Business
Power Institute Seeks Synergy To Promote Consumers’ Right
Director-General, National Power Training Institute (NAPTIN), Mr Ahmed Nagode,has urged more synergy among stakeholders in the power sector to promote the rights and obligations of consumers.
Nagode made the call at a one-day National Electricity Consumer Protection Education Awareness Forum in Abuja yesterday.
The event was organised by NAPTIN, in collaboration with the Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA).
He said that the awareness programme was imperative as consumers’ right and protection was important.
According to him, consumers constitute big stakeholders in the Nigeria power sector.
“Consumers need to be aware of their civic rights and at the same time need to be aware of their civic responsibilities,’’ he said.
The NAPTIN boss said that stakeholders should give more attention in terms of training, with proper coordination to consumers’ right and protection.
“We are all consumers; if we are protecting consumers’ right and obligations we are protecting ourselves and also protecting and promoting our interest.
“In any country, consumer’s right is important, you need not surcharge the consumer, you need to give them their rights. They have civic rights and these are engrave in the laws of the land.
“ Consumers need to pay their bills as at when due but to whom much is given, much is expected. You must give them what will make it possible for them to exercise their rights, and this is what will make the system work. ‘’ he said.
Nagode, however, said that NAPTIN was ready to collaborate with other stakeholders in the power sector to carry out more training on consumer right.
Mr Princewill Okorie, the National President, APPA said that it organised the programme as the power sector was critical to development of the economy.
“We found out that implementation of section 80 and 81 of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act that deal with electricity consumer protection and licensee performance standards are not well enforced.
“We observe unfair business practices against consumers and going further, we found out that consumers lack knowledge and information and are even scared to protect themselves.
“So, the training will equip the consumer with knowledge on the standards and procedures governing them, thereby, enhancing the relationship between them and Electricity Distribution Companies ’’.
Also, Mr Shittu Shaibu, Deputy Director, Consumers Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission said that it had been working with all stakeholders to address the issue of consumer right.
Shaibu said that there was the need for more to be done to enlighten the consumer of his or her right and obligations.
“I can assure you that there are enough regulations, compliance and collaboration with Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) as well as the National orientation Agency and others that are responsible for ensuring consumers are protected,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Mrs Mercy Ogwu, FCCPC Deputy Director, Consumer Education said that the consumer right provided a way for individuals to fight back against abusive business practices.
Ogwu said that awareness was key to consumers’ right, and that if consumers knew something existed to their benefits, they would demand for it and ensure they are not surcharged,
“This action will make the market place fairer for business transactions,’’ the deputy director noted.
She reiterated FCCPC’s committment to always support such programmes to increase consumer awareness, protection of consumers rights and ensure a fair playing ground in the market place.
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