Business
Stakeholders Task FG On Renewable Energy
Delegates rose from a three-day conference on alternative energy on Saturday in Abuja with a call on the Federal Government to pay adequate attention to the country’s renewable energy sector.
The call is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the fifth Nigeria Alternative Energy Exposition (NAEE) with the theme: “Consolidating Energy Transformation Gains.”
Mr Chidi Onuoha, a renewable energy consultant and advocate, signed the communiqué on behalf of other delegates.
The stakeholders commended the Federal Government for putting in place the Renewable Energy Policy (REP) and called for its effective implementation.
They described the policy as a critical blueprint for the national search for permanent solutions to the country’s lingering energy crisis.
The delegates emphasised the need for the policy to be backed by law in order to sustain the contribution of clean energy to the energy mix and attract investors to the sector.
To this end, they pledged their support for a Green Economy Nigeria Bill (GENB), which they said would soon be in the National Assembly.
The bill, according to them, seeks to give legal teeth to sustainable agriculture, renewable energy and infrastructure.
The Tide gathered that the NAEE is the country’s largest gathering of policy makers, researchers, manufacturers, investors and consumers of renewable energy.
This year’s edition, held between Oct. 14 and Oct.16 at Shehu Yar’adua Conference Centre, was declared open by President Muhammadu Buhari, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Power, Mr Godknows Igali.
It attracted French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Denys Gauer; the Director General, Energy Commission of Nigeria, Prof. Eli Bala; French Ambassador for Climate in Africa and Middle East, and Mr Stephane Gompertz.
The communiqué read: “We commend the Federal Government for putting in place the Renewable Energy Policy (REP) and Energy Efficiency Policy (EEP) document.
“The REP document, no doubt, will serve as a blue print for sustainable supply and utilisation of renewable energy sources within the economy for both on-grid and off-grid solutions.
“The document also advances an Energy Efficiency Policy (EEP) which will reduce inefficient consumption, thereby providing greater access to electricity consumers.”
The delegates expressed concern over the “deficiency” in the country’s energy infrastructure over the years despite being the most populated and largest economy in Africa.
Among other recommendations, they advised the Federal Government to encourage private sector investments in renewable energy using feed-in tariffs as obtainable in other climes.
They advised the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to provide a regulatory framework for off-grid power supply solutions.
The delegates cited high import tariffs on renewable energy facilities and high bank credit as major obstacles to investment in the sector.
They, therefore, urged the Nigerian Customs Service to implement relevant aspects of the REP, especially the provision on zero import duty for renewable energy technologies.
“The Federal Government through the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) should ensure the importation of only quality renewable energy equipment into the country.
“Importation of substandard products by quacks has painted genuine investors in the sector in bad light.
“There is also the need for collaboration between the federal and state governments, and the private sector to support training and job creation provided by off-grid renewable energy market for technicians, installers and artisans.
“The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) should reinvent itself as the Renewable Energy Development Agency and focus on the promotion of off-grid, mini-grid renewable energy solutions.
“REA should also work with private sector investors to achieve fast rural electrification,” they said.
The stakeholders announced the formation of an association called the Nigeria Sustainable Energy Group (NSEG) to give them a voice as it is the case with other professional bodies in the country.
According to them, NSEG will serve as a platform for them to fast-track and monitor progress made in the implementation of their resolutions and other issues of interest to the members.
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