Business
Commission Tasks States Fiscal Responsibility Agencies
The Fiscal Responsibility
Commission (FRC) has urged state governments to set up fiscal responsibility agencies in their respective states.
The Acting Chairman of the commission, Mr Victor Muruako, made call in an interview with newsmen in Abuja recently.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government had in July, 2007 enacted the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), to ensure prudent management of funds in the public sector.
Muruako said that the commission, since its inception, had been promoting the tenets of the Act, especially at the national level.
“But at the state level, out of the 36 states you will observe that we only have 17 that have already adopted the law and have set up their fiscal responsibilities agencies.
“There is obvious need for other states to buy into it and to set up their commissions, because if you check, you will find out over 50 per cent of the nation’s resources are spent at the sub-regional levels, states and local governments.
“So, there is that urgent need, because it is a micro economy, we have to ensure the stability at that macro level, because we are not just talking about the national economy alone, in fact, it is very urgent for the states to buy in.’’
According to him, the establishment of similar bodies in the states will deepen transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
He said that the initiative would also ensure total compliance with the Fiscal Responsibility Act and other existing laws on the use of government funds.
Muruako wondered why some state governments were unwilling to set up similar agencies in their states.
“They are not very interested in buying into it, because they know what it means that a lot of things will now be checked.
“Before you go and borrow money, you have to explain why you have to get the necessary authorisations.’’
“Presently, as it is, you just find out that most state governments just go out of their way to raise bounds out from the market.
“And then pick loans that they don’t really need and they give sufficient reasons and most of the approvals are gotten just within hours from most Houses of Assembly.’’
He said that the commission would encourage and support states that were interested in setting up such agencies.
According to him, the commission has been involved in organising seminars for the states on the need to key into the fiscal responsibility act.
He, however, expressed optimism that more states would show commitment in the promotion of accountability and transparency in the conduct of their financial activities by respecting the fiscal responsibility law.
“I think most states, they will definitely see the need to get in, because you cannot fight corruption without preventing it, because that should be the first step, you try to prevent it.
“Fighting it might be a bit difficult, if you don’t work out to prevent it.’’
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