Business
NUPRC To Establish Framework For Operations By Multinationals
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has said it shall establish a framework aimed at ensuring that host community trust funds established pursuant to the PIA embark on activities in their respective beneficiary communities.
It said this is aimed at ensuring peaceful operations by reducing significantly and ultimately eliminating all forms of disruptive agitations by host communities in the operational areas.
The commission stated this in a document titled “NUPRC Regulatory Action Plan 2024 and Near Term (2024-2026)” at the Weekend.
According to the document, the Commission shall, in collaboration with the settlors or the Trusts and the Trustees of the various Trust Funds, institute a quarterly dialogue series with Settlors and the Trust Funds as a platform for proactive engagement between the Commission, the Settlors and the Trust Funds on all issues concerning the progressive implementation of the Trust objectives, and the establishment of harmony and peace in the host community beneficiary areas.
It said, “In a similar vein, the Commission shall ensure the full functionality of the recently launched HOSTCOMPLY platform to ensure simplified administration of the HCDTs for easy and efficient oversight of the Commission on the funds’ administration and implementation of the HCDT projects as provided in the PIA”.
With the 650,000 per day Dangote Refinery and Port Harcourt Refinery expected to begin operations in the new year, the Commission is to enforce the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation to ensure that the refineries have adequate feedstock to end Nigeria’s importation of petroleum products.
It stated further that, “Nigeria, despite being a major oil exporter, has faced the paradox of importing refined products, leading to increased costs and vulnerabilities in the face of global oil price fluctuations.
“To this end, the Petroleum Industry Act 2021, in Section 109 introduced the Domestic Crude Supply Obligation. The DCSO is a policy that mandates oil-producing companies to allocate a specific percentage of their crude oil production for domestic refining.
“The Commission has fully operationalised the implementation of the Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligation since the regulation was gazetted a few months ago. Alignment with Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, operators and refineries on the operating framework has fully commenced in line with PIA provisions.
“It is believed that the implementation of the DCSO shall bolster socio-economic growth for Nigeria, including energy security and reduced import dependency of refined products. An effective feedback mechanism shall be adopted to manage stakeholder expectations during the implementation of DCSO”.
It also added that “the overarching thrust of this policy is to promote adequate supply of crude oil for domestic refining and consumption, while fostering responsible resource management, energy security, economic stability, and sustainable development”.
The commission further stated that it shall, in 2024, implement identified measures to accelerate the execution of oil and gas development and production in Nigeria through fast- tracking of end-to-end approval processes, to expedite bringing barrels to market.
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
