The Nation Newspaper

Category: Special Report

  • Providing rural communities with viable newborn centres

    Providing rural communities with viable newborn centres

    Nigeria has the second-highest number of neonatal deaths globally. In this report, CHINYERE OKOROAFOR writes that establishing more primary health centres with neonatal facilities, among others, is crucial to ending the scourge.

    One Saturday morning, in the Iba New Site area of Ojo, Lagos, Onyemuru Akubueze’s mobile phone interrupted his sleep. The caller was her younger brother, Amaechi. At first, Amaechi spoke in a rush and his garbled words were difficult to understand. Eventually, Akubueze understood that he was trying to say his girlfriend had given birth to a baby boy at a clinic owned by the Sacred Heart Catholic Church’s Hospital, Oguta Imo State. The baby was born prematurely and died 30 minutes later.

    The baby was not placed in an incubator because they ran out of time to do so. Two big bottles of water were filled with hot water and wrapped around the newborn while preparation was made to transport the baby to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Owerri, the state capital for proper care.

    Akubueze said the newborn’s mother, who never attended antenatal care, had an early labour and was rushed to the hospital early that morning.

     “At the hospital, while her stomach was being examined through the scan, the baby’s head was coming out and she was rushed to the birth theatre for delivery. By the time he returned from where he rushed to pick up his friend’s car for a 45-minute drive to the hospital, his baby had died,” he said.

     According to Akubueze, it was a shame that her hometown could not boast a good primary healthcare centre where women could attend antenatal care.

    “I felt so sorry for the baby to have been unfortunate to be born in the village. His death could have been preventable if the hospital had neonatal care. The government primary healthcare centre I used to know was abandoned for years before the present administration began to renovate it. But the renovation has been ongoing for over a year and they’re still not done. I was so upset. My cousin was crying uncontrollably, it was his first child. He called him Promise,” Akubueze said.

     Akubueze’s nephew’s death is one of many such avoidable deaths regularly recorded in the country’s rural areas, because of the non-availability of mechanical assistive devices in primary healthcare centres that could help to save them.

     But not all such newborns die. Some can survive through the “first aid” care given to them by health workers before they are taken to a proper hospital. But that also creates another kind of problem.

     According to experts, babies that survive through such crude methods or suboptimal use of technology suffer from disability.

     The neonatal period is the first 28 days of an infant’s life, whether the baby was carried to term or born prematurely. During this period, medical professionals examine newborns closely in the first few hours of life, particularly in the case of premature births or if there are complications during delivery and intervene where life support is needed. This entails, for instance, the availability of mechanical assistive devices to drive the breathing process and the provision of supplemental oxygen to curtail breathing difficulties and aid adaptation into the new world outside the mother’s womb.

    Data outlook

     The country’s Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) or Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) is not looking good. A new report shows that Nigeria accounts for the second-highest number of maternal and child deaths globally. The report titled: “Improving Maternal and Newborn Health and Survival and Reducing Stillbirth: Progress Report 2023” and released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is only behind India in the latest ranking.

     The report noted that in 2020, 788 women and children died ‘per thousand’ in India and 540 women and children ‘per thousand’ died in Nigeria.

    In the same year, India accounted for 17 per cent of global maternal and neonatal deaths and stillbirths, while Nigeria accounted for 12 per cent.

    The country has worse IMR compared with neighbouring West African countries such as Benin, Cameroon, Togo and Ghana, with 57, 48, 44 and 33 deaths per 1,000 live births, respectively.

     According to Statista, the mortality rate of infants under one year old in Nigeria as of 2023 was measured at 55.17. This means that there were about 55 deaths of children under the age of one year per 1,000 live births. The report noted that male infant deaths accounted for 60.43 per cent while female infant deaths accounted for 49.6 per cent.

     Last year, a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report titled “Situation of Women and Children in Nigeria” stated that the country records approximately 262,000 baby deaths at birth every year.

     Acknowledging the high rates last year, former Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, during a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) ministerial forum in Abuja last year said it was embarrassing “when you go to conferences and see that your country has some of the worst indices.”

    Where infant mortality rate is high in Nigeria

    According to Ehanire, lack of access to healthcare is the main factor contributing to high maternal, infant and under-five mortality in the country.

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    He said: “The area where you see this maternal and infant mortality is mostly in the rural areas where they have zero access to healthcare. There is no hospital there. Most of the women who are delivered of their babies do so without skilled birth attendants. But, once you have skilled birth attendants, maternal mortality reduces drastically.”

     WHO data supports the claim that there is a higher rate of neonatal deaths in Nigeria’s rural areas than in urban ones.

     According to the organisation, the country’s Neonatal Mortality Rate (NMR) in 2015 was 34 deaths per 1,000 live births. In rural areas, it is 44 deaths per 1,000 live births and 34 deaths per 1,000 live births in urban areas for an urban-to-rural ratio of 0.8.2. Among the poorest households, there are 45 neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births, compared to 30 deaths per 1,000 live births among the richest households.

     In the area of skilled attendance at birth, WHO’s maternal and newborn health coverage indicators showed that coverage of skilled attendance at birth is 23 per cent in rural areas, compared to 67 per cent in urban areas. In postnatal care, eight per cent of newborns in rural areas receive postnatal care (PNC) within two days after birth, compared to 25 per cent in urban areas.

     The urban health centres, where there is a semblance of health services, are slightly better off.

     Similarly, a visiting Professor of Medical Engineering and Technology at Imperial College London, Prof. Hippolite Amadi told The Nation that “Most of the babies dying are not just in cities but more in the rural areas. So that is where the newborn technology care should be taken to the areas if not, Nigeria can’t bring down the numbers.”

     Based on his decades of experience as a Medical Engineer and Technologist in state and federal health centres across the country, Prof. Amadi, who won the 2023 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Prize for Science–Innovations, said the structure of Nigeria’s healthcare system for newborns is also part of the problem of the high neonatal mortality rate in the country.

     He said until that is changed, the country’s newborn mortality rate will find it difficult to trickle down.

     “The Nigerian healthcare system for the newborn; the way it is structured is part of the problem of high neonatal mortality rate. That is, neonatal intervention is tied around the consultants and the professors, because it is a highly specialised aspect of patient intervention.

    “The system is fundamentally built around a difficult implementation path and that is why whatever the government has to offer to assist a tiny baby in Oguta, for example, to survive finds it difficult to trickle down.

     “We have a primary healthcare centre with no neonatal care because they tell you that neonatal care could only happen at a Tertiary Center. So, in other words, it is difficult, on the premise of how Nigeria is today, to do neonatology in the village, at the primary healthcare level, and secondary healthcare. Every needy neonate is being rushed to tertiary hospitals. It is not even that the tertiary is well-equipped and well-funded. Many of these babies that would travel this journey would either die on the way or by the time they get to the tertiary institutions, they would be moribund. This has been the practice, and it is not changing because people are not looking closely at these salient issues.

     “So, when a baby is born, these hospitals use crude methods. What they were doing with the water bottle in the case of the baby you said died in Oguta is only one aspect of the essentials of neonatal care and that is Thermoneutral control, and we can’t do it with a hot water bottle, even for an adult. It is a struggle, let alone tiny babies with partially developed brains to do auto-regulation. So, the baby will find it difficult to survive with that kind of technique; that is a crude old technique,” Prof. Amadi said.

     Meanwhile, by 2030, the United Nations (UN) neonatal mortality Agenda aims to end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1, live births.

     The big question is: can this be achieved domestically when globally; Nigeria is also not looking good, being garbed with the second highest number of NMR or IMR?

     Causes of infant mortality rate in Nigeria

     According to the WHO, 75 per cent of most neonatal deaths occur during the first week of life, and in 2019, about 1 million newborns died within the first 24 hours.

    It includes preterm birth, childbirth-related complications (birth asphyxia or lack of breathing at birth), infections and birth defects as the leading cause of neonatal deaths in 2019.

     From the end of the neonatal period and through the first five years of life, the main causes of death are pneumonia, diarrhoea, birth defects and malaria.

     Malnutrition is the underlying contributing factor, making children even more vulnerable to severe diseases.

     A 2018 study by the National Library of Medicine showed that lack of access to Antenatal care (ANC) or delayed ANC was a risk factor associated with neonatal mortality. Several individual and community-level determinants were identified as being associated with neonatal mortality in a developing country like Nigeria.

     According to the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, 61 per cent of live births do not take place in a health facility.

     An estimate report on preterm birth by the WHO, UNICEF, together with with Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH) revealed that no fewer than 152 million premature babies were born between 2010 and 2020, with an estimated 13.4 million babies born preterm in 2020 and nearly one million died from preterm complications. It said the figure is equivalent to around one in 10 babies born early (before 37 weeks of pregnancy) worldwide. Many survivors face a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities and visual and hearing problems.

     Of every 10 babies born, 1 is preterm – and every 40 seconds, 1 of those babies dies. Preterm birth rates have not changed in the past decade in any region of the world. The impacts of conflict, climate change, and COVID-19 are increasing risks for women and babies everywhere.

     In 2010, low birth weight was highlighted as the most common cause of IM accounting for 25% of IM. The study also identified a lack of delivery attendants, home delivery and traditional birth attendants as predictors of IM in Nigeria.

    Globally, prematurity is the leading cause of death in children under the age of 5 years. Inequalities in survival rates around the world are stark. In low-income settings, half of the babies born at or below 32 weeks (2 months early) die due to a lack of feasible, cost-effective care such as warmth, breastfeeding support and basic care for infections and breathing difficulties. In high-income countries, almost all these babies survive.

     Other contributing factors causing high infant and child mortality rates in Nigeria include the mother’s level of education, environmental conditions, and political and medical infrastructure.

     Skilled birth attendants, nurses, and midwives are scarce in Nigeria, and there are few properly equipped birth centres and hospitals. Where available, the costs of medical services are too expensive for the masses.

     During the ongoing naira scarcity, several men reported losing their pregnant wives because they had no cash to pay hospital bills.

     In droves, skilled medical professional doctors, nurses, laboratory attendants, consultants, and others – are fleeing Nigeria’s broken health system for Europe and North America. PAN estimates one doctor to 3,000 patients in Nigeria; made worse by the 2,000 locally trained doctors that leave the country annually. The Nigerian Medical Association estimates the doctor-to-patient ratio at between 1:5,000 and 1:8,000. The Medical and Dental Consultants Association said 500 of its members left the country for overseas practice in the two years to September 2022.

    Economic consequences of high newborn mortality

    The WHO said that “improvements in health, such as increases in life expectancy at birth and reduction in child mortality rates have great potential to raise economic growth in such regions.”

     Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable newborn health care is critical to building healthier, more equitable communities. This is because good health is an important factor in the economic and social development process in that it enhances the efficiency of labour and increases savings. Thus, there is a bidirectional relationship between health and growth or development. Therefore, wealth and health may be thought of as complementary.

    Joint responsibility for government and citizens

    Making a success of saving the Nigerian child from neonatal death is a collective responsibility of both the government and its people.

     To make amends, all tiers of government must progressively buy into initiatives aimed at eradicating the MMR and IMR scourge, mothers must ensure that they attend Antenatal care (ANC) where doctors can spot health problems early. Also, mothers should ensure that they deliver their babies in hospitals equipped with neonatal care in case there might be a need for it.

     Like Amaechi’s girlfriend, who didn’t attend ANC until she had a premature birth, an ANC visit to a doctor would have spotted an early issue and intervened.

     Nigeria has implemented several interventions and policies to improve IMR. An example is the Nigeria Midwives Service Scheme (MSS), a public sector collaborative initiative established in December 2009 by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA). However, these interventions have not helped to reduce the number.

    Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable newborn healthcare

    During the announcement of the 2023 Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Prize for Science – Innovations, a video demonstration of the winning respiratory technologies for newborns by Prof Amadi consists of a solar energy-powered non-invasive Neonatal Ventilator, an Oxygen Delivery Blender System, and an Oxygen Splitter System.

     The innovations have been verified by various Nigerian hospitals, having undergone testing, and shown to be cost-effective, when compared to available alternatives.

     Amadi’s technology called “PoliteheartCPAP” is an improvement to an existing/imported non-invasive neonatal ventilator model, as it provides access to ventilators and oxygen delivery simultaneously to neonates at an extremely reduced cost of N750,000 as against N6.5million for the existing device with comparable and better efficiency.

     In the wake of the win, President Bola Tinubu while congratulating Prof Amadi was delighted and said “Amadi’s innovation has already reduced neonatal care costs significantly and saved lives in verified hospitals that have adopted the use of the solar-powered neonatal ventilator.”

     He, therefore, commenced Amadi, “for leveraging his extensive background in medical engineering and technology, with a special focus on affordable medical systems for the betterment, progress and benefit of Nigerians.”

     According to Amadi, his newborn technology is the right sustainable frugal technology and procedure for saving newborns’ lives.

     It is built in a way that even a trained nurse in a rural health centre can operate it without the presence of a consultant or specialist.

     “The best way to solve the problem of neonatology in Nigeria – knowing that over 66% of the needy babies seeking intervention are located around primary and secondary centres was to create what I call a ‘newsroom’.

     “I created it in a local centre, which doesn’t require a professor or a big consultant. It just requires a basic knowledgeable nurse, medical officer and assistant, to operate. So, the devices I create would be devices that could be easily used. These devices are like the PoliteheartCPAP machine. Ventilating a baby or doing proper scientific-grade respiratory support is a high-class medicine. But I have brought it to the lowest state, where a basic nurse would be able to treat a baby with such a machine and deliver life to that baby. Therefore, it is necessary to create devices that would enable them to manage neonates in faraway hinterlands.

     “In my practice, I have identified all the contributors to the high neonatal mortality rate in Nigeria, including dysfunctional buildings in the context of neonatal safety. I have published extensively because I have identified and studied all the problems. I have discussed the aetiology of so many of the problems and I have created solutions. So, it is either this generation of Nigerians would look into what I have provided and solve the problem, or the next generation would do it. My happiness is that I have published everything and it is in the public domain,” Prof Amadi said.

    QUOTE

    Improvements in health, such as increases in life expectancy at birth and reduction in child mortality rates have great potential to raise economic growth in such regions. Ensuring access to high-quality, affordable newborn health care is critical to building healthier, more equitable communities. This is because good health is an important factor in the economic and social development process in that it enhances the efficiency of labour and increases savings

  • NESI reviews challenges’ 10 years after

    NESI reviews challenges’ 10 years after

    • Seeks cost-reflective tariff

    From President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assessment, the privatised Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) has performed below expectations in the past 10 years. But stakeholders in the industry have blamed the horrifying scorecard on the lack of a cost-reflective tariff that has starved them of cash for investment and operations, reports JOHN OFIKHENUA

    Unequivocally, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dropped a chilling verdict of underperformance to the operator of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) after a decade of their takeover. Declaring open the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Market Participants and Stakeholders’ Roundtable in Abuja, Special Adviser to the President on Energy and Power Infrastructure, Office of the Vice-President, Mr Sodiq Wanka, who represented him, submitted that the operators have not met the objectives of privatisation. He described how deplorable the state of the sector has been in the period under review. Tinubu said: “Ten years on, I believe it is fair to say that the objectives of privatising the sector have, by and large, not been met. Over 90 million Nigerians lack access to electricity. The national grid only serves about 15 per cent of the country’s demand. This has left households and factories to rely on expensive self-generation, which supplies a staggering 40 per cent of the country’s demand. “What is worse is that the total amount of electricity that can be wheeled through the national grid has remained relatively flat in the past 10 years. The grid capacity has increased from just over 3000MW to typically just over 4,000MW currently. This is against a 40,000MW target by 2020 that the Federal Government had set pre-privatisation.” Also admitting that the companies have failed to live up to expectations, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu vowed that their performance will be a factor in the renewal of their licensees. He insisted that “renewal of license is not automatic.”

     One of the salient points that unanimously re-echoed in the roundtable was the clamour for the cost-reflective tariff. The gathering was essentially targeted at taking stock of how far the industry has fared 10 years after its privatisation. Aside from the transmission, generation and distribution of power were handed over to the private investors in November 2013. While the Federal Government holds a 40 per cent equity stake in the 11 electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), it divested 60 per cent to private operators. From the handover to date, the electricity market has not operated maximally in line with the Power Purchase Agreements the parties entered into because of political interference and socio-economic drawbacks. To this end, the Federal Government has always subsidised the cost of electricity with different Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) interventions. As Chairman of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Dr. Alex Okoh pointed out; the Federal Government has also initiated a series of interventions targeted at improving the technical, operational and financial positions of the Discos. He said these include the Power Sector Recovery Programme; CBN interventions, including Opex and CAPEX loan facilities; the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme in collaboration with the World Bank; National Mass Metering Programme and the Presidential Power Initiative. On the whole, the Federal Government has reportedly intervened in the industry with over N7 trillion. For instance, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in its second quarter 2023 financial report revealed that the government in that quarter subsidised the consumption of the utility with N135 billion.

     Following the 2005 Electric Power Sector Reform Act and the 2023 Electricity Act, the NESI should embark on biannual minor reviews of the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO). In addition, the commission is expected to carry out its extraordinary review of the tariff review in due course. On its own, the commission said under procedures set out in Section 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission adopted the Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) methodology for electricity pricing in Nigeria, which sets out the basis and pricing principles and procedures for effecting minor and major reviews of electricity tariffs in Nigeria.

     NERC said: “The MYTO provides a tariff path for the electricity industry, with biannual minor reviews to take into account the impact of changes in a limited number of parameters (specific inflation, US Dollar exchange rate to Naira, natural gas price and available generation capacity) and major reviews every five years when all other inputs are reviewed with stakeholders.” Section 9 of the Regulation on Procedures for Electricity Tariff Reviews in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry,” says “NERC allows for Extraordinary Tariff Review in instances where the utilities can demonstrate that industry parameters have changed from those used in the operating tariffs to such an extent that a review is required urgently to maintain industry viability.”

     However, the commission’s arms are always tied when the need to review the tariff mostly due to some economic and political considerations. While the government chooses to bear the burden of subsidising electricity consumption in the country, it cries out most often about the unbearable weight of the payment on its shoulders.

    Last year, the former Minister of Finance and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed revealed that the government had quietly exited the electricity subsidy regime. Thus, the commission’s report of the record of electricity subsidy in the second quarter of 2023 was irreconcilable. As the government is overburdened to a snapping point with the subsidy and its refusal to allow a cost-reflective, it has become difficult for the operators to implement their Performance Improvement Plans (PIP). This has culminated in low investment in Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) of the different power firms. On this note, President Tinubu, operators, of NERC and Civil Society Organisations at the roundtable, insisted on a cost-reflective tariff. Tinubu opted for a review of the tariff to know the exact current cost of the utility. This, according to him, ascertaining the cost will lead to adequate cost recovery for investment. He stressed the need for the appreciation of the shortfalls in the market and the measures to finance them. The President also insisted that the sector must establish its debts to the different stakeholders and how to defray them. He hinted that the reconciliation exercise is already in the pipeline.  His words: “We need to have a clear plan to re-base tariffs. So, we recognise the real costs and loss levels of the entire value chain, and we allow for adequate cost recovery for investments. We need to be clear on what shortfalls are and how we will finance them. There must be a clear path to extinguishing historic sector debts to various value chain stakeholders. A reconciliation exercise in this regard is already underway.” Similarly, Adelabu called for the injection of liquidity into the NESI. He observed that liquidity is the fulcrum around which the industry revolves. Stressing the essence of liquidity in the business, he insisted that the industry cannot attract investment or record improvement without liquidity. He said: “The Federal Government has been intervening in many programmes to bring in liquidity to the sector. Liquidity is the name of the game from generation to distribution to transmission to distribution… If you do not have liquidity, you cannot invest in infrastructure. You cannot improve in the last line connection.” The illiquidity in the industry was explicitly captured in Tinubu’s view as he dropped the hint that the 11 DisCos are undercapitalised to the tune of N2 trillion. He called for the recapitalisation of the distribution firms. He was emphatic that those who were issued with licences must have the financial muscles in addition to technical muscles to cope in the industry. Tinubu said: “We have to create an environment where the worst performers do not continue to drag the sector down. All those who were issued with licences must not only have the technical capacity to deliver on their licence but must also have the financial muscle to invest and grow their operations. “Preliminary analysis shows that the DisCos today are undercapitalised to the tune of close to N2 trillion. We must facilitate a reorganisation and a recapitalisation process that brings in new partners and new capital to jumpstart performance in this critical section of the value chain.” At the heart of liquidity in the sector, is metering, which is required to measure consumption of the energy. Again, investment in metering has been low due to a lack of finance in the sector. While Adelabu observed that “you cannot measure without metering,” the President revealed that only around 45 per cent of NESI customers are metered currently, with wide variations across DisCos. He added that “the scale of investment needed to meter current and new customers and replace obsolete meters is not trivial. The government is committed to supporting the metering drive through the World Bank Distribution Sector Recovery Programme (DISREP) which should add at least 1.25 million meters, while activating the Meter Acquisition Fund to procure another four million meters. But we must also realise that long-term sustainable metering should be within the remit of DisCos and their partners.” Meanwhile, the Director-General of the BPE Dr. Alex Okoh reminded the stakeholders how illiquidity has held down the industry in the last 10 years owing to tariff shortfall. He said: “Bear in mind that post-privatisation, there were years of mutual non-performance by both the private sector and public entities, huge market and tariff shortfalls, creating a huge liquidity problem and an imposing debt profile in the market, and other issues such as severe lack of investments, invariably creating a complex web of challenges which now face the sector.” The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abass Tajudeen noted that despite the efforts made by the legislature over the years to enact legislation that provides legal support for the operations of the power sector, numerous challenges persist. In response to these challenges, according to the Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Victor Nwokolo, who represented him the 10th House of Representatives has prioritised the power sector in its Legislative Agenda. The Speaker further explained that the aim was to address issues such as insufficient generation and transmission capacity, energy theft, inefficient distribution, tariffs, and corruption, among others. “The House will equally prioritise investments in the transmission and distribution infrastructure to reduce technical and non-technical losses; decentralise energy productions by promoting off-grid solutions, especially in rural areas where grid connectivity is challenging: strengthen legislation to increase penalties for energy theft, meter tampering and vandalism of energy infrastructure; adopt legislative measures to promote renewable energy through tax incentives, grants for investments in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro and mandate regular and transparent audits of all entities in the energy sector to curb corruption in the industry.”

     Abass revealed that the House recently directed its Committee on Power to investigate the Federal government’s financial interventions for the power sector since the privatisation in 2013.  This inquiry, he said, has become imperative due to persistent complaints from the Distribution Companies (DisCos) about revenue generation and collection, despite the government injecting N7 trillion into the sector. From the private sector perspective, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited (MESL) also sought a cost-reflective tariff in the industry.  The company took over and has operated the Kainji and Jebba Hydro Power Plants for 10 years.

     Thus, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Col. Sani Bello (rtd} noted that the bane of the industry is the lack of a cost-reflective tariff that should have afforded liquidity to the industry. He also said there is a need to criminalise energy theft to deter the perpetrators. The chairman noted that non-payment of electricity bills was affecting the industry. He urged the government agencies to endeavour to pay their bills. His words: “The major challenge we continue to tackle today is the lack of cost-reflective tariff that will provide sustainable liquidity for the entire value chain. “There should be strengthening of laws and enforcement of these laws that will criminalise and deter energy theft as well as non-payment of electricity bills. “We also implore that all arms of government and government agencies should also pay all their invoices to the NESI.”  Besides, the chairman said, multiple taxations, and levies on the value chain have hindered the growth of the industry and prevented the inflow of investments to the sector. Bello said the ever-present liquidity challenge exacerbated by inflation and a dearth of foreign currency continues to affect industry operations. On the electricity market situation, the former Managing Director of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) Plc, Adeoye Adeniyi attributed the failure to improve power supply to customers to a lack of cash flow. Similarly, the Country Director of the Energy Market and Rates Consultant Limited (EMRC), Mrs Rahila Thomas said since less than 45 per cent of customers are metered in the market, they have become so sensitive to constant increases in tariffs. According to her, (Aggregate Technical Commercial and Collection Losses (ATC and C) are one of the major variables driving up tariff costs in the market. She called for a balance between what the NERC proposes and the market realities. Her words:  “Every six months, the regulator is expected to review the tariff using economic indices to bring pricing to market level. Some of these variables are inflation, forex and generation capacity.

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    “A review ought to have happened in July and the realities in inflation and forex mean tariff ought to have gone up but for political reasons, this hasn’t been done. The government is now paying subsidies that have amounted to N3.34 trillion. Out of that, the government has paid N2.8 trillion to support tariff.” The Chairman of Mojec Meters Limited, Chantelle Abdul admitted meter provision as the responsibility of the distribution firms. On the other hand, she said financial challenges in the sector have constrained the DisCos from providing the meters accordingly. The Mojec boss said: “There are about 10 million customers in need of meters; seven million customers without meters and three million with old meters that need to be replaced. The cost to finance that is about $1.5 billion. “We are talking about opening up the market and whether the regulator should be regulating the price of meters. Most of the customers are poor and won’t be able to pay for meters.” She noted that it will be difficult to rely solely on the government intervention for funding or intervention.  According to her, there is a need to develop a bankable proposition, and that requires a cost-reflective tariff and the right pricing of meters.” For the time being, Sage Consulting and Communications Limited’s lead Consultant/CEO, Mr. Bode Fadipe, who spoke with The Nation from a Civil Society Organisation point of view said for obvious reasons, the issue of tariff will continue to attract attention not just because it is a moving target but also because it is the principal and only channel for recovery of revenue for reinvestment in the sector. Fadipe, who is the former AEDC Public Affairs General Manager, said the tariff issue is critical.

     “To the extent of the fact that the investor is not a charity organisation, his continuous stay in the market is driven majorly by the fact that he wants to see a light of sight for the recovery of his investment. Not being a government that has a welfare responsibility, the funds invested in the business must return to him with a reasonable profit margin.” The former spokesman added that on the flip side of a cost-reflective tariff is also a service-based tariff. He described it as a different phenomenon that will continue to engage stakeholders in the NESI. Continuing, he said: “The issue is, therefore, a case of position. For as long as the price of the electron that flows through the wire is determined by forces of demand and supply, the call for a cost-reflective tariff will continue to engage the attention of the stakeholders. While affordability has also become an issue, another school of thought hold the view that the right pricing should be ensured until such an extent that only those who can afford it enjoy the service and thereafter, part of the profit is used to develop other areas of the market.”  

  • Dino Melaye: What manner of politician?

    Dino Melaye: What manner of politician?

    The Kogi State flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Dino Melaye, is a controversial politician. Despite the controversies surrounding him, he remains a popular figure in Nigerian politics. But, he appears to be more popular on social media, where he has a massive following. Following his dismal performance in last Saturday’s governorship election , where he never exercised the right to vote for himself, Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI catalogues some of the controversies that he has courted during his political career

    Not a few supporters and members of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in last Saturday’s governorship in Kogi State, Senator Dino Melaye, were disappointed that he opted to stay away from his Polling Unit 04, Iluafon Quarters, Ayetoro Gbede, in Ijumu Local Government Area.

      A massive crowd of supporters, journalists and other independent election observers had gathered at the unit to observe the PDP flag bearer cast his ballot.

     But, according to reports, Melaye failed to show up between 8.30 am when voting commenced at the unit and 2.30 pm when accreditation of fresh voters ended. He thereby missed the opportunity to cast his ballot in an election where he was vying to govern the state. He claimed that there were massive protests at the unit, as voters refused to be accredited, insisting that the result sheets should be made available for the electoral area.

    The PDP candidate chose to indulge in a social media controversy, rather than adding to his tally by coming out to vote. He revealed in a short video that went viral on social media last Saturday as the off-season election was underway. He alleged: “The result sheets have been filled and tampered with already and people have refused to be accredited; people have refused to vote. They are insisting that the plain result sheets must be returned to agents in accordance with the electoral laws.”

    Not surprisingly, the PDP candidate came a distant third in the contest, with only 46,362 votes; trailing behind Usman Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was declared of the most election with 446,237 votes and Murtala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who came second with 259,052 votes.

    Both Ajaka and Melaye rejected the declaration of Ododo as the winner of the election. The SDP candidate has however indicated that he would not approach the court to contest the outcome of the election because it would be an effort in futility. Melaye, on his part, has called for the annulment of the election due to extensive rigging allegedly facilitated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The PDP candidate who spoke at a press conference in Lokoja, the Kogi State capital, on Sunday, criticised the conduct of the entire exercise, characterizing it as “disgraceful and detrimental”.

    No stranger to controversy:

    Not many Nigerians were surprised at the behaviour of Melaye last Saturday because he is not a stranger to controversy. He once admonished Nigerians never to be afraid of controversy as it is the road to greatness. He had reportedly taken to his X handle (then known as Twitter) in March 2021 to urge Nigerians not to be afraid of being controversial.

    In April 2018, Melaye jumped out of a police van to try and escape custody. This landed him in hospital. The news was everywhere that he had jumped from a moving police van.

    The ex-lawmaker said no breakthrough or advancement had ever been made in science, politics or religion without controversy. He wrote: “No breakthrough or advancement has ever been made in science, politics, or religion, without controversy.”

    He would be remembered for a long time to come because of the series of controversies he has been involved in.

    He is well known for his social media antics and singing songs taunting his political rivals.

    He loves the finer things in life. His Instagram profile features pictures of him posing in designer boutiques wearing bright-coloured trainers and tight jeans, or in front of a row of luxury cars.

    A leopard and its spots:

    He came to the national limelight in 2007 after he was first elected into the National Assembly. Melaye had exchanged blows with two of his colleagues, barely four months after he was elected into the House of Representatives to represent Kabba/Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency of Kogi State. This was at the time the then Speaker, Mrs Patricia Etteh, was accused of awarding an N628 million contract to renovate her official residence and that of her deputy, Babangida Nguroje, in Apo Legislators’ Quarters, Abuja.

    This happened on September 20, 2007, at a public sitting of the David Idoko-led panel that investigated the alleged contract award. At that hearing, Melaye, a first-time lawmaker went into physical combat with Emmanuel Jime (Benue) and Samuel Sejoro (Lagos); a development that forced the panel to adjourn sitting for that day. The disagreement escalated when Idoko invited Mrs Etteh to the witness box to explain her role in the contract saga.

    According to reports, as the Speaker moved to the box, Melaye who had a few weeks earlier appointed the chairman of the House Committee on Information and National Orientation and some other supporters cheered and clapped. However, Jime, a member of the self-styled ‘Integrity Group’ got enraged and shouted “ole, ole” (meaning thief, thief). This angered Melaye who jumped up and got engaged in a verbal exchange with Jime that later degenerated into fisticuffs.

    Read Also:BREAKING: Dino Melaye loses local government to APC in Kogi

    Spat with Senator Tinubu:

    Melaye had during a closed-door session in July 2016 threatened to beat up a female colleague, Oluremi Tinubu, on the floor of the Senate. At the time, Senator Tinubu, now First Lady, was the lawmaker representing Lagos Central Senatorial District in the upper legislative chamber. This was even though both of them were elected on the same APC platform. The two federal lawmakers clashed after the then Kogi West senator urged the Senate to deal with its members who had offered to serve as prosecution witnesses in the forgery case against the then Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

    Melaye had reportedly accused the senators of working for the Presidency to undermine the upper legislative chamber. He said: “You should go and tell those who sent you that nobody, no matter who he is, can control this Senate.”

    When Senator Tinubu rose to speak, according to reports, the Lagos Central lawmaker expressed disappointment with Melaye whom she accused of always threatening people. She added: “I think he needs to know that senators here represents their constituencies and that there is no need to threaten anyone. We are seeking and working towards reconciliation; yet, you are busy issuing threats.”

    At this point, the then Kogi lawmaker jumped up from his seat and charged towards Senator Tinubu, saying: “Look, this is not Bourdillon (referring to the Lagos residence of the Tinubus). I will beat up..”

    But, for the intervention of other lawmakers, particularly from the Southwest geo-political zone, Melaye could have physically and mentally attacked Mrs Tinubu.

    Melaye denied the claim. Mrs Tinubu later said she forgave Mr Melaye but added that she would not be intimidated by anybody.

    Later, Melaye came to Bourdillon. He walked through the street. In a video, he boasted that nobody can arrest or molest him.

    Unflinching support for Saraki:

    Senator Melaye will be remembered for his unflinching support for Senator Saraki during the 8th National Assembly. His diehard support for Saraki then pitched him against the APC, the Presidency and other powerful individuals in the country.

    He seconded Saraki’s nomination as a candidate for the office of President of the Senate following a nomination made by Senator Ahmad Sani Yerima.

    On the floor of the Senate, Melaye was known for his outspokenness and criticism of the then-Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government. He was a member of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory and the Committee on Aviation, among others.

    The Kogi lawmaker was reported to have once assured his then-Kwara counterpart that he would be the last person to leave him.

    The following is what Melaye reportedly wrote on his Facebook page at the time: “My brother and friend, Sen. Bukola Saraki. if you have one trillion supporters, I’m one…..If you have one billion, I’m one; if you have one million, I’m one. If you have one thousand, I’m one; if you have 10, I’m one; if you have only one supporter, I’m one and if you have no single supporter, it means I’m dead. No shaking. Four years tooo sure.”

     Academic turmoil:

    In March 2017, Melaye was caught in another controversy of not graduating from Ahmadu University Zaria and Harvard University. The online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, reported that Melaye did not have a degree from Harvard University as he had previously claimed. He had only attended a week-long seminar at the elite US university.

    The ABU graduation claim was later cleared by the Vice Chancellor and for Harvard University; Melaye defended himself that anyone who had attended an institution and received a certificate was a graduate.

    Confrontation with Bello:

    In April 2017, Melaye accused Kogi State’s Governor Yahaya Bello of being responsible for a failed assassination attempt on his life. The Kogi governor and Melaye were both members of the APC then, but frequently clash in what many see as a struggle for control of the state.

    Melaye has posted videos on social media of himself singing songs taunting the Kogi governor, earning him the nickname of the “singing senator”.

    The Federal Government later took Melaye to court for allegedly providing false information about the alleged assassination attempt on his life.

    Attempted recall:

    Melaye fought to save his political future when his constituents sought to recall him from the National Assembly in 2017 by challenging the process of the attempted recall. The petition of almost 200,000 voters, submitted in July 2017 had demanded his dismissal. The petition cited his “poor performance”. It also accused the senator of being un-reachable, because he had distanced himself from his constituents.

    Melaye argued that the signatures were not from Kogi West voters. Following a verification exercise, INEC confirmed that only 5.34 per cent of the signatures were of registered voters in his Kogi West constituency.

    The threshold of verified signatures needed for a recall to be successful is 51 per cent.

    Drama with DSS:

    After he was forcefully moved from the Police Hospital in Abuja to the Department of State Security Services (DSS) medical facility still within Abuja, Melaye created a scene by refusing to enter the main building of the DSS centre. Instead, he took a position on the floor within the premises and demanded from the security operatives the reason for bringing him to the DSS medical facility. Melaye refused to enter the hospital and decided to stay put on the bare floor in the compound of the hospital.

    Melaye was taken from the Police Hospital in Abuja on Friday, January 11 to the DSS facility. However, the senator said he would not enter the facility until he was told why he was moved from the previous hospital.

    Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood said the senator was moved from the police clinic to the facility after he and the police disagreed over his fitness to face trial. Police had indicated that the lawmaker was fit to stand trial, but Melaye insisted he needed more time to recuperate after suffering an earlier asthma attack when he turned himself into the police.

    The police had wanted Melaye to stand trial over allegations of his culpability in the attack on an officer in July 2018.

    A ‘Nollywood’ figure:

    The embattled Melaye has a  penchant for comedy. In one of his dramatic video clips which he uploaded on YouTube, Melaye is seen saying: “You speak the truth, you die, and you refuse to speak the truth you die; I have chosen to speak the truth and die. In another clip, he led a group of PDP protesting chieftains to INEC headquarters where he invoked “Holy Ghost Fire” on the commission if they failed to conduct a free and fair election.

    He achieved a new milestone when in December 2021 he played a leading role in a film titled, “Lemonade”.

    The politician who has also featured in songs showed off his acting skills in the movie. He acted alongside established names like Mofe Duncan, Kunle Remi, Linda Osifo and others.

    Stylish royal regalia:

    His unique sartorial taste, usually in blue Aso-Oke, with an orange cap knitted with beads to the upper chamber is one unusual thing about Melaye that the Red Chamber will live to remember.

    Senators, including his rivals used to shout: “Babalawo”, “Kabiyesi” and “masquerade,” from all corners, whenever the singing senator walked into the upper legislative chamber. Senator Peter Nwaboshi (PDP, Delta North) once raised a point of order, saying Melaye was not properly dressed, “he dresses like Babalawo”.

    Groundnut hawker:

    Melaye’s picture hawking groundnut was once on the internet, which generated a lot of interest depicting him as a personality that likes drawing attention to himself. In the picture which also appeared on YouTube, he was seen hawking groundnuts on the streets, a scene that attracted public attention.

    Melaye was born on January 1, 1974, in Kano. He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography in 2000. He furthered his education by earning a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy from the same institution in 2002.

    He is from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.

  • We’re witnessing a decline in new HIV infections, by NACA DG

    We’re witnessing a decline in new HIV infections, by NACA DG

    Over the past few years, Nigeria has made remarkable strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS – identifying cases, providing treatment and pioneering innovative solutions to combat the disease. In this exclusive interview, the Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr Gambo Aliyu, delved into Nigeria’s HIV management and control strategies, the transformative initiatives undertaken and the vision that propels the nation toward an HIV-free future. From local manufacturing of essential medications to empowering communities through awareness campaigns, Dr Aliyu discussed the state of HIV control in Nigeria, HIV Trust Fund, HIV self-test kit and other germane issues. He spoke with Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF. Excerpts:-

    Why Nigeria hosted West and Central African HIV prevention workers

    The gathering aims to unite champions and probation experts for a collaborative exchange of ideas and knowledge. With representatives from every state in addition to our own team from Nigeria, the goal is to foster a fruitful dialogue. By sharing insights and experiences, we hope to recognise effective strategies, not only within our nation but also in the broader regional context. This collective effort will help us identify successful approaches that merit continued focus, while also guiding us in re-evaluating methods that may need adjustment as we move toward the year 2030.

     This meeting serves as a platform for probation experts and champions to come together and exchange ideas, despite the fact that we should have convened much earlier in our respective countries. We all face challenges and successes in our individual efforts. The sooner we start sharing these experiences, the better for all of us. Those embarking on new initiatives can learn from the mistakes of those who started earlier, avoiding similar pitfalls. Similarly, those who have achieved rapid progress in certain areas can share their successes, guiding newcomers on the same path to cost-effectiveness. These discussions should have been an integral part of our programme from the beginning, but the realisation has come a bit late. However, as we are nearing the year-end, it’s crucial for us to intensify our efforts. As challenges decrease, our expectations to contribute more or innovate further will increase.

     We aim to learn from their (other African countries) experiences, particularly in reaching out to adolescents and young people. Understanding their methods of communication and how they generate demand among this demographic is crucial. Engaging and connecting with them is at the core of our agenda. Additionally, we have an existing programme that we fear might not be sustainable in the long run. Many programmes face this challenge over time; they need to be integrated back into the mainstream. As we contemplate reintegrating our standalone programme into the mainstream, we seek insights from those who have already successfully mainstreamed their programmes. Understanding their achievements and the hurdles they faced will guide us in addressing similar challenges. One specific programme we have is focused on providing comprehensive healthcare services for the adolescent and young population. This programme operates as a centre for adolescents nationwide, ensuring maximum privacy, confidentiality, and protection of rights. However, with the approaching year 2030, sustaining standalone facilities might not be feasible. We grapple with questions about how to seamlessly reintegrate these services into the mainstream. Our concerns revolve around maintaining privacy, ensuring confidentiality, eradicating stigmatisation and discrimination, and safeguarding the rights of the individuals seeking our services. Learning from others’ experiences in this realm is vital as we navigate these challenges.

    The state of HIV management and control in Nigeria

    Nigeria has made significant strides in the past four years, especially in identifying cases and linking individuals to HIV treatment. Our efforts have been bolstered by a meticulous tracking mechanism, ensuring that every HIV-positive individual who receives treatment is accounted for. This approach marks a substantial departure from the past, allowing us to monitor progress, address treatment issues promptly, and prevent the virus from spreading further. Thanks to these efforts, we have witnessed a decline in new HIV infections, hospitalisations related to HIV and AIDS-related deaths.

     However, our primary challenge remains consistent over the past four decades: stigma and discrimination. The fear of social exclusion prevents many from seeking HIV testing and treatment. Breaking this cycle of fear and prejudice is essential to our mission. We urge the community to embrace individuals living with HIV, treat them with compassion, and encourage them to seek treatment without fear of judgment. By fostering an environment of acceptance and support, we can empower people to come forward, get tested, and access necessary treatments. We acknowledge the progress we’ve made and the hurdles we’ve overcome, but the battle against HIV is far from over. Our focus now is to eradicate stigma and discrimination entirely. The government cannot achieve this alone; it requires the cooperation of every citizen. By providing transportation assistance to those in need, encouraging them to adhere to their medication regimens, and showing empathy and understanding, we can ensure that people living with HIV receive the care they deserve. Additionally, we have made HIV medication more accessible than ever before, with over 2000 centers across the country offering free treatment. We encourage everyone to come forward, get tested, and avail themselves of these services. By demanding HIV services, individuals can protect themselves and others, contributing significantly to our goal of ending HIV and AIDS by 2025. We are confident that with continued dedication and community involvement, Nigeria will achieve the 95-95-95 target by 2025, a significant step toward a future without the burden of HIV and AIDS.

    Read Also: NACA engages African regional stakeholders to improve HIV prevention services

    Local manufacturing of HIV drugs and self-test kits

    Our ongoing discussions with prominent pharmaceutical companies revolve around a crucial topic: local manufacturing of HIV drugs. It’s heartening to note that the Global Fund and the United States have shown keen interest in promoting this initiative. Incentives are being offered to companies, either those already manufacturing or those on the verge of starting production. These incentives serve as a catalyst for change, transforming the landscape from what it was several years ago. In the past, large pharmaceutical companies hesitated to manufacture locally. They preferred supplying drugs to Nigeria from abroad, thereby reaping significant profits. However, our vision for the future is different. We want these companies to establish manufacturing facilities within our borders. This approach not only ensures timely access to essential drugs but also generates employment opportunities for our citizens. By manufacturing drugs locally, we create jobs, pay taxes to the government, and bolster the nation’s economy. The impact of this shift became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic. While we managed to procure medications, global disruptions in logistics and supply chains delayed their delivery. If these drugs were manufactured domestically, we could have swiftly obtained them, ensuring a more efficient response to the crisis. Furthermore, local manufacturing aligns with our principle of maximising the benefits meant for Nigeria. When funds are allocated for our country, we aim to extract every advantage, empowering our people, boosting our economy, and securing the healthcare needs of our citizens. This initiative not only ensures a stable supply of HIV drugs but also paves the way for a self-sufficient healthcare ecosystem, enhancing our resilience in the face of future challenges.

     The strides we’ve made in HIV testing are truly remarkable. Today, you can comfortably sit in your room, conduct a test, and know your status without leaving your home. You have the freedom to choose where you receive treatment, and we’re here to assist you in that choice. There have been significant advancements in treatment methods. In some places, instead of daily medication, individuals have the option to receive injections every two or three months. We aim to improve this further, offering alternatives for those who prefer injections over oral medication. These injections can be administered every few months, providing a convenient option for long-term treatment. We’re closely observing the outcomes of these methods in other regions to learn from their experiences and adapt these approaches to our system. These innovations are already available in our communities. If you ask those around you, they might have one of these kits with them. We distribute them widely during our meetings to create awareness. Your role as members of the press is crucial here; by showcasing these advancements through your articles and images, you contribute significantly to raising awareness among our population. We’re actively working to make these kits more accessible. Currently, we’re focus ng on specific populations, especially those at higher risk. As acceptance grows, these kits will become readily available in pharmacies, allowing anyone to walk in, purchase one, and conduct a test in the privacy of their home.

    Funding for HIV prevention and HIV Trust Fund

    The primary funding for HIV programmes in Nigeria comes from sources such as the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund. We are currently working on ensuring the authorisation for continued funding after 2025, hoping that the efforts will be successful. However, in the event of challenges with the authorisation, we are preparing to strategise. We are considering how to maintain essential services with the limited resources available, including government funds, global funding, and contributions from local donors. To address this concern, we initiated discussions approximately two years ago, leading to the establishment of the HIV Trust Fund of Nigeria. The goal was to engage the private sector and encourage states to take a proactive role in response efforts. While the Trust Fund operates independently from the government, it is driven by the private sector. We communicate our needs to them, and based on their resources, they determine the extent to which they can support these requirements. Several pledges have been made, and we are actively pursuing their fulfillment. Additionally, individuals have made generous donations, which continue to come in. We urge people to learn more about the HIV Trust Fund and consider contributing. Donations, regardless of the amount, are welcomed and will be utilized to provide vital services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. You don’t need to be a billionaire to make a meaningful impact; every contribution matters and will be put to good use.

    Message for Nigerians as season of festivities draws nearer

    My message is one of gratitude to the Nigerian people. We are deeply thankful for the remarkable acceptance and response to HIV services in our country. Over the past four years, we have witnessed positive changes in communities, largely due to the proactive engagement of Nigerians with our HIV programmes. I want to urge my fellow Nigerians, especially those living with HIV, to continue their commendable efforts. Keep visiting our healthcare facilities for regular check-ups and to access the medications provided. It’s crucial not only for your well-being but also for the safety of your loved ones. For those who are unaware of their HIV status, I implore you to actively join our fight against HIV. Your contribution begins with a simple act: get tested. Knowing your HIV status is a powerful step in preventing the spread of the virus. If you are HIV-positive, please ensure you don’t transmit it to others; keep the virus contained within yourself. This responsible action is what we encourage every Nigerian to embrace. And for those who are HIV-negative, continue to protect yourself and others by getting tested regularly. Together, we can make a significant difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Let us stand united in our efforts to create a healthier, safer future for all.

  • Day of land grabbers in Lagos community

    Day of land grabbers in Lagos community

    Ibasa Ijegun-Egba in Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) is a community known for peace and tranquillity. It was created out of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area 20 years ago. The community with seven wards has not witnessed any form of rumpus until October 27, when the peaceful community was invaded by police personnel and land grabbers. The community leaders have appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector-General of Police to come to their aid, CHINAKA OKORO reports

    For 20 years, Bisi and Ajagun have been neighbours in the Ibasa Ijegun-Egba in the Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    Bisi builds local boats while Ajagun specialises in fishing nets. They have not noticed any form of disturbance in the riverside community, which has witnessed all-round peace since it became part of Oriade LCDA when it was created in 2003.

    Ibasa is a community known for peace and tranquillity and has seven wards which are Abule-Osun, Agboju, Ibeshe, Ijegun-Egba, Irede, Kirikiri and Kuje.

    Its peaceful mien was, however, shattered on Friday, October 27, when some members of the community alleged that police personnel and land grabbers invaded their land.

    The residents have cried out that their area was allegedly invaded by police personnel from Zone 2 and land grabbers over unverified allegations.

    In a chat with reporters, the residents stated that since the invasion of the town and their markets, peace had eluded the community.

     Narrating his experience, Chief Tajudeen Ibikunle, the Baale of Ibasa Ijegun-Imore Community, said he was sleeping in his house when some hoodlums and police came to arrest him that Friday.

     “They took me to Police Command at Onikan and locked me up.

     “I was released on Saturday with the help of Oba Afeez Oriyomi Shittu, Adeyemi1, Agbojojoye II Olu of Ibasa, Ijegun-Egba land, who came to bail some of us that were in the cell.”

     He added that upon his return, he discovered that “hoodlums had taken over all axes of my community in Ijegun and were disturbing the peace of the land.”

     He said: “Getting back home on Saturday, I discovered that hoodlums had taken over all axis of my community in Ijegun and continued to disturb the peace of the land.

    “They blocked everywhere and were beating and harassing people, even as they claimed to have taken over the community.

    “We appeal to the Lagos State Government to intervene now because I cannot even access my palace because the hoodlums would not allow me to gain access to my palace,” he said.

    Narrating her ordeal in the hands of the police, a resident of Ijegun-Egba, Mrs Omolara Alebiosu said she, with her three children, was arrested, even as she said she could not fathom the reason for her arrest.

    She also said: “About 50 hoodlums, some of whom wore masks, used me and my children as punching bags and forced us into their vehicle.

    “We were taken to Ikeja before someone called them on the phone to take us to Zone 2 Onikan.

    “They locked us up in a cell on Friday while the traditional ruler came on Saturday to bail some of us while others were released the following Monday.

    “When we returned home, we discovered that the land grabbers were everywhere in the community. They harassed us and even told us that the town belongs to them,” she said.

    The Chairman of the Youth of Ibasa Ijegun-Egba Satellite Community Mr Kareem Idowu noted that some individuals had written a petition against the community.

    According to him, the petitioner said youths of the area were involved in bunkering, and malicious damage of their property and are threatening marketers with guns.

    Debunking the claim, Idowu said all were lies, even as he added that he expected the police to do a proper investigation before invading their community for arrests.

    “There was nothing like bunkering in our community because one can’t even go near the pipeline because of the presence of naval personnel.

    “The community was trying to rebuild the Ogun Shrine to give it a befitting status for the imminent festival.

    “Also, no youth wielded any guns, either at the market or in any other part of Ijegun-Egba. We are law-abiding citizens.

    “The police should have done some investigations before invading our community. Now, many people have been arrested and detained.”

    Read Also: Residents appeal to Sanwo-Olu over land grabbers

    The youth leader could not come to terms with the rationale behind police invading their community in the company of those he called land grabbers.

    He said: “Again, we don’t understand why the police should involve the land grabbers on this issue. Many thugs have been tormenting the residents; claiming that they have taken over our property in Ijegun-Egba.

    “We are law-abiding citizens and have a paramount ruler installed by the Lagos State Government.

    “Currently, nobody can go to the market or anywhere else. The unfortunate situation has affected the economic situation of the area’s people.

    “We appeal to the Lagos State Government to intervene and restore normalcy to our communities as we now live in fear.”

    Another resident of the Ibasa Ijegun-Egba, Bukky Ishola, who is the daughter of the Iyaloja-General of Ijegun-Egba Market, said the market was also invaded by the hoodlums who took advantage of the unpleasant situation to steal, harass and beat up many people at the market.

     Ishola urged the federal and Lagos State governments to intervene to ensure that normalcy returns to the community. She added that the invasion had affected the socio-economic situation of the area.

     “We can’t go to the market any longer. Those who opened their shops are operating in fear that those hoodlums would descend on them at any time.

     “The government should not fold its hands and watch them kill us all,” she said.

     Chief Nurudeen Alebiosu, the Asobaloju of Ibasa Ijegun-Egba land said the hoodlums are going about with guns and machetes, stopping and extorting commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators. They beat those who are indigenous to the land.

     “We appeal to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to come to our aid in Ibasa Ijegun-Egba Community. We are no longer safe here.

    “The Inspector-General of Police should also investigate the involvement of his men in this matter.

    “Since they left on October 27, the hoodlums have taken over the town; wreaking havoc and beating the citizens,” he said.

    A trader at the Ijegun-Egba Market who sells meat, Alhaji Kazeem Salami, said they were not allowed to sell their meat as some of the hoodlums beat and sent their customers away.

    Salami called for the government’s intervention so that peace would return to the market and the community.

    Mr. Tunde Sanni, a contractor handling the construction of the Ijegun-Egba Market, said the hoodlums seized their tools and other materials and sent workers away from the project.

    According to him, it took the intervention of the Chairman of Oriade LCDA for the hoodlums to release the tools.

    “Up till now, our workers have not returned to the site because those hoodlums are still around, wreaking havoc on the town and market,” he said.

    When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Zone 2 Onikan Superintendent Hauwa Idris-Adamu said she was unaware of the incident.

    She said they have many departments in Zone 2. She also promised to find out the department in charge of the case and get back to us.

  • Lagos Traffic Radio: Enhancing gridlock reportage

    Lagos Traffic Radio: Enhancing gridlock reportage

    Lagos Traffic Radio has unveiled live feeds from cameras installed across the state by the government to bring more accurate and believable traffic updates to her listeners, writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE

    With the launch of the Live Camera Update (LCU) penultimate Thursday, Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1 FM, Africa’s first traffic-focused radio station, has taken another giant step in leveraging the state’s robust investments in technology infrastructure to deliver more travel advisory to its increasing listeners within and beyond the state.

     Determined to sustain the smart city dream of his predecessors, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has embarked on the laying of 6, 000 kilometres of fibre optics around the state in its attempt to improve internet penetration and accessibility to residents.

     Not only has it delivered 3,000 kilometres of optics, which effectively linked all government institutions and agencies, it has delivered about 300 Closed Circuit Cameras (CCTV) around the city’s strategic roads to complement its efforts at effectively “capturing real time,” developments as they happen across the state.

     In partnership with the State’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, headed by Tubosun Alake, the Lagos Traffic Radio has further deepened the bouquet of service of the government with the innovative deployment of CCTV coverage of the state to bring live feeds of traffic situations across the covered areas to its listeners.

    In other words, right from its studios, the radio station could see the state’s roads’ traffic and use it to relay travel advisory to millions of its listeners to make informed decisions about their travels or journeys even before they leave their homes.

    Read Also: How I used to hawk fruits in Lagos traffic – Singer Crayon

    How it has been

       Before the coming of Lagos Traffic Radio in 2012, residents were often at the mercy of other stations which offered traffic reports just as tokens of social service only during rush hours–mornings and evenings.

     Before this giant leap, which the station’s General Manager, Tayo Akanle admitted has taken over two years of careful planning and training, the radio station had relied on live feeds from the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) personnel posted to various road beats to relay live feeds straight to the studio, traffic situations in their various areas.

     For more robust coverage, the station also enjoys a strategic partnership with the Ogun State’s Traffic Regulations and Compliance and Enlightenment Agency (TRACE), and the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) both of which helped to cover roads, especially in the border communities lacking LASTMA’s critical presence.

     Akanle averred that the station, from inception has been partnering with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, whose officers are often referred to as “Traffic Managers” collate traffic information, while the station uses the power of radio to communicate to the public, who in turn, uses such information to plan their journey.

     This effort is also complimented by officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, TRACE Monitors in neighbouring Ogun State and motorists who also supply traffic information using the “Eyewitness Report Strategy.”

     Challenged by the need to sustain the THEMES + agenda of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, and make more robust travel information available to its listeners, the station partnered with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology to deploy the state’s huge technology to install the CCTV in travel/traffic coverage.

     Akanle believed that the live camera project would boost traffic reportage and updates including travel advisories by providing real-time traffic information for the motoring public and commuters within and outside the state.

    Corroborating his boss, the Deputy Director of Programmes and Presenter of Your Side Mirror, Victor Oteri recalled several instances where callers had given wrong information which had been relayed only for LASTMA officials on the ground to counter much later.

     Oteri believes the deployment of technology would remove such doubts and make its audience believe it more as real-time feeds from the cameras would give life situations on the roads.

     Akanle said the governor’s approval of the project has further gone to show his commitment to ensuring that citizens have accurate information that could help make informed traffic management decisions.

     He said from its studios, Traffic Radio will receive these feeds directly and translate them into real-time traffic information for commuters and motorists.

     The process of connection, he further stated, entails an initial site survey, laying of fibre cables to connect the station’s studios, termination and configuration of connection to the data centre, software installation and testing, and staff training among others.

     He said: “As part of its operational reforms towards finding a solution to traffic congestion in the state, the station birthed Motorbike Live Report in which trained Motorbike Live Reporters, give prompt and adequate information live from incident scenes across the metropolis.

     The General Manager noted that the station also explored new vistas of opportunities in a bid to expand the horizon for her teeming audience and reflect the Traffic Management and Transportation “T” pillar of the T.H.E.M.E.S PLUS agenda by introducing the provision of live reports from the waterways to encourage Lagos residents to embrace water transportation to further decongest the roads.

     Akanle hinted that “the station also provides information on flight schedules for local travellers to plan their journey, as well as shipping position on the number of ships berthing at the Ports,” adding that “due to the current realities, the station has also moved from the initial provision of 15 minutes interval for traffic updates to 10 minutes.”

     This, according to him, was achieved by re-energising the official social media platforms through the application of tried–and–tested social media strategies and home-grown initiatives, pointing out that this has greatly provided the much-needed leap in the radio’s audience on these social media platforms such as Facebook, which grew from 4,000 likes in 2019 to 76,000 likes in 2023, X (formerly Twitter) which had 15,000 followers in 2019, also grew to 56,000 followers, while live streaming has also been embraced in all the station’s programmes; thus giving its online audience a new experience as they can now view all programmes and presenters through live video from the studio.

     While inaugurating the service, Sanwo-Olu praised the Traffic Radio and its management for its commitment to driving the transportation and traffic management component of the THEMES plus agenda and for deepening the Smart City initiative by deploying cameras to road traffic coverage.

     Governor Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi said the project would further boost the administration’s determination to continue to deploy technology to drive effectiveness and efficiency in every facet of government’s operations and service delivery.

     Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said the inauguration of the ‘Live Camera Update’ will assist commuters to plan their journey and reduce their travel time drastically.

     Omotoso, under whose ministry the station is, noted that the ‘Live Camera Update’ will cover over 300 roads and highways in the state in the first instance; and this is expected to grow to about 3,000 roads shortly as more cameras are installed around the state.

     He commended the management and members of staff of the station for always thinking out of the box in their determination to bring more comfort to the people of the state who are usually stressed out in traffic.

     The Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake saluted the doggedness of the station’s General Manager for the actualisation of the project.

     Alake, who was represented by Adeyinka Sorungbe, a Director in the ministry, pledged more support for the station. He noted that more cameras will be installed in line with the THEMES Plus agenda of the state government.

  • Reframing Tinubu’s development agenda through diplomacy

    Reframing Tinubu’s development agenda through diplomacy

    During the build-up to the 2023 general elections, some dyed-in-the-wool critics of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had dismissed his policy document or manifesto as something unattainable. On assumption of office, President Tinubu unveiled a more vivid eight-point agenda to turn around the economy and make life comfortable for all Nigerians. In this piece, STANLEY NKWOCHA, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice-President) writes that efforts by the President and Vice-President to realise their dreams of pulling the country out of the woods are paying off through a flurry of economic diplomacy

    In his 80-page Renewed Hope policy document released in the build-up to the 2023 general elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu listed some action plans.

     Top on his priority lists were national security, economy, agriculture, power, oil and gas, transportation and education. He said his objective was to foster a new society based on shared prosperity, tolerance, compassion, and the unwavering commitment to handling each citizen with equal respect and due regard.

    And to ensure his campaign promises unfold into a pleasant reality, the President, at the maiden Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in August, unveiled a more vivid eight-point agenda to turn around the economy and make life comfortable for all Nigerians.

     Encapsulating the action plans in the 8-point agenda, he relisted the eight priority areas to include food security, ameliorating poverty, economic growth and job creation, access to capital, improving security, rule of law, fighting corruption and improving the playing field on which people, particularly companies operate.

     Since assuming office, President Tinubu has unleashed a flurry of economic diplomacy stemming from his notion that the prestige of any country among the comity of nations is proportionally dependent on its social and economic realities, which explains why governments around the world embark on missions to create an enabling environment to attract local and foreign investments.

     Beyond the avalanche of domestic reforms being implemented to create an investment-friendly Nigeria, the President and his deputy have also assumed the position of Nigeria’s marketers-in-chief.

     At the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held from September 20-23, 2023 where he delivered his maiden address to the General Assembly on September 20, President Tinubu shot straight, telling the world that “the greatest economy is Nigeria with immense investment opportunities.”

    He noted that Africa is not a problem to be avoided or pitied. He said: “Africa is nothing less than the key to the world’s future.”

      The Tinubu government is only five months old in office, but within this period, V-P Shettima and his boss have struck a balance never seen in this part of the globe.

     The cumulative effects of this synergy are the positive issues arising from the presidential global engagements that have continued to dominate headlines and possibly for some time to come. Some of the high-hanging fruits, which have resonated well with Nigerians, came in handy by way of the recent bumper achievements recorded by the Nigerian delegation under the leadership of President Tinubu to the 3rd Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Forum in China, as well as the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, World Food Prize 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States of America.

     In China where significant milestones in the nation’s journey towards economic prosperity were made, V-P Shettima joined world leaders from over 130 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America at the forum to deliberate on the theme “High-quality Belt and Road Cooperation: Together for Common Development and Prosperity.” The Vice-President availed Nigeria of the platform provided by the forum to woo investors for more developmental projects at high-powered bilateral meetings with other world leaders. He also promoted Nigeria’s trade and investment relations in line with the economic development agenda of the Tinubu administration.

     One of the most significant breakthroughs was China’s renewed commitment to the completion of the long-awaited Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kano and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railway projects, as well as the Lagos-Ibadan railway.

     This, economic experts believe, will not only revolutionise the country’s transportation sector but also foster regional connectivity and economic integration. Moreover, the commitments in power generation and digital economy mark crucial steps towards addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges and advancing technological innovations, crucial for sustaining long-term growth.

     The signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) valued at $2 billion, alongside the $4 billion worth of letters of intent, reflects the substantial inflow of foreign direct investment into key sectors such as technology, automotive and infrastructure, underlining the growing confidence of international partners in Nigeria’s economic potential.

     These agreements, which include partnerships with the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) and various Chinese corporations, are poised to drive job creation, technological advancements and overall economic diversification.

     Furthermore, the agreement on the construction of the Lekki Deep Blue Seaport contract is a testament to the enduring appeal of Nigeria as a premier investment destination. Such projects not only bolster Nigeria’s status as a regional economic powerhouse but also solidify its position as an industrial hub; attracting diverse industries and promoting sustainable economic growth.

    Read Also: Tinubu takes investment push, diplomatic expansion to Saudi, Arab nations

     The collaborations with renowned Chinese companies, encompassing fields such as technology, construction and communications underscore the multifaceted nature of the strengthened Nigeria-China relationship, ushering in an era of enhanced technical capabilities, infrastructure development and knowledge transfer.

    At the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue, World Food Prize 2023, in Des Moines, Iowa, United States, it was another bumper harvest, as Vice-President Shettima wooed investors from the United States and other countries.

    He said Nigeria remains the best place to invest given its 70 million hectares of underutilised arable land, which he said is 75 per cent of the country’s total land mass. He told them that, under President Tinubu’s watch, Nigeria has since demonstrated that the Agrifood sector is a top priority.

     An instant gain from the V-P’s engagement in that country was the resolve by an American company, John Deere to invest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, first by setting up a tractor assembly plant in Nigeria. The decision was taken during a meeting between V-P Shettima and top officials of the firm led by its Vice-President of Production Systems, Mr Jason Brantley.

    The meeting was facilitated by the Chairman of Flour Mills of Nigeria, Mr John Coumantaros, a long-time investor in Nigeria.

    Just as one would think it was already enough takeaways, the African Development Bank (AfDB), Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development announced at the Norman Borlaug International Dialogue that they have voted a whopping $1 billion to further deliver on the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) in 24 states of Nigeria.

     President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina said the decision to pump such huge funds was to develop SAPZs in 13 countries.

    President Tinubu’s administration’s strategic efforts to create an environment conducive to business and investment have, undoubtedly, paved the way for these remarkable achievements. The emphasis on fostering mutual international cooperation and the removal of bureaucratic bottlenecks demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to building robust partnerships that prioritise respect, mutual benefit and non-interference. These are essential pillars for sustainable global relations.

    Just as V-P Shettima told the investors in the United States that Nigeria is committed to transforming agriculture as a pathway to tackling insecurity and improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, President Tinubu is, indeed, taking the courageous decision to revamp Nigeria’s economy. There may be painful reforms as certain opposition elements are trying to project them before the citizens, but they are necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the country’s economy.

     Tony Blair, a former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, once said: “Anyone can say yes, but the hallmark of leadership is the ability to say no when you should.”

     This statement underscores the inevitability of courageous decisions in leadership, and it is a quality that President Tinubu has demonstrated in unmistakable terms.

     On the other hand, Vice-President Shettima is another leader who embodies the qualities of loyalty, courage and vision. In a country where tribalism and regionalism are often used to divide and conquer, Shettima remains a staunch believer in the unity and progress of Nigeria.

    The VP has consistently demonstrated his commitment to a united Nigeria where every citizen is treated equally, regardless of their tribe or ethnicity.

     As the country progresses on this path of growth and innovation, it is imperative to sustain this momentum, ensuring that the benefits of these partnerships are effectively harnessed for the holistic advancement of Nigeria and its people as the power of strategic alliances and international cooperation in fostering sustainable development and economic prosperity cannot be overemphasised.

    *Nkwocha can be reached on X @stanleynkwocha_

  • Dealing with the unyielding petrol market headache

    Dealing with the unyielding petrol market headache

    The phasing out of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) subsidy has saved Nigeria the embarrassment of unending queues around retail outlets as speculations of imminent pump price increase have lost the potency for triggering significant panic buying, JOHN OFIKHENUA reports

    As unstable, dreaded and persistent as the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) petrol market headache was till May 29,  this year,  Nigerians were optimistic that, at last, the removal of its subsidy would halt all the associated pain of payment of the subsidy support.

     In the coming months, the Federal Government was already heaving a sigh of relief as it saved N400 billion monthly from the courage of halting the age-long payment.

     Besides, the eye-catching reality of declining petrol consumption volume excited the government. It was an indication that the courageous phasing out of the payment paid off after all.

    Since the government also unified the exchange rates, it fascinated importers of PMS to secure licenses from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

     In a jiffy, they joined the hitherto sole importer of the product, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in the business. The operators were jubilating that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) which has since August 2021 paved the way for them to remain only at the mercy of demand and supply was eventually in force. They cheered up over the industry’s full deregulation.

    That ecstasy was, however, short-lived. Although the customers were enduring the petrol pump price of N540 per litre with the veneer of hatred, they patched along.

     As of August, market fundamentals fueled by soaring exchange rates jacked the price to N617/litre. From murmuring, this triggered audible complaints before the straw that broke the camel’s back, the news that the pump price would hit N700 per litre. However, with a listening ear, the government skillfully halted the soaring wings of the pump price hike.

     Thus, on August 15, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale said: “The President wishes to assure Nigerians, following the announcements by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), just yesterday that there will be no increase in the pump price of petroleum motor spirit anywhere in the country.

       “We repeat, the President affirms that there will be no increase in the pump price of petroleum motor spirit.”

     President Tinubu also acknowledged that there are inefficiencies within the downstream sector that are contributing to the fuel price controversy. He assured that all loopholes associated with the smooth delivery of petroleum products in the country will be addressed without delay.

     “The President also wishes to affirm that there are currently inefficiencies within the midstream and downstream petroleum sub-sectors that once very swiftly addressed and cleaned up will ensure that we can maintain prices where they are without having to resort to a reversal of this administration’s deregulation policy in the petroleum industry.”

     Consequently, this announcement edged private imports out of the business since they reasoned they would not recoup their money under a sealed pump price regime. They thus quietly quit from further petrol importation.

     Similarly, the President of the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Alhaji Yusuf Lawal Othman issued a press statement calling on the Federal Government to remove the 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) charge on the Automotive Motor Spirit (AGO). According to him, since the marketers could not hike pump prices, there was no way for an increase in haulage cost.

    His words: “This is because without looking at the pump price, marketers cannot increase transportation price. And if they do not do that, we have no choice but to continue to park. And if we continue to park, it will create unwanted disruption of supply and we don’t want that.”

     He expressed concern that the cost of operation in the face of a sealed price was unbearable, urging the government to quickly remove the VAT charge.

     Othman said: “We are talking about an immediate solution. The instant intervention is the removal of 7.5 per cent VAT on the diesel because it is increasing the cost of the diesel. NARTO is complaining that the high cost of diesel is unbearable.”

     Again, President Tinubu removed the VAT charge on diesel to ease its impact on its costs and that of petrol. Since the implementation of the PIA which abhors government regulation of petrol prices is in force, Tinubu intervenes in checkmating whatever acts as a catalyst to petrol pump price hike.

    Read Also: Motorists, residents groan as petrol sells for N630, N635 in Delta

     Despite this intervention, the petrol price still wants to surge in a hurry. It wants to slip out of control. As of early October, the marketers would not heed to the plea not to further increase the pump price. While some closed shops, others radically adjusted their pump prices above the N617/per litre. While some marketers said only N630/litre in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) could be cost-reflective, others insisted that the PIA should run its full course. In other words, petrol should sell as much as N1000/litre.

     In the next weeks, aside from the NNPCL retail outlets, only a few independent marketers could cope in the business. It was evident that the product was getting scarce. The first to cry out was the Natural Oil and Gas Supplier Association of Nigeria (NOGASA).

     Its President, Mr Benneth Korie said depots were deserted, retail outlets were shutting and petrol tanker drivers were parking their trucks down for the unsustainable cost of doing business.

     Seeking urgent government intervention to save the market from total shutdown before December, he warned that there may be no petrol in Nigeria in January should the government fail to address the challenges of reducing the cost of diesel before 2023 ends.

     He said: “NOGASA is seriously worried that between now and December this year, in the absence of government’s urgent intervention, the increasing loss of lives, businesses and jobs with the accentuation by mass shut of filling stations and packing up of petroleum tankers, all due to unattainable high cost of importation, lifting transportation and distribution of petroleum products.”

     In the meantime, as the groaning under higher prices persisted, the President of the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners’ Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Mr. Billy Harry told The Nation on the phone that accessing the product had become taxing.

     He attributed the dearth in supply to a lack of access to the product at the depots. According to him, apart from the NNPCL’s, all other tank farms were dry. The PETROAN boss also attributed the situation to difficulty in accessing foreign exchange and the transaction circle of petrol importation that takes some time.

     On why PMS was getting scarce, he said: “I said earlier that every import transaction is dollarised. And we are running an economy that is based on the Nigerian naira. So, every import must have to be equated with dollar value. The dollar value every day is eating into the naira efficiency.

     “Today, you cannot get one dollar for less than N995. So, there is no way you can have a little of the product for less than that amount and then you are not going to be able to sell above that price (N617/litre) to make a profit.

     “So, clearly, those who have been given licenses could not import if they did not have foreign exchange to back their transactions. That is just the simple reason.”

     Similarly, the National Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chief John Kekeocha explained that only NNPCL could sell the product for N617 per litre. According to him, at a point, only AYM Shafa was the only independent marketer vending the product for N617 per litre as others had hiked the prices to N619 to N625/litre. He also blamed the increase on the cost of diesel.

     He said: “In Abuja, since yesterday (Tuesday) many filling stations shutdown, including A.Y Shafa. But later in the evening, they started selling. It changed its pump to N625. I don’t know any other station that is still making sales.

    “The scarcity is because many independent marketers are not selling. And even the tank farm owners, it is only Shafa that I know who is selling. I don’t know of any other one.

     “The product is not much there and the cost of landing the product is quite high because the cost of diesel is very high. A litre of diesel is above a thousand naira.

    “For you to move a truck of fuel for instance from Warri to Abuja, you will be talking about N300,000 or more.

     “I wonder how many people will make that expense and still come and be selling about N600 or there about.”

     On whether the government has not moved against those selling above the official pump price, he said the government has been silent about it perhaps for its inability to cushion the cost of diesel.

    “I am sure that adjustment is to accommodate the cost of landing, which the government is silent about because they (the government) cannot make provision for diesel. The government cannot cushion the difference.

     The only marketers who might cope with the prevailing prices were those close to the depots.

      According to him, their expenditure on diesel was minimal.

     Okeocha said: “The diesel cost is high and therefore that makes the landing cost of the product very high, especially at far places…Areas such as Lagos and others can afford to sell at the normal price because the proximity of the source of the product is close.

     “They will not incur much cost in diesel. But those who are selling like those staying in Maiduguri, Katsina, Kano Abuja and others, you cannot tell them to sell within N600 or N610 because the landing cost of the product is high because of the high cost of diesel. So, the government is not saying anything about that.”

     As most of the marketers have opted out of the business, NNPCL, the single importer of the product, has insisted the product is enough in stock.

     Responding to The Nation’s inquest on why PMS was getting scarce, NNPCL Head of Corporate Communication, Iyabo Ojo noted that the company had a product that could last 30 days.

     “We have about 30 days sufficiency; so supply isn’t an issue. Road conditions have, however, made trucking quite challenging for all marketers,” she said.

    She also attributed the apparent scarcity of PMS to the deplorable condition of the roads which made haulage of the product hectic for marketers.

    Despite the gloomy scenario, the removal of subsidies has recorded some enviable gains. Not only the smuggling of the product has reduced, but other evidence of the gain is that neighbouring countries are weeping over President Tinubu’s action.

     In addition, phasing out subsidies has checkmated the lifestyle of reckless consumers of the product. This has freed the roads of vehicular congestion and minimally reduced fossil fuel emissions.

     The greatest gain so far is the controlled consumption figure. Although the NMDPRA has not opened up the average volume consumed in the country daily, it is obvious that the figure keeps crashing daily.

     To further earn public confidence, the NMDPRA needs to lay bare the country’s average daily PMS consumption figure. This can encourage the enduring citizenry that their patience pays. Again, Nigerians are already upbeat that savings from subsidy removal will be deployed to massive concrete road construction across the country.

     Above all, the removal of subsidies has saved the country the embarrassment of endless queues around petrol stations across the country. For the higher pump prices, speculations about imminent further hikes no longer induce significant panic buying.

     Thus, it is obvious that the government needs to put on a thinking cap to arrive at measures that can reduce the pump prices for the benefit of the citizens.

  • Agboyi: A Lagos community trapped in water and neglect 

    Agboyi: A Lagos community trapped in water and neglect 

    Agboyi, a densely populated community in the Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State, is home to nearly one million residents living amidst challenging conditions. 

    Divided into Agboyi 1, 2, and 3, the community spans from Alapere to Ogudu but is surrounded by water, leaving residents dependent on canoes for transportation. 

    A visit to Agboyi reveals the harsh realities faced by its inhabitants, who struggle with a lack of basic amenities. Many are forced to defecate in the surrounding rivers due to the absence of proper sanitation facilities. 

    Tope Adeogun, a resident, voiced her frustration to The Nation, lamenting the prolonged government neglect despite the community’s significant voter base.

    She highlighted the critical need for clean drinking water, decent toilets, and other essential infrastructure to improve their quality of life. 

    The plight of Agboyi underscores the urgent need for intervention to address the community’s dire living conditions. 

    Adeogun further explained: “We don’t have roads. We have only one government primary school serving a population of nearly one million people, and there is no secondary school. Our daily commute to and from Agboyi is a daunting task as there is no bridge connecting us to Alapere and nearby communities. We navigate the river using canoes, and our children who attend secondary schools in Alapere, Ojota, and Ketu face constant challenges when travelling through the rivers.”

    Purchasing water as a daily necessity

    Mrs. Salewa Akinrogun, a resident of Agboyi 1, revealed that residents are compelled to purchase a 25-litre keg of water for ₦100, with each family requiring at least 100 litres daily, depending on family size.

    She lamented: “One of the fundamental things we need in this community is good drinking water. Although we are surrounded by rivers, the water is not drinkable and not suitable for cooking. Everybody here buys water.

    “Despite promises made by politicians during election campaigns, we are still waiting for boreholes that were pledged. The local government chairman is aware of our predicament, yet no tangible solution has been proffered.”

    Rain brings a glimpse of relief

    Mrs. Ayinke Adebayo, a food seller, shared the community’s eagerness for rain because it provides an opportunity to access clean water for drinking and cooking.

    She explained: “The sellers buy kegs of water in Alapere and other neighbouring communities, transport them here through canoes, and sell a keg at the rate of ₦100 because we don’t have any other water to drink. Each time it rains, we are happy because we will have the opportunity to get good water to drink and cook, and we will also fill our drums and kegs so that the water will sustain us until it rains again.”

    Hope for a bridge

    Mr. Maaruf Akinyemi, a former proprietor in Agboyi 1, underscored the pressing need for a bridge to connect the water-locked community to essential services and the broader Lagos metropolis. 

    Speaking about the challenges faced by residents, Akinyemi highlighted the transformative potential of the bridge currently under construction by the Lagos State Government.

    “This bridge is not just infrastructure; it’s a lifeline for Agboyi. It will open up access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunities that have been out of reach for decades,” he said. 

    “The bridge project was initiated after the installation of HRM Oba Monsuru Abimbola Oladega as the new monarch of the community, a development Akinyemi described as a significant milestone.

    “The state government has shown commitment by starting this project, and we hope they will prioritize its timely completion. Linking Agboyi to Ogudu will ease transportation and improve the quality of life for residents.” 

    “Residents of Agboyi are optimistic that the bridge, once completed, will address their long-standing isolation and bring much-needed development to the area.”

    Educational challenges and lack of secondary school

    Akinyemi, who is an educationist added: “In addition to our daily struggles, residents of Agboyi face educational challenges. The community only has a single primary school, Agboyi Primary School, which is divided between Agboyi 1 and Agboyi 2.

    “There is no secondary school within the community, compelling students to enrol in schools located in Alapere, Ojota, or Ogudu. This places an additional financial burden on families, with students spending between ₦600 to ₦1000 daily on transportation.

    Defecating in rivers

    Perhaps one of the most distressing challenges is the lack of proper toilet facilities in the community, forcing residents to defecate in the rivers. To address this pressing issue, makeshift wooden toilets have been erected along the riverbanks.

    Kazeem Adejumo, a resident of Agboyi 3, explained their unique predicament in the community.

    He said: “We find ourselves defecating in the rivers simply because the government hasn’t provided us with toilets. It’s a crazy routine we’ve grown accustomed to, even as we continue to enjoy a swim in those very same waters.”

    Climate change and vulnerability 

    The challenges faced by Agboyi reflect broader vulnerabilities identified in a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

    The report highlights how cities in developing countries, including Lagos, are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to limited adaptive capacity, high population density, and inadequate infrastructure.

    To address these challenges, the IPCC recommends that Lagos invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, enhance early warning systems, and implement policies to regulate land use and protect coastal areas. 

    A call for action 

    Agboyi’s plight underscores the urgent need for intervention to provide basic amenities, ensure access to clean water, and complete critical infrastructure projects like the bridge. For this community, progress is not just about development—it’s about survival.  

  • Charting the course for competitive manufacturing under AfCFTA

    Charting the course for competitive manufacturing under AfCFTA

    The manufacturing sector’s 10 per cent contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is considered to be abysmal, considering that the same sector accounted for as high as 35 per cent of Ireland’s GDP growth in 2021, for instance. The figure is even higher in the U.S.A., where manufacturing accounts for more than 60 per cent of total exports and about 35 per cent of total productivity growth. Now, with the sector’s unimpressive performance, industry operators and experts fear that the promising growth trajectory and development opportunities embedded in the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) may slip through Nigeria’s fingers. They have, therefore, proffered a number of measures to boost the sector’s competitiveness. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

    It is not for nothing that members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), particularly those in the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN) intensified their advocacy for an environment conducive to business and even broadened the scope of their engagements with the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to include implementing policies and reforms to deepen domestic production, boost the manufacturing sector’s competitiveness and hopefully, reverse its depressing successive low performance over the years.

     As the demand for manufacturing grows, it, in turn, spurs the creation of jobs, investments, and innovations in virtually all sectors. This is why manufacturing is regarded as the economy’s growth engine, with industrialisation seen as central to developing economies such as Nigeria catching up with the advanced economies.

    Therefore, the sector, in the context of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which came into effect on January 1, 2021, creating the largest free trade area in the world, covering 54 African countries, presents a unique chance for Nigeria, as Africa’s largest economy, to bolster its manufacturing sector and become a manufacturing hub for Africa.

    Founded in 2018, the AfCFTA seeks to create a continental trade bloc of 1.2 billion people, with a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of about $3.5 trillion. Its main objective was to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments.

     With Nigeria’s large market and population estimated at over 200 million, the country was tipped by experts in international trade and diplomacy as the potential biggest beneficiary of this trade liberalisation deal. Sadly, however, it is doubtful if the country will be able to latch onto a robust manufacturing sector to seize the opportunity of a promising growth trajectory and other development benefits embedded in the AfCFTA to fix her struggling economy.

     MAN President Otunba Francis Meshioye put the reality of the local manufacturing sector’s lack of competitive edge in perspective. He lamented, for instance, that despite being a key industrialisation driver, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s total output is about 10 per cent, with an average growth rate of approximately 2.3 per cent over the last five quarters of this year.

     The occasion was the 3rd Adeola Odutola Lecture and Presidential Luncheon which was held in Lagos, last week, with the theme “Setting the Agenda for Competitive Manufacturing under the AFCFTA: What Nigeria Needs to do.”

     It was the last part of activities marking the 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of MAN, where Meshioye, lamented that the growth of industrialisation in Nigeria remained at a very low ebb.

     “In 2021, average manufacturing output accounted for as high as 35 per cent of Ireland’s GDP growth; 27.44 per cent in the case of China, and 48 per cent of Puerto Rico’s economy,” he said, for instance.

     According to him, the figure is even higher in the U.S.A., where manufacturing accounts for more than 60 per cent of total exports and about 35 per cent of total productivity growth.

     Meshioye added that the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation’s (UNIDO’s) industrial competitive performance index has equally shown that Nigeria’s industrial sector has a low competitive capacity.

    Read Also: Trade negotiator, stakeholders to implement final agreement on AFCFTA report

     The MAN President said: “There is no better time than now to confront the challenge of low competitiveness and abysmal performance of this important sector.

     “It has become a matter of necessity and urgency to deepen our awareness of the imperative of the AfCFTA. We need to develop the right strategies and concerted effort to position our economy as the number one manufacturing hub of the African economy.”

    Meshioye said the AfCFTA window should be maximised in such a way that products manufactured in Nigeria would be preferred in terms of quality and pricing.

     He lamented that currently, the cost of manufacturing is daily rising because of scarce and unavailable manufacturing inputs that continue to shrink profitability and threaten the existence of the critical sector of the economy.

     “More worrisome is the fact that the sector that should propel job creation, productivity, and economic growth is enmeshed in a series of challenges that constantly limits its contribution to the GDP,” the MAN President stated.

     He said: “If Nigerian manufacturers will compete effectively, then a comprehensive and concerted effort needed to be deployed by the government to overtake the binding constraints that limit local production.”

     Some of the constraints include multiple taxations, high cost of borrowing, inadequate infrastructure, shortage of Foreign Exchange (forex), naira depreciation, insecurity, high cost of borrowing, and low patronage of made-in-Nigeria products, among others.

     Otunba Meshioye added that the government also needed to attract foreign investment that would bring about a reduction in the forex crisis and ensure sufficient forex inflow that the country clearly requires.

     “We seek an atmosphere that supports favourable competition with our counterparts in other countries, particularly within the continent,” he said, pointing out that it was in view of the foregoing that the theme for the Association’s 51st AGM was couched with a deep reflection over the growth trajectory of the manufacturing sector in Nigeria and Africa.

     “Our goal is to brainstorm at the AGM, dwelling on the theme for the purpose of suggesting a policy direction for the new government,” he emphasized.

    Operators, experts chart the way forward

    For Meshioye, the starting point to resolving the industrial sector’s low competitive capacity and hopefully, positioning Nigeria as Africa’s number one manufacturing hub is to address the plethora of challenges militating against the sector’s performance.

    The MAN boss lamented that the prevailing regime of multiple taxation has been limiting the manufacturing sector’s competitiveness. According to him, an average member of MAN is subjected to no less than 30 different forms of taxes, fees, and levies, resulting in rising costs of doing business and rapid divestment in the manufacturing sector.

     The aforementioned issues, Meshioye said, have combined to depress demand, worsen job losses and increase the incidence of poverty and low revenue generation from the sector. He, however, expressed confidence that the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms will adequately address the matter.

     Indeed, in a bid to help resolve the issue of multiple taxation agitating the minds of manufacturers and other businesses, President Bola Tinubu established the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to remove all barriers impeding business growth.

     The Committee, chaired by a tax expert at Price WaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Mr. Taiwo Oyedele comprises experts from both the private and public sectors. It will have responsibility for the various aspects of tax law reform, fiscal policy design and coordination, harmonisation of taxes, and revenue administration.

     Meshioye said the OPS is being represented on the Committee by the Director-General of MAN, Segun Ajayi-Kadir.

    “We look forward to working jointly with the representatives of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment on the Committee to make the case for fair taxation of the manufacturing sector,” he stated.

    The MAN President also identified high interest as another constraining factor, pointing out that the average bank lending rate for manufacturers is 26 per cent annum. He, however, acknowledged the nine (9%) interest rate on the N75 billion loan facility for a minimum of 75 companies that was recently promised by President Tinubu.

    While commending the President for the initiative, Meshioye, however, expressed hope that “it could even come at a lower rate and MAN would be given the opportunity to work with government to determine deserving sectors, agree on the disbursement modalities and join in the evaluation and monitoring of its effectiveness.”

     Meshioye also said while manufacturers appreciate the administration’s policy on exchange rate unification as part of measures to address the forex crisis, the problem, however, is only half solved as forex shortages and high rates persist in the market.

     He urged the government to ensure effective enforcement of local content and patronage regulations. This, according to him, can be achieved by strict enforcement of local content laws, incentivising local sourcing of raw materials, and innovation in the manufacturing sector.

     He also said the public sector at all levels should step up their compliance with existing government directives on patronage of made-in-Nigeria products, including Executive Orders 003 and 005.

    Furthermore, Meshioye lamented that despite being one of the sectors of the economy with wide sectoral inter-linkages, the low level of development of auxiliary sectors was disentangling the manufacturing sector from the rest of the sectors.

     “This is more so in agriculture, iron and steel and mining sectors. This has resulted in a limited supply of raw materials and other inputs for the manufacturing sector. Therefore, it is essential to encourage backward integration and sectoral linkages to promote a more sustainable manufacturing sector in Nigeria,” he said.

    A sector weighed down by a $1.5tr infrastructure deficit

    The MAN chief lamented that poor infrastructure, including inadequate power supply, poor road networks, and inefficient port facilities are serious impediments to the growth of the manufacturing sector.

     Indeed, the absence of economic infrastructure, especially electricity supply contributes significantly to the high-cost operating environment which obstructs the development of manufacturing in Nigeria.

    For instance, electricity distribution in Nigeria has continued to hover around 4,000 Megawatts (MW).

     While electricity takes only about 10 per cent of production cost in some other countries, it gulps between 40 and 50 per cent of Nigerian manufacturers’ cost of production. This has forced many factories to curtail output or even shut down.

    Manufacturers brought this reality nearer home when they lamented that as of the second half of 2022, their expenditure on alternative energy sources stood at N76.7 billion.

    According to them, the N76.7 billion spent on alternative energy sources increased from the N45.04 billion recorded in the corresponding half of 2021, indicating a N31.66 billion or 70 per cent increase over the period.

     It also increased by N8.9 billion or 13 per cent when compared with N67.8 billion recorded in the preceding half.

     As if this is not enough to strangulate manufacturers, their operations have continued to suffer due to the persisting scarcity of forex and unfavourable Naira exchange rate parity. The lingering forex scarcity and continuous depreciation of the Naira have left manufacturers bleeding and limited their capacity utilisation.

     The former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, agreed with manufacturers and other businesses in Nigeria that the burden placed on them by decrepit infrastructure has not only become too heavy to bear but also has been one of the major factors responsible for their lack of competitive edge.

     Aganga specifically said Nigeria required about $1.5 trillion over the next 10 years to close its current infrastructure deficit.

    He said Nigeria must review the legal framework for alternative financing sources such as private equity and venture capital funds, and development funds for infrastructure development.

     He was emphatic that Nigeria’s Development Financial Institutions (DFIs), such as the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), Bank of Industry (BoI), Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) are unable to meet the needs of Nigerians because they are grossly undercapitalised.

     He, however, noted that Nigeria commenced the repositioning of BoI in 2013 which included getting it credit-rated so that it can access cheap funds from the international capital markets and institutions.

     He also said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has to develop a financing model, working with local banks to unlock new sources of cheap long-term capital for strategic industries.

     “It is important to bear in mind that almost all the competitors of Nigeria provide financial incentives and support to manufacturers, especially in strategic industries,” he said.

     He recalled that the Development Bank of Nigeria was set up in 2014 as a wholesale bank to source cheap finance from external sources for DFIs, such as BoI. But, as he stated, “I am not sure it is working that way now and I would encourage the government to review the performance of the bank and reposition it.”

    The former boss of Goldman Sachs also stated that it would be useful to now undertake a comprehensive and in-depth review of the domestic capital market to determine how it can optimise its contribution to capital formation and financing, going forward.

    Aganga reiterated that access to affordable finance in Nigeria was an issue. “Finance is insufficient and the cost of funds in Nigeria is high, typically between 15 per cent and 20 per cent.

     He said relative to its competitors, Nigeria has a remarkably low domestic credit to GDP ratio and the credit, too expensive due to a combination of factors including high treasury rates, high inflation, infrastructure deficit and inefficiencies, among others.

    Harnessing MSME’s potential is also key

     Aganga said the world over; MSMEs are the primary drivers of employment and economic growth, employing 75 per cent and 70 per cent of the workforce in China and Brazil, respectively.

     He said that based on the last survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in 2020, there were 40 million MSMEs, employing 76.5 per cent of Nigeria’s workforce and accounting for 49.78 per cent of the GDP and 7.64 per cent of exports.

     Aganga expressed worries that enough attention has not been given to the MSME sector, particularly since 2017. He said according to the surveys by the NBS and SMEDAN, the number of enterprises in the sector grew by 20 million from 17 million in 2010 to 37 million in 2013.

     Between 2013 and 2017, it grew by only four million, and in 2020 it fell by about two million to 40 million, partly due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

     Giving more breakdowns, Aganga said: “Nigeria’s 40 million MSMEs comprise 96.7 per cent of all businesses in Nigeria. 98.8 per cent of them are in the micro cadre. One positive factor is that 67 per cent of businesses are owned by the youth.”

     The expert said Nigeria already has a comprehensive plan, the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), which was launched in 2014 along with the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP). “This can be updated and implemented as part of the long-term plan,” he said.

    According to him, it covers the entire ecosystem of the MSME sector nationwide, working closely with the SMEDAN, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), BoI, the state and local governments and the private sector, under the supervision of the National MSME Council, which was set up in 2014 in accordance with SMEDAN’s Act.

     Interestingly, the current administration is not unaware of the issues agitating the minds of manufacturers and businesses and hurting their competitiveness, especially in the context of the AfCFTA.

     The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, indicated this much when she said the Federal Government envisioned a revitalised industrial sector and is therefore, committed to addressing all aspects of industrialisation from consumer credit, fiscal and monetary policy alignment and continuous engagement with MAN.

     The minister, who was represented by the Director-General, Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria (FRCN), Dr. Rabiu Olowo expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with MAN to resuscitate Nigeria’s industrialisation.

     While emphasising the pivotal role of manufacturing in enhancing Nigeria’s economic competitiveness, Uzoka-Anite stressed the need to deploy strategic interventions in the manufacturing sector to enhance the country’s competitive edge and harness the full benefits of AfCFTA.

     She identified four imperatives to maximise the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA. They include the combined responsibility of the government and manufacturing sector; robust public-private partnership particularly in the area of research and development to enhance the strength of manufacturing.

     Others are supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with capacity and potential for exports, and investment in infrastructure and technology.

     The minister maintained that the government was willing to support the establishment of research and development centres across the country to enhance innovation. She encouraged manufacturers to create these centres and also promote regional value chains and industrial clusters.

     Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu agreed that there was an urgent need to address the challenges that have beset the manufacturing sector in order to enable Nigeria to take full advantage of the opportunity presented by the AfCFTA.

     Sanwo-Olu said the challenges, ranging from inadequate infrastructure, inadequate power to policy environment, and security among others, are very fundamental to determining the manufacturing sector’s survival, growth and competitiveness.

     The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, said the administration in Lagos State recognises the strategic position the state occupies and the role it must play for Nigeria to leverage the opportunities presented by AFCTA.

     Sanwo-Olu said this was why his administration continued to prioritise investment in critical infrastructure and the implementation of policies and strategies aimed at improving the ease of doing business and strengthening the productive capacity of MSMEs across all sectors.

     However, a common thread that ran through the presentations and recommendations by operators and experts at the just-concluded MAN AGM was that diligent implementation of identified pro-industrialisation and business-friendly policies and reforms are crucial to the success of the administration’s renewed push to leverage a revitalised and competitive manufacturing sector to remake the economy.