Business
FG To Enforce Electricity Materials, Installations Standardisation
Minister of Statefor
Power, Mr Mohammed Wakil, has said that Federal Government was set to enforce quality control and standard of electricity materials and installations.
Wakil gave the assurance during the commissioning of the Remodeled National Meter Test Station and opening of the Technical Inspectorate Service Field Office in Lagos, recently.
The minister said that President Goodluck Jonathan had successfully reformed the generation, transmission and distribution sub-sectors, adding that government now focused on effective delivery of safe and reliable electricity supply to Nigerians.
According to him, “we are resolved to enhance consumers and investors’ confidence and certification through sustained inspection, testing and certification of electrical materials and equipment.
“Electricity materials should be of the high quality and specification; all categories of electrical installations, power systems and network must be properly planned, designed and exulted before use.
“Gone are the days of sub-standard equipment and installations which compromised safety of Nigerians. More pointedly manufacturers of fake power equipment are hereby put on notice.
“The long arm of law shall catch-up with those endangering lives of innocent citizens. Nigerians not only want adequate power supply but also safety and reliability”.
Wakil said that the significance of safety and quality control informed the establishment of Electricity Management Services Limited (EMSL), one of the successor companies established by law.
He added that the agency had grown from nothing to an emerging giant.
“I am happy to note that EMSL has, within this short period, achieved remarkable successes which included the re-modeled meter test station and others at Kaduna and Port Harcourt.
“The technical inspectorate service field offices of EMSL has detected defective power equipment in many zones,” he added.
The Managing Director, EMSL, Mr Peter Ewesor, said that the remodeled national meter testing station would be saddled with the roles and responsibilities of enforcement of technical and safety standard.
Ewesor said that others were technical inspection, testing and certification of all categories of electrical materials and equipment and electrical installations.
He said that in line with EMSL mandate and regulations, no electrical installation or network could be used unless it had been tested and certified fit for use by their engineers and technical officers of EMSL.
“Over 10,000 substandard meters have been rejected for not having anti-energy-theft protection. These types would have led to high commercial and collection losses for the investors.
“We have rejected over 5,000 meters having terminal connections that were out of specifications; this would have led to risk to workers and staff of the utility companies and possible burning of the meters on installations,” he said.
The Tide source reports that EMSL is a pivot part of the power sector that provides technical support service of enforcement of technical standard, safety and specification in the power sector.
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