre Address in Abuja: Sterling Bank Plaza, 3rd Floor, Plot 1083 Mohammadu Buhari Way, Central Business District, Abuja, Nigeria Address in Lagos: Plot 110, Admiral Ayinla Way, Opposite Treasure Garden Estate, Third Roundabout, Lekki Phase I, Lagos, Nigeria Address in Port Harcourt: Vineyard Shopping Centre, 88 Woji Road, GRA, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Helpline: 08150188800 | Email id: info.zang@vfshelpline.com Website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/nga/en/zaf Business hours: 0800 hrs to 1500 hrs (Monday to Friday, except scheduled holidays)

*VFS Global will be responsible only for accepting applications for client missions. All applications submitted will continue to be assessed and processed by the respective client missions. Timelines for turnaround are as per the discretion of the authorities

Travel

Travel Demand Rises by 135% in Africa in May

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said African airlines recorded a 134.9% increase in Revenue Passenger Kilometres in May 2022.

Published

1 month ago

July 11, 2022

Samed Olukoya

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said African airlines recorded a 134.9% increase in Revenue Passenger Kilometres in May 2022.

Revenue Passenger Kilometres is a measure of passenger demand in a given market.

According to IATA’s latest report, African airlines recorded a 16.4% increase in the average load factor per flight to 68.4% and capacity grew by 78.5% in the month of May. However, the report also noted that this was the lowest among regions surveyed.

In the month under review, African airlines carried 1.9% of the total world passenger air travel market.

Willie Walsh, director-general, IATA, said, “The travel recovery continues to gather momentum. People need to travel. And when governments remove COVID-19 restrictions, they do. Many major international route areas – including within Europe, and the Middle East-North America routes – are already exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels.

“Completely removing all COVID-19 restrictions is the way forward, with Australia being the latest to do so this week. The major exception to the optimism of this rebound in travel is China, which saw a dramatic 73.2 per cent fall in domestic travel compared to the previous year. Its continuing zero-COVID policy is out-of-step with the rest of the world and it shows in the dramatically slower recovery of China-related travel.”