By Nathan Nwakamma

The Bayelsa Government says the construction of the ongoing Nembe-Brass Road is to harness the potentials in the deep sea oil fields for economic prosperity.

Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), stated this on Friday at the Bayelsa Media Summit with the theme: Media, Culture and Identity, Promoting Indigenous Perspectives.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ayawei spoke on the topic: Setting a Media Agenda for Assured Prosperity.

The SSG said that in spite of the enormous maritime potentials of Bayelsa, including over 200 kilometres coastline, the state was yet to have them translated into economic benefits for the people of the state.

According to him, the lack of access road to Brass Oil Export Terminal had deprived the state of enormous economic benefits, including Pay as You Earn taxes by oil workers at the Brass Terminal.

He explained that lack of infrastructure had compelled oil services companies to operate from neighbouring Rivers and Delta States.

The SSG noted that the state was poised to exploit the comparative advantage of proximity to offshore oil fields by creating the conducive environment for oil and gas related businesses to thrive.

He explained that the geographical location of Bayelsa places the state in proximity to offshore oilfields like Bonga and Egina Fields.

Ayawei said that the state was aggressively pursuing the road project to harness economic potentials of the blue economy and the offshore oilfields.

“We are deliberately working to hit the Atlantic Ocean by road to unlock the benefits of the Atlantic from Brass.

“Currently, the oilfields are serviced from either Port Harcourt or Osubi Airports for air logistics.

“For marine services, typical vessels destined for the oilfields take between three hours and seven hours from either Warri or Port Harcourt but from Brass in Bayelsa it takes between one and half hours to get to the oilfields.

“It makes a lot of sense, therefore, to connect Brass by road to unlock the maritime potentials and this explains why Bayelsa created the Ministry of Blue Economy,” he said.

He commended President Bola Tinubu-led administration for collaborating with Bayelsa Government in funding the second phase of the Nembe-Brass Road.

NAN reports that the Media Summit, put together by the Bayelsa Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, attracted over 400 media practitioners.

The summit featured lectures and panel session on contemporary issues in media practice in Bayelsa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joe Idika

By Usman Aliyu

In a bid to further boost small businesses, the Edo Government has partnered with the Bank of Industry (BOI) and LAPO Microfinance Bank to expand access to credit facilities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Mr Amen Odigie, Managing Director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO), disclosed this on Friday at a crucial information session in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government of the state.

He said the partnership aligned with Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s vision on renewed support for grassroots economic development.

According to him, the initiative is meant to unlock growth for local entrepreneurs across the state.

He also shared other loan opportunities, including the new N75 billion Federal Government MSME intervention fund.

“We are not just waiting for interventions to come to us. We’re actively going out to seek them.

“His Excellency has mandated us to find more financing channels for businesses, and this collaboration with BOI and LAPO is one way we’re delivering on that,” Odigie said.

Mr Joseph Edom, state Manager of BOI, took the participants through the N75bn loan programme, highlighting loan ranges of N1–N5 million with friendly interest rates.

“This fund is here to support business growth. All we ask is that applicants come prepared, with their documents and business properly registered,” Edom said.

Similarly, Ms Sofia Oke, LAPO Microfinance Bank’s Mega Branch Manager, explained the bank’s MSME-tailored products, stressing support for small traders often excluded from conventional banking services.

“We are here for the market women, the artisans, and the micro businesses.

“With the right records and discipline, anyone can grow their business with our support,” she said.

The session also addressed common credit access barriers such as lack of collateral, poor documentation, and business informality.

Participants were urged to register with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and maintain good credit history to improve their chances of accessing loans.

In a goodwill message, Secretary to the Esan Central Local Government, Pastor Eromosele Davies Oigbochie, who represented the council chairman, reaffirmed the local government’s support for MSME-focused initiatives.

“This is how we build a resilient local economy by empowering our small businesses,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Editted by Abdulfatai Beki/Joe Idika