Business
FG Initiates Certification Programme For CNG Vehicle Conversion Workshops
In its bid to standardise and regulate the conversion of vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in Nigeria, the Federal Government, through the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has initiated a certification process for CNG Conversion Workshops.
The move came amidst concerns over market expansion, safety, and the proliferation of unregulated conversion centres across the country.
The Director-General, NADDC, Joseph Osanipin, revealed this while addressing stakeholders during an Engagement Meeting in Abuja,
Citing data from Autogas Africa, Osanipin said there are currently over 120 CNG conversion centres with 466 skilled technicians operating across Nigeria, adding that these workshops have the capacity to convert a minimum of two petrol vehicles to CNG per day, indicating a growing acceptance of CNG conversion in the market.
While noting that the meeting was aimed at enlightening them about the Council’s guidelines and requirements for accreditation and certification of CNG workshops, he emphasised that the certification process would guarantee compliance with safety standards, with workshops meeting the necessary requirements and receiving accreditation, adding that the accreditation would allow them access to CNG at gas stations.
According to him, the regulations cover various aspects of the conversion process, including the use of conversion kits, the conversion environment, and the qualifications of personnel involved.
Osanipin explained that after the conversion, they would be given a QR Code and the code would go with every vehicle they have been converted, which would also be used to be served gas at the stations.
He warned that workshops which do not satisfy the basic requirements would not be certified by NADDC to perform the conversion and therefore would not be able to access CNG at gas stations.
The NADDC boss disclosed that a safety policy document on 80 standards and regulations that must be strictly adhered to by operators has been developed and approved by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to ensure CNG conversions were done safely and reliably.
Osanipin emphasised that the deployment of CNG buses and tricycles, along with the vision to get at least one million natural gas-propelled vehicles on Nigeria’s roads by 2027, would mark a significant energy transition in the country’s transportation industry.
He said, “As more vehicles, including trucks, run on natural gas, Nigeria will gradually phase out the use of more expensive diesel and PMS”.
According to him, Nigeria has abundant natural gas resources in at least 30 out of the 36 states of the federation, making it feasible to achieve this transition.
He insisted that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s launch of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (P-CNG-i) last year, aimed at promoting CNG as an alternative transportation fuel, following the removal of fuel subsidies.
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
