Business
Confusion Trails 15% ‘Tokumbo’ Vehicles Levy Planned Strike
Confusion seem rife at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Tin-Can Island Port Complex over the introduction of 15 per cent National Automotive Council (NAC) levy by the Federal Ministry of Finance on imported used vehicles also known as ‘Tokunbo.’
On the one hand, clearing agents operating at the Apapa seaport, Port and Terminal Multiservices Limited (PTML) and Five Star Logistics under the Tin-Island seaport have threatened to down tool on Monday.
Meanwhile, another group called on members to disregard the call for strike, saying, the leadership of Association of Nigeria Liscenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) is engaging the Ministry of Finance on the new policy.
The Tide’s source, however, gathered that clearing agents are confused on who to listen to over the implementation of the NAC levy by the government.
A notice over the weekend, by a supposed youth leader at Tin Can Island Port, Rilwan Amuni, said all freight forwarders were to go on a warning strike last Monday against the NAC levy, as well as Customs Benchmark on Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR).
“Having consulted widely among the critical stakeholders as regards 15 percent NAC and Illegal benchmarks on PAAR, it has been concluded that the 15% NAC is a ‘fraud’.
“In view of this, in conjunction with other stakeholders, there would be a one-day warning strike on Monday 25th of April by 10am prompt, starting from our ‘Holy Ground’ in front of Grimaldi and we move down to CAC’S of PTML and Tincan enroute all other terminals in Tincan and Apapa.
“After sensitising, we believe the authorities concerned will reverse this ‘Illegal 15 per cent NAC and also review the Benchmarks on PAAR’ within the next 48hours.
“Failure to do this, all members should be ready to downtool and make sure we have a total shutdown at the Ports.
“Please note that Monday and Tuesday is just a ‘warning strike’, agents are allowed to do their jobs and tidy up against Wednesday in Lieu of whether their will be a reverse or not,” the notice read.
In a swift reaction, the Acting President, ANLCA, Kayode Farinto, described the call for strike from Monday to protest the imposition of a 15 per cent NAC levy on ‘Tokunbo’ as baseless.
Farinto, said the clearing agents calling for strike action on Monday have no License and wwre leading a faceless group.
“The ANLCA is not going on strike on account of the NAC levy. The call for a strike is by a faceless group in the Tin Can Port and we shall deal with the situation appropriately.
“Who signed the notice? That character is not a member of ANLCA and has no license. Whoever heeds his call for a strike does so at his or her own risk.” the ANLCA chieftain warned.
He said the action of the faceless group does not enjoy the support of the ANLCA top hierarchy.
Also speaking, the Secretary-General of ANLCA, Alhaji Abdulaziz Mukaila, said freight forwarders confraternity has decided to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on the issue.
“When we held a meeting with the Customs last week Wednesday, we found out that the Customs was not responsible for the imposition of the levy but the Ministry of Finance. We have, therefore, written to the Ministry and only got the acknowledgment of our letter Thursday.
“Hopefully, the five accredited freight forwarding associations will hold a meeting with the Ministry officials next week,” he said.
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
