Business
Nigerian Content: ‘FG’s 70% Target By 2010, Impossible’
Nelson Chukwudi
More than a decade after the Federal Government began the process to ensure that the strategic oil and gas industry achieves 70 per cent Nigerian content in all aspects of its operations by 2010, the major beneficiaries of the policy have said the set target is absolutely not feasible.
President of Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), Engr. Shawley Coker, told The Tide in an exclusive interview last Tuesday, that the “Federal Government’s target of 70 per cent Nigerian content in the oil and gas business by 2010 is absolutely impossible to achieve”.
However, the leading oil and gas exploration and production companies led by Shell and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), represented by the National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), had Monday, assured they would do everything to comply with the federal government directives on Nigerian content development and the achievement of the 70 per cent target by 2010.
With membership of more than 40, PETAN is the umbrella body of leading indigenous technical oilfield service companies in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry, whose vision is the domestication of petroleum technology in Nigeria, and an arm of the very influential Oil Producers Trade Section (OPTS) of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NCCIMA).
Coker spoke in the backdrop of the first-ever Nigerian Content Development Day/Exhibition, hosted by Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria in Port Harcourt, last Monday, which he described as a very significant milestone in the effort to facilitate the development of Nigerian content in the oil and gas business.
The PETAN president praised the doggedness and resilience of most indigenous entrepreneurs in the oil and gas sector, who he said, “are doing their best to make an impact in the industry, even as they face the turbulent and gloomy business climate in the country,” stressing that most of the indigenous service companies were only struggling to remain in business because the conditions in the country have failed to encourage local investors in the industry.
According to him, “the federal government is making mockery of the whole idea of Nigerian content. Why are they always in a hurry to set targets they know are not feasible? For the policy to achieve its goals, the government has to create the enabling environment for local industries to thrive. Until they muster the political will to take actions in the interest of the ordinary Nigerian, the 70 per cent Nigerian content target will remain a mirage.”
Coker noted that “the overall NCD goal is good and well-intentioned,” but insisted that the conditions on the ground, accentuated by “official corruption and lack of political will”, have made the government’s policy on NCD a mere mockery of Nigerian people’s desires for speedy industrialisation and economic development.
The PET AN boss regretted that most economic policies of the government were articulated and formulated by officials, whose innate interests are to frustrate emerging local entrepreneurs, bolster their political and economic influence, thereby stagnating the growth of majority of indigenous businesses.
He drew attention to the worrisome state of the steel and the wobbling manufacturing sectors, the epileptic power supply situation, which has inflicted huge losses on investors, the comatose and sorry state of infrastructures, particularly roads, and a litany of legislation working against the growth of the economy, as areas the government has failed to address, adding that except all the enabling structures are put in place, sound policy frameworks were bound to fail.
The industrialist, who has huge investments in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria, regretted that “most Nigerian investors in the oil and
Business
E-Commerce Platform Revolutionises Online Businesses, Empowers SMEs
A revolutionary online marketplace launched in December 2023, Naijamart.com, is shaking up the landscape for Nigerian businesses.
The multi-platform ecosystem is designed to empower businesses of all sizes and connect them with a wider audience at zero cost.
It offers diverse range of platforms on catering to specific business needs, and its product platform allows the buying and selling of a vast array of products, from electronics and fashion to home ware and groceries.
Naijamart Motors provides a dedicated space for seamless transactions, including buying, selling, or leasing a car, motorcycle, or any other vehicle, and also provides a dedicated space for seamless transactions.
According to the facilitators, Mr. Olalekan Emmanuel Odusanya and Mr. Moses Omhekono Owolabi, the platform was created to fill a significant void in the e-commerce industry, bridging the gap between vendors and buyers while providing enhanced security.
“Our vision is to create a platform where everyone benefits. We have meticulously designed the platform with an array of innovative tools and features to ensure that every user, regardless of their role, enjoys a seamless and rewarding experience.
“The platform is user-friendly, ensuring that even those with minimal technical skills can easily create and manage their online storefronts, and guarantees triple sales through its comprehensive support system and innovative features designed to maximise visibility and customer engagement.
“This multifaceted platform has also been the bedrock and backbone for many SMEs, providing support to the underserved and less privileged and grants to businesses”, Odusanya said.
Business
Analysts Fear Bank Recapitalisation May Worsen SMEs’ Funding
Analysts have said that the ongoing recapitalisation in the banking sector was pushing the industry towards greater consolidation, with significant implications for lending practices, especially for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
They also noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive for banks to increase their capital base was not only reshaping the landscape by encouraging mergers among smaller banks, but also raising concerns about restricted access to credit.
According to the Head of Research at a financial market infrastructure group warehousing, FMDQ, Vincent Nwani, the recapitalisation was likely to lead to a wave of mergers and acquisitions, as smaller banks may find it difficult to meet the stringent capital requirements on their own.
“The recapitalisation will undoubtedly lead to further consolidation in the banking sector.
Smaller banks may struggle to meet the new requirements independently, prompting more mergers and acquisitions. This consolidation is likely to create a more competitive environment but may limit credit access for smaller enterprises,” Nwani explained.
Meanwhile, a Professor of Economics at Babcock University, Olusegun Ajibola, warned that while the recapitalisation might strengthen the overall banking sector, it could also result in tighter lending conditions, particularly for SMEs.
He noted that banks, in their effort to meet the new capital requirements, might prioritise capital accumulation over lending, which could temporarily reduce the availability of credit for SMEs.
“While the recapitalisation will strengthen the banking sector, the immediate effect will be a tightening of lending, particularly to small and medium-sized enterprises.
“Banks are focused on shoring up their capital, which could temporarily crowd out credit availability for SMEs, crucial to our economy,” the former president of the Chartered Institute of Banking of Nigeria noted.
The Tide’s source reports that the Association of Securities Dealing Houses of Nigeria(ASHON) has accused banks of bypassing licensed stockbrokers as receiving agents in the fresh recapitalisation exercise.
The Chairman of ASHON, Sam Onukwue, and its Secretary, Athan Ogbozor, stated that the association was empowering their staff members, including drivers and receptionists, to issue and receive share subscription forms.
Business
FCMB Moves To Empower Nigeria’s Female Tech Entrepreneurs
First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has launched a female friendly programme called “FCMB’s HERccelerate programme”, aimed at promoting startups’ growth, funding, mentorship, and training to help female founders.
FCMB’s Managing Director (MD), Yemisi Edun, who said this during the launch of the programme, said the initiative, which is driven by the Bank’s SheVentures and Hub One innovation hub, is executed in collaboration with 8th Gear Hub and Venture Studio.
The programme, according to the MD, seeks to equip female founders with the necessary skills, knowledge, and networks to secure funding and ensure sustainable growth.
She noted that applications for the programme, which targets women-led startups across various sectors, including Fintech, Agritech, Healthtech, Edtech, and E-commerce, offers them the chance to compete for funding and other strategic benefits and would be closing on September 30, 2024.
The MD said participants will undergo rigorous training, including office hours, site visits to successful local startups, and networking events with seasoned entrepreneurs.
“This robust support structure is designed to provide participants with access to knowledge, resources, investors, markets, and networks.
“The programme will culminate in a showcase event where winners will receive grant funding and gain exposure to potential investors.
“The bank is commited to fostering innovation and supporting women-led businesses, particularly SMEs in the tech sector.
“This initiative reaffirms our dedication to empowering women entrepreneurs to pursue their ambitions and make significant contributions to the tech ecosystem and Nigeria’s economic development.
“We understand the unique challenges faced by female-led tech ventures, from funding constraints to biases that hinder growth. HERccelerate is our platform to drive innovation and open more funding avenues for these businesses.
“We urge women entrepreneurs to take advantage of this opportunity to leave a lasting impact”, She said.
The Tide’s source reports that Nigeria’s tech sector has experienced notable growth in recent years, with women-led startups making significant inroads across various industries.
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