Business
Miners Demand High Budgetary Allocation
The Miners Association of
Nigeria has called for increased budgetary allocation to revolutionise the solid mineral sector.
Alhaji Sani Shehu, the National President of the association, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen in Abuja, recently.
Shehu observed that the N9 billion allocated to the sector would not resolve the challenges of the ministry and boost the industry.
According to him, it may be difficult for the Federal Government to achieve its economic diversification plan through the solid minerals with low budgetary allocation.
He noted that the budgetary allocation of the mining sector was the translation of government impression about the industry.
The president recalled that some mining African countries invested as much as 60 million dollars on exploration in their 2016 budget.
He said over the years, the sector had only generated 0.1 per cent revenue into the economy due to lack of proper documentation.
“Our members are not happy with the allocation because it is too little to solve the mining sector alone, not to talk of the Ajaokuta and other steel companies.
“Mining is a priority area to focus on in order to diversify the economy; we were hopeful because the previous administrations made the same promises but no action,” he said.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure that the Solid Minerals Development Fund that was established by the previous administration to support miners was properly funded.
“The solid minerals development fund is a statutory fund, the provision of the fund is in the Mineral and Mining Act.
“It was established by the previous administration but we were unable to access funds.
“We are appealing to Mr President to bridge the budgetary gap through this fund initiative to move the mining sector forward,’’ he urged.
However, he said that it was imperative for government to assist miners with adequate funds, as the growth operational capacity of the indigenous miners could attract foreign mining investors.
“Mining is a project that requires huge capital; as a matter of responsibility, government must work out strategy to accomplish its diversification plan by assisting local miners.’’
While commending federal government plan to inject N350 billion into the economy in the next quarter, Shehu noted that some of his members would benefit from the funds.
“Some of our members in the quarry construction companies are part of the contractors on the federal government list to be settled.”
Mr Isaac Igwure, a stakeholder in the mining sector, said the budgetary allocation for the ministry was grossly inadequate to solve the needs of the sector.
According to him, mining requires huge capital and operators in the industry need government assistance.
He called on government to as a matter of urgency establish a mining bank in the country to assist the miners with credit facility.
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