Akwa Ibom to Certify 5000 Tourism Firms
Akwa Ibom state government has identified 5,000 tourism companies to be issued with certificates to authenticate their businesses in the state tourism sector.
The state government has also opened Tourism Information Desk at the state Ibom Airport to guide tourists coming to the state
The Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Hotels and Management Board, Obong Ini Akpabio disclosed this while unveiling the Ibom Airport Tourism Information Desk.
According to him, the authentication of the 5,000 tourism firms operating in the state would help check security breach.
He explained that the Tourism Information Desk at the airport would give the needed information to all travelers and tourists coming to the state.
“The Desk is to provide much needed information to all travelers and tourists into our state who require knowledge of hotels, restaurants, bars, supermarkets and entertainment centres that are safe for them to patronize.
“In addition, we intend to promote to visitors our tourism sites like Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, the 21 Storey Smart Building, the Ibom Golf course and when completed the International Worship centre in addition to our Heritage Sites, “he stressed
Akpabio explained that provision of the Tourism Information Desk at Ibom Airport necessitated the certification and documentation of tourism premises to assist government identify any security breach.
He listed crimes associated with tourism businesses to include robbery, drug abuse , human trafficking in persons among others saying documentation will help security agencies to rise to occasion. Read more
‘New Airport Terminals Working’
Three out of the five new international airport terminals built with a $500 million loan secured from China Import Export Bank are working optimally, investigations have shown.
The deal was signed in 2013 and scheduled for completion two years later. The terminals in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt were inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari from where foreign carriers have been operating.
But, the terminals in Enugu and Lagos, which though completed, are yet to process flights, investigations show.
Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Rabiu Yadudu, had given two previous dates: last December and February, this year for the inauguration of the new Lagos Airport Terminal.
While the facility in Enugu would open for international flights this Friday, with Ethiopian Airlines restarting operations to connect its capital Addis Ababa in the Horn of Africa to other parts of the globe; the terminal in Lagos is expected to be open before the end of the year.
A source at the terminal said though the complex had been completed with fittings and other facilities installed, flights processing at the terminal might have to wait for a longer time pending the construction and linking of the bridge connecting the new airport with the 40-year-old facility.
When The Nation visited the site at the weekend, workers of China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) were carrying out skeletal work at the sprawling complex. One of the workers said the firm had not abandoned the facility, but that they were working based on the template given for them.
He said denied that the company had abandoned the complex.
In an interview, General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu confirmed that the terminals had been completed and were running optimally. Read more
OneWorld Supports Global Ambition Statements for 10% SAF by 2030
The oneworld® Alliance, which consists of 14 global airlines, said it is backing the World Economic Forum Clean Skies for Tomorrow Coalition’s 10% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) target by 2030 ambition.
oneworld, which earlier committed to net zero emissions by 2050 said it is proud to be among the 60 signatories that have backed the coalition’s ambition statement.
“The alliance and its member airlines are strongly committed to playing an active role in the global pathway for SAF technologies to reach 10% of global aviation fuel supply by 2030,” it said in a statement.
oneworld’s support of the coalition’s ambition statement comes shortly after the global alliance unveiled its initial carbon roadmap charting the path to its net zero emissions target.
SAF technologies, as the most feasible option to reduce aviation emissions in the near term, will be a key contributor in the alliance’s journey to be more sustainable. Advancing the use of SAF recognized by ICAO-approved schemes will be a focus for the alliance, which is committed to be an advocate of industry action to decarbonize aviation.
“Together with its member airlines, oneworld stands ready to collaborate with stakeholders to expand and promote the use of SAF and is calling for the implementation of policy settings to incentivize and grow SAF production,” the alliance said, adding that targeted investments, support mechanisms, financial grants and regulations have the potential of enabling the industry’s transition to SAF.
oneworld Governing Board Chairman and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive H.E. Akbar Al Baker, for his part noted: “As the leading airline alliance at the forefront of environmental sustainability, oneworld is proud to support the World Economic Forum in its ambition statement for sustainable aviation fuel. We are committed to working with our partners to play a role in this important journey and call on all stakeholders for their active support towards the usage of SAF that is available at commercial scale, affordable and certified under the schemes recognized by ICAO and other relevant authorities.”
oneworld CEO Rob Gurney added: “Expanding the use of SAF will be crucial in decarbonising aviation in the near term but we recognise no airline can do it alone. We believe that our support of the coalition’s statement will create further momentum for the industry’s efforts in sustainability and hope it will galvanise others to take action.”
Source: ThisDay Online; The Nation; Asia Cargo News