Government must enforce stricter safety regulations for tanker operators, argues Elvis Eromosele In Nigeria, tankers carrying petroleum products are a common sight on the nation’s highways. These massive vehicles, often loaded with flammable and hazardous liquids, are an integral part of the country’s transportation system, facilitating the movement of crucial fuel supplies across the nation. However, the increasing number of tanker accidents, many resulting in devastating fires and environmental disasters, has raised serious concerns about road safety. One of the primary factors contributing to the frequency of tanker accidents in Nigeria is the state of the country’s roads. While urban areas like Lagos and Abuja have relatively better road networks, the majority of Nigeria’s highways, especially those in rural and semi-urban areas, are poorly maintained. Potholes, lack of proper drainage, and uneven surfaces create hazardous conditions for all vehicles on the road, but for tankers carrying volatile materials, the risk is exponentially higher. The weight of these tankers, combined with their unstable cargo, makes them particularly vulnerable to accidents on uneven roads. This is likely why spills, fires, and explosions are becoming tragically common on Nigerian highways. The frequency of these accidents has become a serious concern for the public and emergency services alike. In many cases, these spills are not limited to small quantities of fuel—they often involve large amounts, turning the accident sites into disaster zones. One of the greatest risks associated with tanker accidents is fire. Petrol and diesel are highly flammable substances, and when they spill, even the smallest spark can set off a catastrophic blaze. Tanker accidents frequently lead to massive fires that engulf entire vehicles, block roads for hours, and sometimes claim the lives of not only the truck driver but also passersby or those trying to scoop free fuel. The fires are also a huge strain on Nigeria’s already overstretched emergency services, which are often ill-equipped to handle such large-scale incidents. A significant factor contributing to the risk posed by tankers is the lack of effective safety measures and regulations. Although there are laws and safety guidelines in place, they are not always enforced, and the implementation of regulations remains lax. Tankers are often seen speeding, overtaking recklessly, and driving without the necessary safety equipment or proper inspection. Furthermore, many of these tankers are old and poorly maintained. Some vehicles are known to be overburdened or improperly loaded, which increases their likelihood of toppling over or spilling their contents in the event of an accident. The absence of a uniform safety standard for tanker operators further intensifies the danger on Nigerian roads. Installing automatic fire suppression systems is one of the most effective ways to reduce the fire risk in tanker accidents. These systems are designed to detect and extinguish fires as soon as they start, reducing the likelihood of a small flame growing into a massive inferno. By installing such systems on all tankers, the chances of a fire spreading out of control could be greatly reduced. In many countries, fire suppression technology is mandatory for vehicles carrying hazardous materials. It is not yet a widespread practice in Nigeria. The introduction of automatic fire suppression systems would not only improve the safety of tanker operations but also provide peace of mind to the public, knowing that there are mechanisms in place to prevent disasters. In addition, the installation of spill containment systems is essential. These systems should be installed in tankers to quickly contain any fuel spills, preventing them from spreading across large areas and mitigating potential environmental damage. Also, proper loading and unloading mechanisms are crucial. Tankers must be equipped with secure systems to prevent leaks or spills during transportation, ensuring safe handling of hazardous materials. Besides, advanced warning systems should be integrated into tankers. These systems are designed to alert nearby vehicles and pedestrians during an impending accident or hazard, enhancing overall road safety. Moreover, driver training and certification are vital. Drivers must undergo rigorous training in handling hazardous materials, defensive driving techniques, and emergency response protocols. Only certified drivers should be permitted to operate fuel tankers. Furthermore, regular inspection and maintenance are non-negotiable. Tankers should undergo frequent safety checks to ensure they are in optimal working condition. Any mechanical issues should be promptly addressed to avoid operational failures and ensure continued safety. The current state of tanker operations in Nigeria often resembles a ticking time bomb. The combination of poorly maintained roads, outdated vehicles, inadequate safety equipment, and a lack of effective regulations creates the perfect storm for disastrous tanker accidents. In many ways, the tanker is like a “Molotov cocktail on wheels,” a disaster waiting to happen. Urgent reforms are needed to mitigate this risk. The Nigerian government must enforce stricter safety regulations for tanker operators, including mandatory fire protection systems and regular vehicle inspections. This is a good time to start. Eromosele, a corporate communication professional writes via: elviseroms@gmail.com
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Josh Reynolds Waived by Broncos After Injured Reserve Practice Window EndsANDOVER, Mass. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- TransMedics Group, Inc. ("TransMedics") (Nasdaq: TMDX), a medical technology company that is transforming organ transplant therapy for patients with end-stage lung, heart, and liver failure, today announced that on December 9, 2024 , TransMedics granted non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 20,612 shares of its common stock and an aggregate of 13,576 restricted stock units to 3 employees, each as a material inducement for each employee's entry into employment with TransMedics. The grants included stock options to purchase 18,922 shares of TransMedics' common stock and 12,463 restricted stock units granted to Gerardo Hernandez , the Company's Chief Financial Officer. The grants were approved by the Compensation Committee of the TransMedics Board of Directors and were granted in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4) and pursuant to the TransMedics Group, Inc. Inducement Plan. TransMedics granted non-qualified stock options to purchase 20,612 shares of TransMedics' common stock and 13,576 restricted stock units in the aggregate. The stock options were granted with a per share exercise price of $69.84 , the closing price of the common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market on December 9, 2024 . Twenty-five percent of the shares subject to each option will vest on the first yearly anniversary of the date of the employee's start of employment, with the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments over the subsequent three year period, subject to the employee's continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting date. The options have a 10-year term and are subject to the terms of the TransMedics Group, Inc. Inducement Plan. Twenty-five percent of each restricted stock unit award will vest on the first four anniversaries of the date of the employee's start of employment, subject to the employee's continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting date. The restricted stock units are subject to the terms of the TransMedics Group, Inc. Inducement Plan. About TransMedics Group, Inc. TransMedics is the world's leader in portable extracorporeal warm perfusion and assessment of donor organs for transplantation. Headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts , the company was founded to address the unmet need for more and better organs for transplantation and has developed technologies to preserve organ quality, assess organ viability prior to transplant, and potentially increase the utilization of donor organs for the treatment of end-stage heart, lung, and liver failure. Investor Contact: Brian Johnston 332-895-3222 Investors@transmedics.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transmedics-reports-inducement-grants-under-nasdaq-listing-rule-5635c4-302330724.html SOURCE TransMedics Group, Inc.
Tiger Woods could not offer much of a timetable Tuesday on PGA Tour negotiations with the Saudi backers of LIV Golf or his own future as a player. Woods is the tournament host of the Hero World Challenge this week, and that's his only role at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas. He has played the holiday tournament only once since 2019, missing this year while recovering from a sixth surgery on his lower back. “I'm not tournament sharp yet, no. I'm still not there,” Woods said. “These are 20 of the best players in the world and I'm not sharp enough to compete against them at this level. So when I'm ready to compete and play at this level, then I will.” A big part of his time is occupied by PGA Tour business matters. Woods was appointed to the PGA Tour board a year ago with no term limits, and he also is on the board of the commercial PGA Tour Enterprises. There has been movement on negotiations for the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia to become a minority investor in PGA Tour Enterprises — the tour already has a $1.5 billion investment from Strategic Sports Group and a player equity program. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan played in the Dunhill Links Championship on the European tour with the PIF governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan. Monahan also played golf with President-elect Donald Trump, who had said he could fix golf's mess in about 15 minutes. “I think all of us who have been a part of this process would have thought it would have happened quicker than this,” Woods said. He suggested any deal still would have required Justice Department approval. “But things are very fluid, we’re still working through it, it’s happening daily,” Woods said. “From a policy board standpoint or from an enterprise standpoint, things are moving and they’re constructive.” In the meantime, Bloomberg reported last week the European tour is talking with PIF separately, leading to suggestions of a shared schedule in which players from the European tour and LIV Golf could play on each circuit. “We all want to get past this and to do what’s best for the tour and in trying to do that, there’s going to be ... some eggs are going to be knocked over and it’s going to be a little bit difficult at times,” Woods said. “But in the end we’re going to get a product that’s better for all the fans and all the players that are involved and get some peace that the game desperately needs.” As for his own future, Woods was not certain. He was not asked if he planned to play in two weeks at the PNC Championship with his son, Charlie. It's a 36-hole event hosted by the PGA Tour Champions, so Woods could ride in a cart. He has played it each of the last four years. He looked back at 2024 as a lost year, primarily because of his ailing back that began to spasm as the year went on. Woods had set a goal of playing a big tournament once a month through the majors season, but that fell apart early when he missed The Players Championship in March. He set a Masters record by making his 24th consecutive cut, but then only played at the next three majors and was gone by the weekend at each of them. He had a microdiscectomy in September to alleviate pain down his legs, but he had no idea how often he could play in 2025. “Whether my commitment going forward is once a month, yeah, I could say that all over again,” Woods said. "But I truly don’t know. I’m just trying to rehab and still get stronger and better and feel better, really give myself the best chance I can going into next year. “This year, I had to toss it away and I wasn’t as sharp as I needed to be and I didn’t play as much as I needed to going into the major championships and I didn’t play well at them,” he said. “Hopefully next year will be better. I’ll be physically stronger and better. I know the procedure helped and hopefully that I can then build upon that.”
On the surface, Boeing ( BA 4.10% ) looks as though it has all the ingredients of a potential millionaire-maker investment. The aircraft market is growing, competition is minimal, and government contracts are plentiful. But despite its many advantages, this aerospace leader has lost 60% of its value in half a decade. Has that decline created a buying opportunity for this once-stellar business, or should it be viewed as a warning to investors to stay far away? A spectacular economic moat The phrase " economic moat " -- popularized by investing legend Warren Buffett -- refers to certain types of durable competitive advantages a company can possess that make it difficult for potential rivals to make inroads against it. Boeing's moat is as deep as they come. In the large passenger aircraft market, it competes in a duopoly with European rival Airbus , with a market share of around 40% for large passenger aircraft (compared to Airbus's 60%). It also plays a notable role in U.S. defense contracting, supplying weapons systems like the iconic Apache helicopter. Investors shouldn't expect the duopoly to end anytime soon. The large passenger jet manufacturing industry has an incredibly high barrier to entry because of the capital investments require d, intense regulatory oversight, and the business relationships between manufacturers and major airlines that may be unwilling to experiment with new suppliers . Over the very long term, a Chinese rival like COMAC could leverage lower labor costs and support from the Beijing government to claw its way into the industry. But the International Bureau of Aviation (IBA) expects the upstart to capture only around 1% of the opportunity by 2030. With industry disruption potentially decades away, Boeing's biggest threat might be itself. Could cost-cutting turn things around? In the third quarter, Boeing's revenue dipped by around 1% year over year to $17.8 billion, with results dragged down by its commercial airplane segment, where sales dropped by 5% to $7.44 billion. This core business was grappling with a host of problems, including a seven-week labor strike by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) that ended this month. The new contract stipulates a 38% pay rise for workers over the next four years , along with more generous retirement benefits, putting even more pressure on this loss-making business. For context, Boeing's commercial Airplane segment generated a third-quarter operating loss of $4 billion, so higher labor costs are likely the last thing shareholders want to see right now. Just weeks after the new IAM contract, federal filings revealed Boeing will lay off 2,200 workers across the U.S. This move will likely be the first salvo in its plan to cut 10% of its global workforce (17,000 jobs) announced during the strike in October. As a mature and slow-growing company, aggressive cost-cutting will help Boeing to maximize long-term shareholder value. More importantly, the company will have to increase production volume to take advantage of economies of scale. But this might be easier said than done because Boeing is already struggling with quality control issues according to the FAA. Stay far away from Boeing In the best-case scenario, Boeing will successfully cut costs and streamline its way into operating profitability while avoiding future labor-related disruptions in its production lines. But even if the company manages to pull this off, it will have to reckon with the $53.2 billion mountain of long-term debt on its balance sheet. Retiring those liabilities will drain its cash flow, limiting potential investor returns. In the third quarter alone, Boeing's interest expenses totaled around $2 billion. And as an aircraft maker, it also faces massive outflows for research and development (about $3 billion in the first three quarters of this year alone). I t will be difficult to cut that development spending without putting the company at risk of falling behind technologically. With all this in mind, Boeing looks to be far from a potential millionaire-maker stock . Instead, it will likely underperform the S&P 500 for the foreseeable future.Chicago homeless people would receive 'backpack beds' under fundraising planFlames prospect Zayne Parekh looking to keep Canadian world junior dream alive
The Gas Hydrates Market Will Grow To $2.80 Billion In 2028 At A Compound Annual Growth Rate CAGR Of 6.6%Meghan Markle is ready for the cameras — once again. The former star is set for a spectacular return to the small screen with a “cooking, gardening and entertaining” show on Netflix. Meghan and husband Prince Harry have been keeping their professional lives separate, and while Harry has been out promoting next year’s Invictus Games, his wife has stayed out of the spotlight, for the most part. That’s all going to change in “early 2025” when she launches her curated show along with the much-anticipated debut of her lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, the reported. The with Meghan’s famous pals including Chrissy Teigen, Kris Jenner and Abigail Spencer touting their baskets of homemade jams. But nothing more came of it, with nary a peep heard about the brand from Meghan herself or her celebrity friends. “As far as Meghan being quiet, she’s been in the background working on her entrepreneurial efforts, both the Netflix project and her brand will come out within the same timeline in the new year,” an industry insider told the publication. “It’s going to be a good year for Meghan specifically,” they continued. “She’s spent the majority of the year doing work behind the scenes to launch a project in the first few months of 2025.” Meghan’s show will celebrate “the joys of cooking, gardening, entertaining and friendship,” according to Netflix. The contract Markle and Harry signed with the streamer back in 2020 runs until the end of 2025, and plans to use the final year to establish herself with the likes of other lifestyle mavens, including Martha Stewart and Ina Garten, the previously reported. When asked about Stewart’s thoughts on Meghan’s aspirations, a source told the publication that Martha “doesn’t even consider her to be on her radar.” The insider, who noted that documentary was “celebrated” while was “mocked,” scoffed: “They’re in two separate universes when it comes to public opinion.” Meghan and Harry’s other Netflix documentary begins streaming on Dec. 10, but they won’t be starring in it. Rather, the couple will serve as executive producers on the series that takes an unprecedented look at the sport Harry loves so much and what it takes to compete at the highest level.
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