Business
NLC Criticises NERC Over Tariff Increase
Acting Executive Secretary, National Investment Promotion Council, Alhaji Hassan Abubakar (right), handing over to his successor, Mrs Salamatu Umar, in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN
The Nigeria Labour Con
gress (NLC) has called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure improved electricity in the country before contemplating any increase in tariff.
The NLC President, Alhaji Abdulwaheed Omar, made this known at a stakeholders meeting organised by NERC in Abuja last Tuesday.
Omar, who decried the recent increase in electricity tariff by NERC, criticised the commission for not consulting with consumers and stakeholders like NLC before announcing the increment.
The commission had announced a marginal increase of about one naira in energy charge for consumers while it retained N750 monthly fixed charge with effect from June 1.
NERC had explained during its Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO) meeting in May that the Energy Cost (EC) had to be slightly jerked up.
It said the increment was due to what it described as high distribution cost over a low energy generation capacity.
Omar, however, insisted that NLC and other stakeholders ought to have been called to a round table on the issue before the announcement and not after the announcement was made.
“It is not very good to have this kind of arrangement where the interaction is after the deed has been done.
“It is better you do all the consultations so that people are better informed about what they expect and why you are doing what you are doing,’’ he said.
Omar stressed the need for improved power supply before any tariff was increased so that Nigerians are not made to suffer double jeopardy.
“The rate of tariff increase is quite worrisome and there is no proportionate increase in electricity supply.
“The amount of consumption should determine the rate paid by consumers, what Nigerian consumers expect is an improvement in power supply, but what they get in return is a hike on electricity tariff,” he said.
Omar charged NERC to be more proactive and match the projected increased accessibility with affordability as Nigerians were tired of excuses from the regulatory body and the Distribution Companies (DISCOS).
He urged NERC to investigate the activities of (DISCOs), which according to him, bill customers based on estimation and not on adequate metering system made available by the regulatory body.
“It is one thing to announce tariff rate without the capacity to enforce it.
“The social service component of electricity must not be laid down for profit maximisation because the consumers are always at the receiving end,” Omar said.
Earlier, NERC Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, said the commission had to organise the stakeholders meeting to get the right feedback for all stakeholders.
Amadi said NERC did a lot of consultations with stakeholders such as the CBN, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on the macroeconomics before the reviewed tariff was announced.
“The kind of feedback you are giving us now is the reason we want to hear from you.
MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.
Corlins Walter
In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.
In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.
Corlins Walter