Business
BPE, NERC To Probe $1.8bn Investor Commitment
The federal government ,through two of its key agencies, the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has said it is ready to commence a forensic probe of the extent of financial commitments so far made by the new owners of the various electricity distribution companies in the country.
It said the expected forensic probe was in relation with the cumulative $1.8 billion financial commitment which the new owners of the distribution companies had made as part of their five years business expansion plans for the networks during the power assets privatisation programme.
The government noted that the measure was necessary to ensure that the new owners were meeting up with their commitments in reality and not just on papers.
Its disclosure of the intention to monitor the rate of expansion of the various electricity distribution companies came on the same day it sought partnership with states, local governments and related institutions in the development and administration of Nigeria’s electricity sector.
The government stated yesterday at the launch of the National Council on Power (NACOP) in Abuja that it was now willing to concede aspects of the development and administration of Nigeria’s electricity sector to other partners who it advised to key into ongoing reforms in the sector.
The Minister of State, for Power, Mohammed Wakil, said at the inaugural NACOP that the initiative started in 2008 but was delayed until the recent liberalisation of the electricity sector and its somewhat expunge from the federal government’s exclusive list of responsibilities.
He explained that President Jonathan had afterwards approved the constitution of NACOP, having been satisfied that Nigeria’s electricity market was mature enough to assimilate the active participation of other stakeholders in its development.
Similarly, the Director General of BPE, Benjamin Dikki, stated in an update on the status of the privatised successor companies of defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) at the summit that the government had put in place structured mechanisms to bring investors to account for their $1.8 billion five-year expansion commitments to the distribution networks.
Dikki noted that while the BPE, NERC and ministry of power embark on planned mandatory probe of investors’ commitments to upgrade the networks through agreed and specified annual investments, such mechanisms like NERC’s programmed review of electricity tariff to reflect market realities will not apply to recalcitrant distribution companies.
He said the distribution companies that fail to make its pledged financial commitment to the networks would not be granted the benefits of scheduled tariff reviews among others.
“NERC and BPE have drawn up systemic measures to check and enforce these commitments and this is in addition to structured mechanisms that exist in the market.
“The five-year total CAPEX for distribution companies is almost $1.8 billion and the investment to be made by the Discos cover the commitments they have all made in the following areas; metering (about six million meters), health, safety and environmental practices, among others.
customer interruptions due to network faults, new customer connections and network expansion as well as improving customer services and complaints handling procedures,” Dikki said.
He equally added that: “There will be no tariff review for distribution companies that fail to make investments in their networks and attain certain percentage of the Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection (ATC and C) loss figures that they submitted to us.
Also, the Chairman of NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, who said in his presentation that the federal government had in its power sector reform programme, built a strong and coherent electricity market, explained that the commission was on the verge of developing a tight cyber security framework for the country’s electricity market.
Amadi noted that the measure had become necessary to safeguard market transactions in the sector, adding that without such measures, the market would remain vulnerable to potentially risky third-parties manipulations.
Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Sir Owene Wonodi, presenting a starter pack to skills acquisition graduand.
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