Featured

Panic As Tanker Catches Fire in Ecobank’s Premises

Published

6 years ago

August 1, 2018

Eric

There was pandemonium on Tuesday when fire broke out on the premises of Ecobank’s headquarters on Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.

The fire occurred around 8.50am when a tanker laden with about 33,000 litres of diesel caught fire while delivering the fuel at the bank.

Our correspondent learnt that the fire burnt the diesel-laden tanker, a transformer and a generator placed around the bank’s fuel dump on the premises.

It was gathered that relevant emergency agencies of both Lagos State and the Federal Government responded to the incident.

They include the Lagos State Fire Service, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Fire Service, UBA Fire Service, Julius Berger Fire Service and NNPC Fire Service.

Eyewitnesses said the responders were instrumental in putting out the fire.

The Acting Director, Lagos State Fire Service, Mr Musbau Rasaqi, told our correspondent that four fire service stations were deployed to the scene to fight the fire.

He said, “We got a call around 8.55am at our control room at Alausa that there was fire at Ecobank. Immediately, we mobilised four fire service stations to the scene of the fire.

“Lekki Phase One Fire Service Station got there around 9.01am, Sari Iganmu Fire Service Station got there around 9.04am; followed by Alausa and Ilupeju fire service stations.

“The tanker that caught fire was on Ecobank’s premises, at the fuel dump area where we have their transformer, generator and the diesel tanker. The tanker, the transformer and the generator of the bank got burnt.

“There was no loss of life as members of staff of Ecobank left the bank’s premises to a safe place.

The Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Adesina Tiamiyu, also said the cause of the fire had yet to be ascertained, adding that the main structure of the bank was not affected.

He said, “The immediate cause of the fire has yet to be ascertained. However, investigation is being conducted to ascertain the actual cause of the fire. Emergency responders that were on the ground prevented the fire from escalating to adjoining building.”

The Managing Director, Ecobank, Charles Kie, on Tuesday in a statement by the Head of Brand and Communication, Ecobank, Tope Akinbola, commended the efforts of the emergency responders that came to the bank’s aid.

Kie said, “We commend the fire service personnel for their diligence, expertise and bravery in dealing with this incident. We sincerely thank Fidelity Bank Plc, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Julius Berger Nigeria and NAPIMS for providing the much needed support and we also express our sincere appreciation to the general public and all well-wishers.”

Akinbola added that the bank’s data centre was not affected as the government firefighting agencies arrived early to put out the fire.

He said, “Ecobank’s Data Centre was unaffected, and business at the head office rapidly returned to normal. Ecobank assures everyone that the bank’s building and all its other facilities are unaffected. Ecobank successfully triggered its business continuity plan and normal banking activities have continued.”

The Punch

Featured

Tinubu Approves Credit Scheme Takeoff to Facilitate Purchase of Cars, Houses

Published

1 hour ago

April 25, 2024

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has approved the takeoff of the first phase of the Consumer Credit Scheme to facilitate the purchase of houses and cars by working Nigerians.

In a statement on Wednesday, presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale said the Consumer Credit Scheme will enhance the quality of life citizens by allowing them to “access goods and services upfront, paying responsibly over time”.

“It facilitates crucial purchases, such as homes, vehicles, education, and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability to pursue their aspirations,” the statement added.

“Through responsible repayment, individuals build credit histories, unlocking more opportunities for a better life. Additionally, the increased demand for goods and services stimulates local industry and job creation.

“The President believes every hardworking Nigerian should have access to social mobility, with consumer credit playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision.”

In line with the President’s directive to expand consumer credit access to Nigerians, the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has launched a portal for Nigerians to express interest in receiving consumer credit.

“This initiative, in collaboration with financial institutions and cooperatives nationwide, aims to broaden consumer credit availability,” the statement noted, adding that working Nigerians interested in receiving consumer credit can visit CREDICORP’s website to express interest before the deadline date of May 15, 2024.

“The scheme will be rolled out in phases, starting with members of the civil service and cascading to members of the public.”

The CREDICORP’s objectives include: “(1) Strengthening Nigeria’s credit reporting systems, ensuring every economically active citizen has a dependable credit score. This score becomes personal equity they build, facilitating access to consumer credit.

“(2) Offering credit guarantees and wholesale lending to financial institutions dedicated to broadening consumer credit access today.

“(3) Promoting responsible consumer credit as a pathway to an improved quality of life, fostering a cultural shift towards growth and financial responsibility.”

Featured

Again, DStv, Gotv Jack Up Subscription Rates

Published

13 hours ago

April 24, 2024

Eric

Broadcasting company Multichoice has jacked up the prices of its offerings in Nigeria four months after its last increment.

The company reviewed prices in its packages across the board. The new prices will take effect from May 1, 2024.

With the latest price hike, the DStv Premium package increased from N29,500 to N37,000. Similarly, the DStv Compact+ went up from N19,800 to N25,000 while the Compact package increased from N12,500 to N15,700.

The Comfam package moved from N7,400 to N9,300. Yanga package moved up from 4,200 to N5,100 while Padi package increased from N2,950 to N3,600. HDPVR was increased from N4,000 to N5,000, the Access Fees package from N4,000 to N5,000, and XtraView moved from N4,000 to N5,000.

Meanwhile, the Gotv Supa+ package moved from N12,500 to N15,700, Supa package from N7,600 to N9,600, and Max package from N5,700 to N7,200.

While the Jolli package was jacked up from N3,950 to N4,850, the Jinja package moved from N2,700 to N3,300, and Smallie package from N1,300 to N1,575.

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It will be recalled that the company implemented an upward review of prices in December 2023, days after announcing a $72m loss in its financial statement for the third quarter of the year.

Checks on the company’s reviewed price list then showed a 20 per cent per cent hike in the company’s packages across the board.

Featured

I’ll Resign If Yaya Bello Eacapes Prosecution, EFCC Chair Vows

Published

1 day ago

April 23, 2024

Eric

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ola Olukoyede, has sworn to follow the prosecution of the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to a logical conclusion.

In a chat with journalists at the EFCC Headquarters in the Jabi area of Abuja on Tuesday, the anti-graft crusader vowed to resign as EFCC chairman if Bello is not prosecuted.

He added that all those who obstructed the arrest of the former governor would be brought to justice.

The EFCC is seeking to arraign Bello on 19 counts bordering on alleged money laundering, breach of trust and misappropriation of funds to the tune of N80.2 billion.

He said that no matter what anyone does or the amount of attack against the anti-graft agency, he and his men will not relent in helping to sanitise the country.

Olukoyede said the EFCC needs the support of Nigerians to succeed, emphasizing that if the agency fails, Nigeria fails. He stated that the efforts made currently have helped the value of the Naira and the foreign market.