Tourism-Travel-Leisure News Undiluted
Vol.1 Issue 3, October 2011
www.traveltimesonline.com
N500
UK-CAA Okays Nigeria’s Peacock Travels For ATOL Operations
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R-L: Richard Mofe Damijo, Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chief Abel Ubeku, Gov. Liyel Imoke, Deputy Gov. Prof. Amos Utuama, Officials of Sarner International at the official unveiling of Delta Leisure Resort Model in Asaba.
Delta’s $250m Leisure Parks: The Controversies, The Facts By Lucky Onoriode George
A
t an elaborate ceremony just few months ago, Delta State Government announced a $250 million partnership deal with Sarner PFM, a local company with international affiliation, to build resorts at Oleri village opposite Delta Steel Company, Ovwian –Aladja and a Wildlife Park at Ogwashi-Uku respectively. However, just few months into the project, there are already allegations and counterallegations, bordering on the viability, genuineness and capability of the partner to fund and execute a project of such magnitude. Weeks ago, an online site, www.shout-africa.com, published what it called a thoroughly investigated story that it has confirmed from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja, and Trade Mark office that Sarner PFM was not registered in Nigeria. The website claimed investigations also showed that Sarner PFM does not exist in the CAC system either as a business or limited company dully registered in the country. In fact, the site went further to say that
availability report with serial number 4025832 and approved by Femi Ogunlade, a CAC official, noted that Sarner PFM does not exist in Nigeria and is available for registration till September 12, 2011. According to it, “The CAC is pleased to inform you that one of your requested names has been approved and will be reserved for 60 days,” the availability report stated. Further investigations at the office of Trade mark, Abuja, also showed that Sarner PFM is not a registered trademark in the country either. It was revealed that Sarner UK goes by the name Sarner but its Nigerian operation is named Sarner PFM. Earlier on its website, www.sarner.com, Sarner claims that its African Office, Sarner PFM is located at 12 Oturkpo Street, Off Onitsha Street, Gimbyia Street, Area 11 District, Abuja; that it has now been relocated to the present office in Delta State. By this revelation, Sarner PFM was said to have contravened the provision of Nigeria’s Companies and Allied Matters Act [CAMA] of 1990 on foreign companies. The provision prohibits foreign concerns that are not locally incorporated from doing
business in the country. “Every foreign company which before or after the commencement of this Decree was incorporated outside Nigeria, and having the intention of carrying on business in Nigeria shall take all steps necessary to obtain incorporation as a separate entity in Nigeria for that purpose, but until so incorporated, the foreign company shall not carry on business in Nigeria or exercise any of the powers of a registered company and shall not have a place of business or an address for service of documents or processes in Nigeria for any purpose other than the receipt of notices and other documents, as matters preliminary to incorporation under this Decree. Any act of the company in contravention of subsection (1) of this section shall be void,” the CAMA states. However, during Travel Times visit to the purported office at the address mentioned above, the occupant of the residential house who identified herself as the younger sister of the managing director of Sarner PFM, Princess Abiodun Oyefusi, owner of the project welcomed Travel Times team in. When Travel Times pressed her for inforContinues on page 9
We Must Create Adventure, Romance, And Excitement For Cross River Tourism – Williams
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Obudu Mountain Resort: Nigerian Tourism Eldorado
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