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

  • Tracking Nigeria’s efforts in curbing road crashes, fatalities

    Tracking Nigeria’s efforts in curbing road crashes, fatalities

    That every year, 1.35 million lives are lost and 50 million more suffer life-threatening injuries globally because of road accidents is frightening. The figures result from the horrid nature of roads. In Nigeria, most roads, especially federal ones, are so dilapidated so much so that they have been described as deathtraps. CHINAKA OKORO writes that the Federal Government should take advantage of November 19 every year set aside by the United Nations to remember those who died or were injured from road crashes to fix its bad roads to reduce carnage on them.

    In the sprawling town of Awka, hedged in between the sumptuous olive-green peaks, there lived a young orphan named Ikeokwu whose history is remarkably delightful. Raised by his maternal uncle, Nweze, Ikeokwu’s story was that of resilience and determination to survive, despite all odds. With courageous willpower, dazzling eyes full of vision and a mind overflowing with desire for knowledge, he faced the world with resolute determination, even though the odds seemed stacked against him.

     Being the only surviving individual in the family of Mr and Mrs Odim Ibeku-Mma who perished in a road accident, Ikeokwu became an advocate of road safety.

     The day of the crash began like any other  day for the entire family. They scheduled to travel to their home town in Awka in Anambra State. The journey from their home in Ojodu-Berger, Lagos was seamless. However, things went awry along Ore-Benin Road as the Sienna car they were travelling in hit a crater and somersaulted. The car fell into a ditch. Mr and Mrs Ibeku-Mma and two of their children- Ifeoma, 15 and Ikenna, 13- died instantly. Ikeokwu, 9 survived, though not without months of treatment in an orthopaedic hospital.

     Armed with the nasty experience, Ikeokwu established Odim Ibeku-Mma Foundation (MOIF) through which victims of road crashes are taken care of.

    His is a society that cares less about the provision of quality road infrastructure that can promote economic development. His society disregards the provision of good roads that would engender improvement of citizens’ quality of life and facilitate economic activity. Ikeokwu’s advocacies for critical infrastructure, especially roads, were taxing, but his spirit remained stanch.

     Ikeokwu’s story, like many other children whose parents or significant others were victims of road crashes, was a demonstration of resoluteness in the face of hard times, the world over.

     Ikeokwu and others like him have been pushing for an accident-free world.

     The United Nations identified with their aspirations and endorsed the World Day of Remembrance of Road Traffic Victims on October 26, 2005, as a global day to be observed on every third Sunday in November each year.

     This year, the day places emphasis on justice as its theme. This translates to justice and fairness for victims of road traffic crashes.

     This theme draws inspiration from the advocacy of FEVR– 4 ever, an international federation of different organisations that offers help and assistance to victims of road traffic crashes by providing free emotional, physical and practical assistance.

     The Day is meant to remember those who died or were injured from road crashes and the plight of their loved ones who must cope with the consequences of their deaths or injuries. It also reveals a dark reality that “every year 1.35 million lives are lost and 50 million more suffer life-threatening injuries because of road accidents.”

     In his message for this year’s event, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres expressed his worry that these fatal accidents are preventable tragedies, even as he urged member states to do more to avoid the nasty trend.

     He stated that “the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety–now in its third year–aims to reduce by half road deaths by building capacities, accelerating the implementation of UN road safety conventions, raising awareness and mobilising resources for greater traffic safety.”

     Recounting some efforts the world body has made to improve road safety globally was the launch of the Global Campaign on Road Safety which, he added, will reach 1,000 cities across 80 countries this year. Another effort, according to Guterres is the founding of the UN Road Safety Fund which finances action in low-and middle-income countries where about 90 per cent of traffic casualties occur.

    Aside from these efforts, Guterres said: “Urgent action remains imperative. I call on all donors to scale up much-needed financial and technical contributions. On this World Day, let us join forces to make roads safer for everyone, everywhere.”

     Roads in Nigeria

    According to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigeria has about 195,000 km road network out of which about 32,000 km are federal roads while 31,000km are state roads. Out of this figure, only about 60,000km is paved and most of them were constructed in the 80’s and early 90’s. This is according to its Director-General, Michael Ohiani.

     In 2023,  out of 15,507,000 registered vehicles in West Africa, Nigeria accounts for 11,869,800 or 75 per cent of cars in the sub-region. Findings show that Nigerian roads are characterised by potholes, bumps and poor bridges that cause road accidents.

      Most roads in Nigeria, especially federal ones, are so dilapidated so much so that they have been regarded as deathtraps.

     Driving through most of the roads that crisscross the Southeast zone has become very distressing. The Enugu-Onitsha, Onitsha Owerri, Aba-Owerri, Owerri-Umuahia, Enugu-Abakaliki, and Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe roads, among many others is in awful situation.

     For instance, the journey from Enugu to Onitsha which, in good time, used to take less than one hour now takes about six hours. The same applies to Enugu-Aba and Onitsha-Owerri roads.

     Also, roads in the Southwest are in a horrible state. Residents of some communities along the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State axis are currently groaning over the deplorable state of their roads. Roads in the North do not fare better.

     Concerned about this state of affairs, the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi lashed out at some foreign and local road contractors due to their penchant for delivering badly-built roads. He said they are taking Nigerians for granted by building roads that are not durable.

     He lamented the poor quality of roads built in the country, saying that no road, whether already existing or currently being built, will last the next seven years.

    Umahi regretted that there was also little or no monitoring of projects by either directors or controllers, thereby resulting in shoddy jobs carried out nationwide. He maintained that contractors must redesign their projects to concrete projects rather than asphalt, stressing that there was no going back on the decision. The minister noted that Nigerian roads have now gone from having ‘potholes’ to having ‘boreholes.’

     The Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company, Bismarck Rewane attributed the increasing cost of food items to the deteriorating condition of the country’s roads.

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     Rewane portrayed a grim view of the dilapidated state of many Nigerian roads. He emphasised that the government needs to prioritise the restoration of the bad roads.

     Also, Martha Sambe, a development economist says bad roads lead to loss of lives and impede Nigeria’s economic development.

     Writing on Rethinking Roads in Nigeria published in Stears https://www.stears.co, she said: “Nigeria’s road network stretches to 193,200km out of which barely 28,980km (15 per cent) is paved. This is a far cry to what obtains in Malaysia which has 80 per cent and Ethiopia with a 13 per cent paved road network. Beyond the health hazards, the poor quality of Nigerian roads acts as a stumbling block to development.”

     Pundits say that as a result of poor maintenance and low-quality materials used for repairs, the condition of roads is weak and deteriorating. Travelling on the roads has become taxing and sometimes almost impossible in many areas during the rainy season due to potholes, and eroded and uneven surfaces.

     It is noteworthy that due to the poverty level in the country which does not allow some citizens to travel by air or sea, Nigerian roads are overworked and under-maintained.

     It can be argued that Nigeria’s most pressing infrastructural need is a healthy transportation network, which includes functional rail, road, water and air systems. Disputably, of all these, roads are the most significant.

     In economic terms, the poor state of road transportation has resulted in the loss of billions of naira as well as thousands of avoidable deaths due to accidents.  

    Impacts of bad roads on the economy

    Stakeholders have decried the rise in the number of crashes on roads, describing the situation as distressing and frightening. They argue that the failure of Nigerian roads affects road users and vehicles. Some of the effects identified are increased accident rate, increase in faulty vehicles, high vehicle maintenance cost and increase in travel time either due to traffic congestion or due to bad roads.

     One of the major impacts of poor road transport networks on the marketing of agricultural produce, experts say, is the high incidence of post-harvest losses. The increased cost of transportation compels farmers to sell their produce at farm gates at lower prices. This results in price increases in the cities when the produce manages to reach the cities.

     Road accidents can result in a wide range of physical injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to severe injuries such as bone fractures, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries and amputations. These can impact a person’s health and well-being; leading to long-term disabilities and reduced mobility.

     According to a report from the FRSC, a total of 32,617 people lost their lives to road traffic crashes in Nigeria from 2016 to 2021, from 65,053 accidents across the country.

     Road traffic crashes place an enormous financial burden, not only on the families of victims but also on society and the governments. Experts reveal that up to five per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is lost to road crashes, an equivalent of N500 billion lost to road crashes annually.

     Deaths, injuries from road crashes

    Injuries and deaths resulting from road traffic accidents are escalating. According to authorities, the phenomena are Nigeria’s third-leading cause of overall deaths, the leading cause of trauma-related deaths and the most common cause of disability.

     The situation is especially problematic because of poor traffic infrastructure, poor road design, poor enforcement of traffic rules and regulations, a rapidly growing population and a subsequent number of people driving cars.

     In a recent report, the FRSC revealed that 4,387 died in road accidents in the first half of 2023 across the 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT). This indicates a 26 per cent increase from the 2022 figure of 6,456 deaths. It also noted that “a total of 5,700 crashes occurred within the first half of 2023. The crashes claimed 2,850 lives as against 6,627 crashes that occurred in 2022 within the same period that left 3,375 people dead.”

      The Corps spokesperson, Bisi Kazeem who stated this during a chat with reporters recently, added that the figure translates to an average of 731 fatalities a month or about 24 lives lost daily.

    Experts maintain that accidents have physical, social, emotional and economic implications. Fatalities, physical disability and morbidity from road accidents predominantly affect the young and the economically-productive age groups. Survivors often endure a diminished quality of life from deformities and disabilities, post-traumatic stress and loss of personal income, in a country not well known for exceptional rehabilitation services.

     Apart from the burden that these road mishaps place on victims’ families, they also take a huge toll on the country’s economy.

       Efforts at curbing road accidents, fatalities

    Despite the several revisions of transport laws, the rate of road traffic crashes continues to increase. This phenomenon prompted the Federal Government to establish the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in February 1988 with the mandate “to prevent or minimise accidents on the highway; clear obstructions on any part of the highways; and educate drivers, motorists and other members of the public on the proper use of the highways.”

     The FRSC, in collaboration with the Beer Sectoral Group (BSG), has launched several campaigns on road traffic accidents. One such campaign is the “Don’t Drink and Drive” intervention launched in 2008. This intervention was initiated to discourage drunk driving and to improve safety on Nigerian roads.

     The government also established the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) in 2002 with responsibilities to “efficiently and effectively monitor and administer road maintenance with the objective of keeping all federal roads in good and safe conditions.”

     Through its various agencies, the government sensitises the public to the need to adhere to traffic safety regulations. This is an important factor in reducing the frequency of road traffic crashes. The enforcement of road safety laws such as the use of seat belts has been associated with a significant reduction in the fatality and severity of injury after a road crash.

     Global population vis-à-vis death rates

    As of mid-year of 2023, the UN estimated that the world population hit 8,045,311,447). This, according to it, is a 0.88 per cent increase (70,206,291 people) from 2022, when the global population was 7,975,105,156, or 0.83 per cent increase (65,810,005 people) from 2021, when the world population was 7,909,295,151.

     Demographers expect the global population to hit 9 billion by 2037 and 10 billion by 2056.

    However, as the world population grows, global death rates have also continued to increase due to several factors.

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), one of the major causes of death the world over is road accidents. It further said there are about 1.474 billion vehicles on earth in 2023.

     WHO noted that “globally, traffic accidents cause major health problems and are of concern to health institutions and stakeholders; nearly 1.35 million people die or are disabled in traffic accidents every year. Out of this figure, about 3,700 people die every day in fatal accidents alone.”

     Worried about the development, WHO predicts that if no progress is made in tackling the causes of road deaths, the global annual death toll will reach 1.9 million by the end of 2023.

     Global statistics show that though Africa contributes two per cent of the world’s cars, it accounts for 16 per cent of the world’s road deaths.

     However, the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021 to 2030 reflects an ambitious target to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries by 50 per cent by 2030. The global plan stresses that “deaths and injuries resulting from road crashes can be prevented by addressing the whole of the transport system, taking action to ensure safe roads, vehicles and behaviours as well as to improve emergency care.” Actualising this target remains a conjecture as the target is seven years away.

    Expectations from government

    Despite that the statistics on road crashes in Nigeria is vexatious; it has not received the attention it deserve. There is a need to regard road accidents as an issue of urgent national importance.

     Policymakers at the various levels of government need to recognise this enormous problem as a public health crisis design appropriate policy responses and back it up with thorough implementation.

     The citizens expect the government to carry out a system needs analysis before carrying out any road repair or construction. The government should embark on aggressive sensitisation to educate drivers and other road users about traffic rules. It shall also carry out aggressive and periodic medical checkups, especially vision and hearing for drivers. Training on first aid should be compulsory along with health education and traffic education for the general public to prevent accidents.

  • Inside Tinubu’s plan to fix Nigeria through ministerial performance

    Inside Tinubu’s plan to fix Nigeria through ministerial performance

    President Bola Tinubu is counting on the Presidential Tracker Unit and Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU) to track the implementation of policies, programmes and projects of all ministries along the priority areas of the Federal Government. ROBERT EGBE examines how the President hopes to fix the country by boosting ministerial performance.

    Rather than bellyache about the hurdles in his path, President Bola Tinubu-understanding statecraft-has affirmed his readiness to embrace all assets and liabilities left by his predecessor. “Yes! I admit and accept the assets and liabilities of my predecessor. It’s part of the definition in my professional background,” said Tinubu while opening a three-day cabinet retreat for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries and top government functionaries in Abuja on November 1. One durable asset left by President Muhammadu Buhari is the Presidential Tracker Unit and Central Delivery Coordinating Unit (CDCU) domiciled at the Cabinet Affairs Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF). That was in fulfilment of a promise by the last administration to “engage with stakeholders to develop a framework to institutionalise the Central Delivery Coordination Unit to ensure that the current efforts are sustained by the next administration in 2023.”

     Keeping with that promise saw the launch in July 2022 of the Presidential Delivery Tracker and Website developed by the CDCU at the OSGF. The CDCU was designed to track the implementation of policies, programmes and projects of all ministries along the priority areas of the Federal Government. The unit also identifies and resolves issues that create bottlenecks and impediments to the delivery of Presidential Priorities. To achieve its objectives, the CDCU incorporates a Performance Management System with Dashboards set up in key offices which serve as tools for measuring performance in real-time in the implementation of ministerial deliverables against negotiated targets.

     Indeed, the Presidential Delivery Tracker is very germane to the vision of President Tinubu who declared at the recent retreat his “forward-looking determination to embark on a very strong, bold endeavour” to rebuild the country’s economy and keep the promise of a renewed hope. “We are not looking backwards; we can’t compare and give excuses. This is our country we have to build it; we have to renew the foundation. We have to give hope to the populace, to Nigerians in doubt whether democracy and economic growth will be the pathway to their prosperity,” he said. President Tinubu then urged his ministers to stand on their toes. He declared: “At the end of this retreat, we are going to sign a bond of understanding among the ministers, the permanent secretaries, and myself.  If you are performing, nothing to fear; if you miss the objective, we’ll review; if there is no performance, you leave us. No one is an island, and the buck stops on my desk. “I assure you; you have a free hand. You must be intellectually inquisitive to ask how, why, when, and why it must be immediate. You have the responsibility to serve the people. “I’ve taken a young lady, very dynamic, Hadiza Balla Usman, to head that delivery unit. If you have any complaints about her, see me. If you’re ready to work with her, stay there. Delivery, yes! We must achieve it for the sake of millions of our people.” However, the President urged cabinet members to be proactive and innovative. “Don’t be afraid to make decisions, but don’t be antagonistic to your supervisor. If they are wrong, debate it. I stand before you and I’ve claimed on several occasions and I’m saying today again as the President, I can make mistakes, point it to me I will resolve that conflict, that error. Perfection is only that of God Almighty. But you are there to help me succeed. Success I must achieve by all means necessary,” he declared to a loud applause at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

     The SGF, Dr George Akume set the tone for the retreat which he said was designed to prepare and sensitize ministers and other participants on the workings and processes of government to ensure that they deliver on the Presidential Priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda for 2023 –2027.  “The retreat will also provide an opportunity to deepen the understanding of participants on best practices in conducting government business. More specifically, the retreat will focus on ensuring that all members are abreast of essential government processes relating to procurement, budgeting, anti-corruption drive, Federal Executive Council and the role of ministers and permanent secretaries in managing their ministries; discussing critical enablers for the robust management of relationship with key stakeholders of government;  understanding the delivery framework and tracking mechanism of the Federal Government; and addressing any tasks and expectations as the President may highlight and direct,” he outlined. Akume listed the eight Presidential Priorities earlier unveiled by the President while inaugurating the National Economic Council. They are Food Security; Ending Poverty; Economic Growth and Job Creation; Access to Capital; Inclusivity: Drawing on all Skills Base; Security, Fairness and Rule of Law; and Anti-corruption Stance. The priorities were further unbundled as reforming the Economy to deliver Sustained Inclusive Growth; Strengthen National Security for Peace and Prosperity; Boost Agriculture to Achieve Food Security; Unlock Energy and Natural Resources for Sustainable Development; Enhance Infrastructure and Transportation as Enablers of Growth; focusing on Education, Health and Social Investment as Essential Pillars of Development;  Accelerate Industrialization through Digital Economy, Manufacturing and Innovative Technology; and Improve Governance for Effective Service Delivery. Akume said before the retreat, the CDCU in the Cabinet Affairs Office, in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Coordination, held extensive bilateral engagements with all the 35 ministries and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to develop the Ministerial Deliverables that will facilitate the actualisation of the Eight Priority Areas of the Tinubu administration. “These bilateral engagements were followed by robust technical sessions between the Ministries and the CDCU team with support from our Development/Technical Partners that included the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office, Messrs KPMG Nigeria, Messrs McKinsey and Company Nigeria, Tony Blair Institute for Global Change amongst others,” said Akume. He also said that ministerial deliverables were strategically crafted to address the priorities and focus areas of the administration from 2023 to 2027. These ministerial deliverables were derived from the Renewed Hope Manifesto, the report of the Presidential Advisory Council, the National Development Plan (2021–2025), and sectoral plans including policies, programmes and projects of ministries, departments and agencies. “The engagements also afforded the ministers the opportunity to make very useful inputs into the crafting of the deliverables and their indicators for effective measurements and assessments”, said the SGF. Akume noted that there will always be cross-cutting activities, programmes and policies. “This demands that collaboration and a common vision should always guide our actions and decisions. This retreat, therefore, will afford us the opportunity to share in the President’s vision, his dream and to fine-tune our strategies for a prosperous Nigeria,” he told participants. The retreat was structured into four main segments, namely the administrative processes for the delivery of government policies, plans and projects;  managing relationships with key stakeholders such as the legislature, parastatals, the media and citizens; technical presentations focusing on the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’; accelerators for inclusive and resilient economic growth; and understanding the delivery mechanism for the Renewed Hope Agenda and lastly, panel sessions along the focus areas on how to deliver on the priority areas.

    Recommendations from the retreat

    He highlighted the key points agreed upon by cabinet members at the retreat. Top on the card is that the government should raise the approval threshold for public procurement and encourage open bidding for transparency. With the shift in FEC days from Wednesday to Monday, cabinet members are now required to submit memos ahead of time by Wednesday for analysis with permanent secretaries before the Monday meeting. Moreso, ministers presenting memoranda at FEC will now be accompanied by their permanent secretaries to hasten information flow.

     Participants also agreed to align the budget for the MDAs with the President’s vision, strategic goals, and relevant key performance indicators even as they voted to review the efficiency of previous intervention programmes of the government. The retreat emphasised the need to improve the judicial process by allowing promoted judges to complete pending cases in their new positions; and accelerate the prosecution of individuals, including lawmakers, who do not complete contracts awarded to them. On trade and commerce, participants voted for reform of tariff structure to enable trade while still supporting domestic production; promote more equity financing rather than debt financing for fiscal operations; and set up a steering committee to review the issues around the national single window. National security for peace and prosperity also engaged the attention of participants who suggested deeper engagement with governors to strengthen security at local government levels while addressing issues of autonomy and governance. Moreso, they emphasised collaboration and a collective approach at the state level to address security challenges. The ministers agreed that agriculture must get a priority to achieve food security by utilising technology and reducing post-harvest losses, driving investments in storage and value addition while efforts to check coastal erosion were also discussed. Members voted to develop a 10-year plan to increase power generation capacity in line with the country’s needs; set up a super grid in line with the country’s generation targets and create semi-autonomous regional grids; and overhaul the structure and coverage of the distribution companies. The steel sector also got a mention; a plan for a roadmap and revival of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant and other power projects across the country. The cabinet agreed to drive investments in the upstream petroleum sector, with clear targets while making provisions for sanctions for non-performance and inefficiencies. The high point of the retreat was the signing of the Ministerial Performance Bond by ministers and permanent secretaries. The Bond spelt out the Ministerial Deliverables and Key Performance Indicators. Each of the KPIs contains the baseline data and targets for the next four years. The performance of each ministry will be assessed quarterly beginning from the end of the first quarter of 2024.  The President is optimistic his plan to improve ministerial performance and fix the economy will work. Will it? Only time will tell.

  • Reversing Nigeria’s economic misfortune

    Reversing Nigeria’s economic misfortune

    Nigeria’s potential for greatness has been a major subject of discourse for too long. Poor leadership, corruption and planlessness are some of the factors that have prevented it from being in the league of developed economies. Deputy Political Editor, RAYMOND MORDI examines how the country has fared and what can be done to chart a new course

    More than six decades after independence, Nigeria is lagging behind many of its contemporaries in Africa and beyond in terms of development. With its teeming population, abundant mineral resources and its leadership position in Africa, the country has the potential to be a great one. But, 63 years after, it has remained a consumer country because of lack of focus on industrial development.

    Poor leadership, corruption and failure to plan are some of the reasons it has not lived up to expectations, compared to its peers as of independence in 1960.

     For instance, it was the leadership factor that turned the situation around for countries such as  Singapore and India. Their leaders articulated a national vision that was later imbibed by successive administrations, irrespective of political party affiliation.

     With the current parlous state of the economy, experts say that Nigeria needs to realise its potential through credible leadership that can engender some significant and positive changes to move the country forward.

     Anire Ojuyah, a businessman and commentator on national affairs believes that Nigeria needs a credible and patriotic leader that can draw up a 50-year plan to serve as a foundation for the country’s industrial take-off.

     Ojuyah said: “Patriotic leadership is essential because it ensures stability and continuity in government policies. One of the biggest challenges in Africa is that policies and programmes often change with every new government that assumes power. This leads to lack of consistency and coordination and ultimately slows down progress. A long-term plan can provide direction, stability and focus for a country’s development.

     “As a people, we must start by having sincere and inclusive stakeholders’ meetings or discussions across party lines, which must focus on what Nigeria means to us without invalidating anyone’s opinion.

     Critical and sensitive issues such as religion, ethnicity, value alignment and so on will be raised and deliberated upon; these deliberations are integral to the survival of our country.

     In addition, he called for an amendment of the 1999 Constitution “to articulate the identified internal and external factors responsible for the challenges facing our country.”

    The Executive Director of the African Council for Cultural and Economic Renaissance (ACCER), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Nosa Osaikhuiwu said the country has always had problems with the implementation of programmes and policies, even as he stated that there must be a change in Nigerians’ orientation to chart a new course for the country. He said there is a need to sensitise the citizens to important programmes and policies of the government such as development plans.

     The advocate for cultural change also said development plans must be handled from a project management perspective.

     He added: “This means that each development plan must be ‘projectised’ with a project manager and project monitoring team that will monitor the performance of the project from a performance perspective; considering the key matrix and milestones to ensure that they are met.”

     Osaikhuiwu said there is a need for cultural change without which the country cannot make progress.

     “The church and the mosque have great roles to play in transforming Nigeria; not to become a more religious society but to transform the country culturally with the right value system. There is dignity in labour; if you are paid one naira, then do the job for one naira. If you are paid N10, 000 for a job, ensure that you put in the effort that is worth that amount of money,” he said.

     The country has had a relatively long experience in development planning dating back to the years before independence. These include the First National Development Plan, 1962 to 1968; the Second National Development Plan, 1970 to 1974; the Third National Development Plan, 1975 to 1980; and the Fourth National Development Plan, 1981 to 1985. Other major strategic initiatives are the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP); the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS); and the strategy for attaining the Millennium Development Goals.

     But these were bedevilled by lack of stability and continuity in government policies, as the priority and focus changed with every new administration coming into power. Besides, the country has only executed short and medium-term plans, which were adjudged to have been poorly implemented.

     Experts say development planning is necessary to fast-track economic growth and improve the standard of living of the people. This is so because development does not take place accidentally. As a result, it is usually designed to effect some permanent structural changes in the economy.

     Such changes, it is said, are connected with the involvement of the government and the private sector in the economy. In the course of initiating a development plan, the government has to specify the way it wants the economy to develop in the future and then, during the phase of implementation, intervene to try to achieve those objectives.

     Aside from the duration of previous development plans, why were they not as impactful  as they were expected to be? A civil society activist and former lecturer at the Federal College of Education (FCE), Kano, Dr Naseer Kura Ja’afaru said though the drafters of previous plans did marvellous jobs, they were not impactful because the basic superstructure that was required to drive their realisation was lacking.

     This could be attributed to the structure of the economy  post-colonial leaders inherited at independence. It was not a fully developed economy in the sense that it was an appendage of the British colonial empire.

     This is the phenomenon that the late Claude Ake, a Professor of Political Economy, described as “the disarticulation of African economies” in his famous book The Political Economy of Africa.

     By contrasting the structures of African economies in their colonial and post-colonial phrases, Prof. Ake noted that there is an implicit assumption that the winning of political independence was a watershed in the history of Africa and that it was a change that could reasonably be expected to have had a major, if not decisive, impact on the future development of African economies.

     He added: “This assumption is not unreasonable. The nationalist petit-bourgeoisie which fought for independence had insisted that political independence was the essential preliminary to a fundamental restructuring of the colonial economy, and many students of Africa seem to agree that the political hegemony of the colonisers was a critical factor in the underdevelopment of Africa’s social formations.

     “After two  of political independence in Africa (about six decades today) available evidence on the validity of this assumption is ambiguous. Revolutionary changes in the structure of African economies have not occurred, and even their growth rates have been less than satisfactory.”

     More than six decades after independence, there has been no marked improvement in that regard; at least in Nigeria.

    Prof. Ake stated: “The major reason for the meagre progress is that the drive for economic development in the post-colonial era has followed the line of least resistance, which is generally the least desirable from the point of view of social benefits, balanced development and the long-term maximisation of development.”

     In other words, the country’s post-independence leaders lacked the political will to make far-reaching decisions that were in the overall interest of the country in the long run.

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     Dr Ja’afaru, who is also the Executive Director of Basic Rights Action, a human rights organisation said corruption within the political arena has contributed to hampering development plans and programmes.

     He said: “Corruption has been a pervasive social phenomenon. The disheartening thing about the whole scenario is that the purported development plans are avenues for some greedy leaders to engage in corruption. This is caused primarily by the illicit misappropriation of privileges and opportunities in public and private sectors for personal aggrandisement by those in positions of authority.  So, the involvement of leaders in massive corruption, both in military and civilian governments has been a stumbling block to the implementation of national development plans.”

     The implementation of the national development plans was also negatively affected by political instability in the 1960s, the 1970s and the 1980s and the consequent discontinuity of such programmes and policies. The era was characterised by military coups and changes of governments. These were the periods when these national development plans were launched. The political atmosphere was unstable and successive administrations were not interested to continue or implement projects that were initiated by their predecessors.

     Poor or inadequate feasibility studies in planning and lack of comprehensive statistics are also believed to be one of the factors that undermined the impact of the development plans.

     Data gaps have continued to impact the country’s development and growth prospects. Across sectors, poor data collection and management have robbed the country of the benefits of its enormous resources. Due to the inadequacy of data, planning is often based on projection and speculation. For instance, Nigeria’s population data, which is probably the country’s most essential data, is still predicated on projections from the 2006 population census which stakeholders believe was fraught with controversy. There is no comprehensive data to get a clear picture of the situation in some important sectors such as health, business and employment. Many government-owned establishments do not know the exact number of their members of staff on their payroll. As a result, the issue of ghost workers is a common problem due to lack of data.

     Dr Ja’afaru said the discovery and commercial exploitation of crude oil helped to transform the economy from an agriculture-based one to a rent-seeking one. At this, he added, the country lost its focus.

     He said: “Almost overnight, there was so much money at the time that the then military Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (rtd) said the country’s problem is not lack of money but what to do with it. That was what led to policies such as the Jerome Udoji Award when the government embarked on a spending spree for the fun of it. That was what happened up to the mid-1970s.”

     There is also the issue of lack of monitoring and evaluation, particularly in recent times. Contracts were awarded with little or no monitoring and evaluation to determine the level of project completion, success and the type of material that was used for carrying out the projects.

     Dr Peter Ozo-Eson, an economist said this was not the case during the post-independence era. He said the method of national development plan during the post-independence era was more effective than the current ones, which are imposed on the country by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

     He added that the government needs to strengthen the monitoring of projects.

     His words: “I think we require a strong Ministry of National Planning to ensure that there is the capacity to monitor these projects and ensure that they are properly executed. Going forward, we must also ensure that the identification and selection of future projects are more rigorous and community-based so that people can own and identify what their priorities are. If we do that and the projects are properly costed and budgeted for, we can have the benefits of both methods.”

     In a telephone chat, Dr Ozo-Eson, a former Chief Economist of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) said: “Just before independence and the first decade after it, we used to have development plans that were largely based on projects. If you pick up a development plan then, you will see a list of projects that were targeted to be executed. It was easy to do an evaluation then, to see which percentage of the project was executed and which were not.

    “From the Babangida era, however, liberalism came into the economic agenda, and we began to see neo-liberal economic policies. We now have a situation where we moved away from project-based economic planning to strategic planning. What we have been having now is policy and strategic planning. This is fine because it presents a situation where the public and private sectors are expected to function.

    “But, you require an efficient public sector execution machinery to be able to function well and be able to propel development. Based on the performance of the strategic planning method so far, I will call for the bringing back of the project-based approach into the system.

     “The current plan, which was launched recently, recognises some of the weaknesses inherent in the current policy and strategic planning method and it attempts to bring on board some level of project planning, at least for the private sector component of the plan. But, even at that, the robustness of project identification and project defence has not been as rigorous as it used to be in the 1960s; maybe it is because we have abandoned it for several decades.

     “I am not against strategic planning but the public sector component of it must be translated into executable projects and those projects must be identified, must be defended and properly cost; so that a monitoring and evaluation mechanism can be in place to follow those projects through. “For instance, we have seen money being pumped into revamping our refineries for years and nothing happened. But, if we had in the development plan that the Port Harcourt Refinery is going to be refurbished within a five-year development plan, people would follow it up and insist that this is a plan and must be executed. As it is now, the maintenance of the refineries is done at the whims of those in political and administrative positions and we are paying dearly for it as a nation.”

     The economist said anyone who says that project-based planning was not impactful is being economical with the truth.

     He said: “If you look at the major projects that we have today, they were products of the first, second and third development plans, which were product-based. This includes the Niger Bridge, the Port Harcourt Refinery and road projects across the country. All those were results of product-based planning. Anybody who looks back at the economic history of the ’60s and ’70s will discover that the project-based planning method delivered more than the strategic planning questions approach.”

     Dr Ja’afaru said the Babangida military era was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, as far as the country’s efforts to use development plans to fast-track the industrialisation of the country is concerned. His words: “Babangida’s Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), which the Bretton Woods institutions enunciated, was the last straw that broke the camel’s back because it was the adoption of that policy that made the government to jettison the idea of the development plans. It resorted to ad hoc plans like Vision 2010, Vision 2020, NEEDs and other economic policies prescribed by the IMF and the World Bank that were not comprehensive enough to galvanise and move the economy forward. That was the end of the development of development plans independently drafted by the Nigerian government.”

     Though the various development plans have their shortcomings, the country, however, achieved considerable success in some sectors with its project-based development plans between 1962 and 1986. The sectors include agriculture, transport and communications. Some of the major projects executed during the period include the Nigerian Security and Minting Plant, the Jebba Paper Mill, the Sugar Mill, the Niger Dam, the Niger Bridge (Onitsha), the Kainji Dam and the Port Harcourt Refinery. Some of the public corporations established at the time, as part of the implementation of the First National Development Plan, include the defunct Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), the Nigerian Coal Corporation, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

     By the early 1980s, the country was far more productive than it is today. For instance, it was a net exporter of refined petroleum products; today, it imports all its refined petroleum products. The manufacturing sector was contributing more to the economy in the area of the creation of employment opportunities, as well as growth in the gross domestic product (GDP). At the time, Nigerians rode on locally assembled cars, buses and trucks and trucks. For example, Peugeot cars were assembled in Kaduna, Volkswagen cars in Lagos, and Leyland and ANAMCO produced trucks and buses in Ibadan and Enugu respectively, while Steyr assembled the country’s agricultural tractors in Bauchi.

     The locally assembled vehicles had a high percentage of local content. For instance, Vono in Lagos produced the vehicle’s seats; Exide in Ibadan produced the batteries; IsoGlass and TSG, both also in Ibadan, manufactured the windshields; while Ferrado, in Ibadan too, produced the brake pads and discs. Dunlop and Michelin produced the tyres in Lagos and Port Harcourt respectively. Besides, the textile industry was booming, while the footwear manufacturing industry also flourished with companies such as Bata and Lennards producing shoes for Nigerians.

  • 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.”  

  • Labour strike: Full, partial compliance in states

    Labour strike: Full, partial compliance in states

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) and their affiliates yesterday made good their threat to embark on an indefinite nationwide industrial action to protest the brutalisation of NLC President Comrade Joe Ajaero in Imo State. This was after they called the bluff of the National Industrial Court (NIC) which restrained them from going ahead with the strike. Our Correspondents, who monitored compliance in all the states, report that there was partial observance of the directive to stay off work.

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), including their affiliates, yesterday commenced a nationwide industrial action to protest the manhandling of the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, by hoodlums in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on November 1.

    Although, the strike action by organised labour came despite a restraining order by the National Industrial Court (NIC), there was partial compliance across the country.

    The Nation correspondents, who moved round the country to monitor compliance to the nationwide strike, reported mixed a compliance rate by workers and residents in some states.

    For instance, while some of them shunned the strike and went about their normal social and economic activities, others complied with the NLC and TUC directive.

    For instance, while there was partial compliance by workers in Lagos State, the compliance was total in Adamawa State; the strike also paralyzed commercial and office activities in Edo State.

     In Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, checks by The Nation showed there was partial compliance as workers joined the strike on Tuesday.

    For instance, members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) shut down the Tin-Can Island Port, Apapa, in compliance with the strike action.

    The MWUN protesters, led by their President-General, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, were seen at the Apapa Port and later at Tin-Can Port, with a large number of workers monitoring compliance to the NLC’S directive

     However, the maritime workers’ grouse was not so much the brutalization of the NLC President, Ajaero.

    Instead, they told The Nation, that the Federal Government’s continued refusal to implement agreements, non-payment of backlog of salaries, pensions, discriminatory payment of salaries and non-compliance to national minimum wage were responsible for the strike action.

    This was contained in a statement issued by the head of Media, MWUN, Comrade John Ikemefuna.

     Based on this, Port workers prevented operators and users from accessing the port facilities, thereby disrupting economic and commercial activities at the ports.

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    Findings also revealed that workers at the first deep seaport in the country joined the strike action directed by labour unions. The gates leading to the headquarters of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in Marina, Lagos, were also under ock and key by the unionists. Port users were seen loitering around the ports and there was heavy presence of police officers.

     However, business activities at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) were not affected. Members of staff of the agency were in the office to carry out their official responsibilities.

    No cargo-laden truck was seen either going into the ports or exiting the ports in Lagos. Visits by The Nation to ascertain the level of compliance with the directive also showed that some banks in Lagos were open for normal business operations.

     Also, the industrial action order did not have a major effect at the Lagos State Secretariat where workers were seen going about their regular businesses.

    Schools in Egbeda, Mushin, Ikotun, Ikeja, Agege, and Ketu, among others, carried out their academic exercises.

     NLC Public Relations Officer (PRO), Lagos chapter, Adejumo Ismail, who spoke to The Nation on the development, admitted that the partial compliance was as a result of ‘late notice’.

    According to him, there has been ‘substantial’ compliance with the strike directive so far. Ismail, however, assured of full compliance in the state on Wednesday, based on the ‘level of mobilisation and sensitisation’ of their members.

     “We have been to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Radio Lagos, Eko FM, Alausa Secretariat, Coca Cola, Airport Hotel, Cadbury, along Jakande Agidingbi.

    “We’ve monitored so many areas today. Some of our officers at Victoria Island are complying substantially. All the government agencies there are shut down, under lock and key.

    “The teachers have joined today, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) too have joined. All the unions in the tertiary institutions have joined in solidarity.

    “Banks, you know they are into two unions, they have their CP and NUBIFIE. But the two leaderships have already complied with us to join the action.

    “Due to the late notice, they have all agreed that tomorrow (i.e. today) they will be at home in compliance with the directive,” Ismail said.

    Business as usual in National Assembly, Abuja

      In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria on Tuesday blocked entrance into the National Assembly (NASS) in compliance with the NLC directive.

    Both the main gate and the Annex gate into the NASS were locked by officials of the Union, making it difficult for workers who came to work to access their complex.

     However, legislative activities went on unhindered in the House of Representatives while all scheduled committee meetings went on as planned.

    The National Assembly was its usual self by midday, which was a clear indication that the gates were later thrown open, even as the Union leaders vowed to shut all gates leading to the complex by 4.00am on Wednesday.

     Lawmakers and management staff were forced to use the gate leading to the Presidential Villa to access the complex.

    But members of staff who came to work complained of not being informed by the leadership of the Union about the strike only to come to work and be told that they cannot gain access because of the strike.

     The situation led to massive traffic jams around the entrances as people who were driving were forced to park outside and walk into the complex.

    However legislative activities carried on as usual as the House of Representatives led by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas unveiled the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House, while plenary followed soon after.

    Partial compliance in Ondo, Ogun

    Organised labour in Ondo State joined the ongoing indefinite nationwide strike. A press statement jointly signed by NLC Chairman, Comade victor Amoko and the TUC Chairman, Comrade Clement Fatuase, urged workers in the state to comply with the strike directive appropriately.

     Ondo Chairman of Joint Negotiating Council (JNC), Comrade Ademola Olapade, said the strike was basically on the attack on the NLC President, Comrade Ajaero, and non-implementation of some agreements reached with the Federal Government in the aftermath of the fuel subsidy removal.

     The statement, however, said Ondo organised labour was not against the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, but to protest against impunity in the country. It called on all affiliate executives to ensure strict compliance with the directive of the national body until the matter was resolved.

     However, Monday’s strike action was partially successful in Ondo. State Government employees reported for duties even as bank workers were at their duty post. Public schools were opened for academic activities. Some pupils were later asked to go home.

     It was also partial compliance in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Public secondary and primary schools in the state opened for learning and teaching on Tuesday. However, activities were totally shut down at the courts in the state.

     Checks by The Nation at Abeokuta Grammar School Idi – Aba, Kuti Memorial School, Isabo, and few others in Abeokuta, revealed the teachers and learners were in their various classrooms for morning lessons.

     The Ogun State chairman of TUC, Akeem Lasisi, told The Nation that the directive given was that there should be compliance by all, but stressed that instruction would soon be passed to the affected schools to comply.

     However, activities at State Judiciary were completely paralysed on Tuesday as the judiciary workers locked the gates to the courts in compliance with the NLC and TUC directive.

    A lady stenographer/typist whose stand is located beside the Isabo Magistrate Court complained that the strike had affected her daily business and that of her colleagues.

     The lady, who does not want her name in print, said nobody has brought affidavit materials to her for typing since morning as no judicial worker was on duty to process and stamp them after the typing.

    “The strike is punishing us, no business today and I pray it does not last. We don’t even understand why the people are on strike,” she said.

    Low compliance in Ibadan

    Normal activities went on in most parts of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday despite the call for strike by the two labour unions.

     The State secretariat was opened for activities. Aside from workers who reported for duties, those who have business dealings within the Secretariat complex were also seen going about their normal activities.

     Most offices remain open as workers and members of staff were seen at their duty posts across various ministries and departments.

     But the State Assembly Complex remained shut. Parliamentary workers in the state have been on strike which has entered its third week.

     The workers were sighted sitting under a canopy in front of the Assembly complex gate which had remained the meeting points of the workers in the last few weeks.

     Most Federal Government organisations, ministries and parastatals in the state also opened for business activities.

     The main entrance gate of the University College Hospital (UCH) was opened but the second gate was not. Medical officers were also seen attending to ptients.

     The Federal Secretariat was also opened with activities ongoing at all the departments and agencies housed at the Secretariat, Ikolaba.

     Convocation activities also went on the University of Ibadan but lecturers were not seen taking classes. Most offices were under lock and keys. Banks were also busy with operations across the capital city.

    Workers shun strike in Enugu; compliance in Anambra

    The call for withdrawal of services by the NLC and TUC was defied by all government workers and commercial banks in Enugu, on Tuesday.

     Our correspondent, who went round the metropolis, observed that banks were rendering services to their customers.

     It was also observed that workers of all government agencies, schools and the judiciary came to work early in the morning and continued till normal dismissal time.

     At the government revenue office along Zik Avenue, Enugu, our correspondent observed that workers were in their various offices while a bank along Agbani Road was also rendering services to its customers.

     Similarly, both private and government schools also failed to observe the strike as teachers were seen teaching their students and pupils.

     A civil servant, who spoke on condition of anonymity, blamed the leadership of both NLC and TUC over the non- compliance, saying they failed to act when the ovation was high.

     It was also observed that there were heavy vehicular activities in the major roads while the markets were opened for businesses.

     However, Chairman, NLC, Anambra State, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor, said workers in the State had already joined the strike as directed by the national body. He said defaulters of the directives would be dealt with accordingly.

      “We’ve joined the strike. We’ve directed our members to stay away from their offices and work places till further notice.

     “There won’t be any street protests. We’re only withdrawing our services as directed by the national body,” he said.

     When contacted, Press Secretary to the Governor, Christian Aburime, promised to react later when a text message was sent to him. But five hours later he was called, his phone rang out, neither did he return the calls.

    Flip-flop in Kwara

     The nationwide strike started on a flip-flop note in Kwara State. Pupils of public schools reported in the morning in their respective schools for the business of the day only to be told to go back to their houses.

     It was gathered that their teachers in the state had joined the strike. It was also observed that some Federal workers as at the time of filing this report had not joined the action.

     A staff of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CPC) told our correspondent that the commission workers had not joined the strike.

  • 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.

  • Dangling ade-risked business environment to woo investors

    Dangling ade-risked business environment to woo investors

    The Federal and State Governments are waving enabling operational and fiscal environment bait to local and foreign investors. Their re-energised drive to incentivise investors by easing stringent business policies that discourage investment may have rekindled enthusiasm, especially among foreign investors who now see strong prospects of Nigeria becoming an investment destination of choice. However, the investors’ growing enthusiasm may be short-lived amid fears that without first addressing pervasive insecurity and decrepit infrastructure forcing them to hold back, Nigeria may be putting the cart before the horse. Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports

    After what may have gone down, from several critical perspectives, as Nigeria’s most depressing outing in international trade and diplomacy under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years administration, the country now looks good to reclaim its dominant position in global business, trade and investment. First, it took the recalibration of Nigeria’s global engagement strategy by the current administration of President Bola Tinubu to set the stage for what promises to restore and strengthen the country’s diminished image and influence in global trade and investment. The recalibration of the country’s global engagement strategy, The Nation learnt, was by way of a strategic rethink in favour of a free-market approach to rebuilding Nigeria’s weakened influence in continental and international trade and investment space, as opposed to Buhari’s protectionist approach to economic diplomacy. In line with President Tinubu’s strategic shift towards more intentional, dynamic and value-driven economic relations, he has, in the past six months of his inauguration as Nigeria’s new leader, been literarily crossing the oceans and climbing the mountains in search of countries and investors willing to do business with Nigeria.
    Already, the result of the intensified shuttle economic diplomacy by the President, who has since been joined by some state governors equally eager to market the huge but largely untapped investment opportunities in their domain, has been quite evident. For instance, there has been a deluge of business partnership deals, investment and trade collaborations among Nigeria and some foreign countries and investors willing to bring the much-needed investment cash into the country, beginning from Thursday, June 22, when Tinubu embarked on his first official trip to Paris, France. Although, he was in France to participate in the two-day summit for a “New Global Financing Pact,” the President was able to network with International Finance Corporations (IFCs), institutions, countries and would-be investors to open the floodgate of Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) into Nigeria. Since then, there has been a flurry of activities in the economic diplomacy front, with several other countries including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India, South Africa, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America, among others coming under President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy radar to bolster greater trade and investment among Nigeria and those countries across key sectors including manufacturing, renewable energy, power generation, infrastructure, health, agriculture, transportation, mining, digital economy and much more.

    Waving a business-friendly environment wand

    In selling Nigeria to investors, particularly foreign investors, the President and some governors have been dangling the proverbial carrot in the form of enabling operational and fiscal environment to woo investors and significantly boost FDI, increase revenue and create more jobs for Nigerians. For Tinubu and, indeed, the state governors, who have, at various local and international forums declared that it is no longer business as usual about doing business in Nigeria. It is easy to see why throwing enabling business environment bait to investors has become a compelling proposition. Nigeria’s inclement business environment manifesting in unstable government fiscal and monetary policies, unbridled corruption, pervasive insecurity, decrepit infrastructure particularly epileptic electricity supply, policy somersault, multiple regulatory agencies, and asphyxiating tax regime, among others, has often been cited by local and foreign investors as a major reason for holding back. Many of them who could not cope with the prevailing unfriendly business environment in the country have either been forced to shut down their operations or relocate to neighbouring African countries where the operating environment is considered more conducive for their businesses to thrive and a mouth-watering Return on Investments (RoI) guaranteed. The former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga put the impact of the inclement business environment on Nigeria’s renewed push to boost the confidence of the global investment community in perspective when he said one of the biggest determinants of how much investment an economy attracts is the macroeconomic environment. He said: “An environment where inflation is at a record high level, and still rising, exchange rates are high and volatile, and a large percentage of national income is going towards servicing debts cannot foster the kind of stimulus our economy needs.
    “There is a need to design a macro-economic framework that will be supervised by a strong macro-economic management team within the economic management team that is accountable to the President.” Aganga, who was also Nigeria’s former Minister of Finance and Chairman of the Economic Management Team, spoke at the 3rd Adeola Odutola Lecture/Presidential Luncheon which was held in Lagos recently, with the theme “Setting the Agenda for Competitive Manufacturing under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA): What Nigeria Needs to do.” The former minister, at the lecture which was the last leg of activities that marked the 51st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), also emphasised the need for the current administration to pay more attention to the ease of doing business, particularly those areas that are not covered or adequately covered by the Ease of Doing Business Survey. While listing some of the areas to include poor implementation of government policies, multiple regulators with overlapping mandates, illegal roadblocks, levies and demands by local communities, and others however said local manufacturers and investors are in a better position to point the government in the right direction. Interestingly, Aganga and other experts’ push for a strong and stable macro-economic environment to woo investors appears to resonate with President Tinubu and the state governors, hence their decision to prioritise the removal of some of the aforementioned obstacles hindering the flow of investments into Nigeria. For instance, it was in a bid to resolve the issue of multiple taxations agitating the minds of businesses and local and foreign investors that President Tinubu established the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms to remove all barriers impeding business growth in Nigeria. 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.
    For the President, this and other reforms have become necessary if the administration must birth a more competitive economy capable of attracting foreign investors to the boundless opportunities in virtually all the sectors of the Nigerian economy both at national and sub-national levels. Tinubu underscored this thinking when, in Paris, France, he said ongoing reforms, starting with the removal of fuel subsidies and streamlining of the exchange rate, for instance, will be sustained for a more competitive economy to emerge. “We are ready for business, prepared to welcome investments,” he said. That was when Tinubu received the President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim), Prof. Benedict Oramah and the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Odile Renaud–Basso in separate meetings, on the sidelines of the Paris Summit for New Global Financing Pact. “Nigeria is ready for global business and our reform is total. We need reforms for national survival, and it would take boldness and courage to reposition the economy,” the President said, assuring the delegation of Afrexim Bank executives that the Federal Government will continue to stimulate the economy with policies that support investments in areas of Nigeria’s competitive advantage, particularly agriculture.
    Apart from the aggressive reform of Nigeria’s fiscal, monetary, regulatory and tax policy environment to de-risked the business environment, the federal and state governments are also dangling an incentive akin to a blank cheque to new investors, allowing them to seamlessly bring their money into the country free of worries about whether or not they can take their money out at any point in time. Nigeria’s active participation in the recently-concluded 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in Washington, U.S.A. also underscored the country’s gradual reintegration into the global arena, with Foreign Affairs Minister Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar hosting the Nigeria State Luncheon themed “Financing Nigeria’s Growth Agenda.” Also last week, the President, again, assured foreign ambassadors in Nigeria of his administration’s readiness to maintain open lines of communication and cooperation, with a focus on advancing mutually beneficial economic opportunities across sectors.

    That was when he received the Letters of Credence of the Ambassadors of Angola, the Kingdom of Belgium, the Kingdom of Norway, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Nigeria, Jose Bamoquine Zau, Pieter Leenknegt, Sevin Baera, and Albert Castelar, respectively. In separate meetings with the Ambassadors, Tinubu emphasised the importance of strong diplomatic relations and expressed his willingness to engage with the foreign missions. He told the Ambassadors that the Foreign Ministry and the Office of his Chief of Staff would always be available to interact with the foreign missions and address any matter of concern. “We will maintain an open-door policy. We are ready to do anything that will make your stay rewarding and our relationship strong. Do not hesitate to bring up any matter with the Foreign Minister or my Chief of Staff; they will bring it to my attention,” a statement by Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Chief Ajuri Ngelale quoted the President as saying. The event, which took place on September 21 at The Madison Main Ballroom, The Lotte New York Palace was coordinated by Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun. The luncheon served as a platform for fostering dialogue between potential investors and Nigerian leaders, aimed at exploring investment opportunities for Nigeria’s socio-economic development. Before last week’s engagement with the envoys, there has been a barrage of bold, strategic and game-changing economic reforms and policies encapsulated in President Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope agenda aimed at resetting the economy for sustainable growth. Some of them include scrapping the obnoxious and corrupt-ridden fuel subsidy regime, ditching the fixed exchange rates to allow the naira trade freely at market-determined rates, tackling insecurity and implementing targeted social intervention programmes to cushion the difficult but transient impact of the administration’s essential policy reforms particular the removal of fuel subsidy. The Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia gave more insight into some of the irresistible incentives on offer to prospective investors particularly those interested in exploring the myriad of investment opportunities in Enugu State across key sectors such as energy, power and transport, ICT, agriculture, tourism and others. Prof. Onyia, who said the state government, is currently collaborating with the Indonesian Government to foster mutual prosperity, capital flows and diversification of Indonesian industries into the state said the administration of Governor Peter Mbah recognises private investment as a key driver of long-term economic growth and prosperity. The SSG, who spoke at a recent news conference in Lagos to herald the Nigerian Indonesian Investment and Trade Forum (NIITF) 2023 said the governor, being a product of the private sector, understands that investors need an enabling business environment to inject capital. Onyia said: “We know that ease of doing business; infrastructural availability and adequate security are critical to successful investments. We have thus created here in Enugu State a one-stop-shop for the registration of businesses. We intend to make a N2 trillion investment in infrastructure in our state in the next four years.” Continuing, Prof. Onyia said: “We have also begun tackling significant issues with the business enabling environment under the direction of the World Bank State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER). “We are also reviewing the state’s land administration and land investment processes, our Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy frameworks and services for investment promotion. “The state has also invested in a GIS platform, and we are currently streamlining the state’s tax and land administration systems. These will ensure that services for investment support are efficient. The NIITF was aimed at showcasing the best of Nigeria’s non-oil produce, driving FDI and increasing the trade balance between Nigeria and Indonesia. This year’s edition of the Forum themed “Rediscovering Business Potential in Nigeria” was held last month in October in Jakarta, Indonesia, after its inaugural edition last year. The President, of Nigeria Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), Ishmael Balogun said the Forum had a very robust lineup of participants both from the public and private sectors from Nigeria and Indonesia. According to him, areas of focus include but not limited to manufacturing, renewable energy, power generation, infrastructure development, health, agriculture, transportation, mining, digital economy and much more.
    The Enugu State Government was the headline sponsor for this year’s NIITF event, with Governor Mbah delivering the keynote address. “Our mission is to make Enugu the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living in Nigeria,” Prof. Onyia said, at the news conference that heralded the event. In an interview with The Nation, the Enugu State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Adaora Chukwu, emphasized that the state’s partnership with the Indonesian Government was based on Governor Mbah’s initiative to raise the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in the next eight years.
    Lagos State eyes Africa’s premier financial centre spot

    The Lagos State Government has raised the bar in the aggressive hunt for foreign investors, with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu inaugurating the Lagos International Financial Centre (LIFC) Council, on Friday, September 3, to help drive the bold vision of bolstering the position of Lagos as Africa’s premier financial centre. The initiative is a ground-breaking public-private sector collaboration between the Lagos State Government and EnterpriseNGR, a not-for-profit private sector advocacy group that promotes the growth and development of Nigeria’s Financial and Professional Services (FPS) sector as a catalyst for economic development. The LIFC Council so established is charged with providing strategic oversight, guidance, and coordination towards transforming Lagos as Africa’s premier financial centre and investment destination of choice. Sanwo-Olu, who described the LIFC Council as “Transformational,” said it underscored his administration’s unwavering commitment to transform Lagos into a global economic and financial powerhouse that is safe and secure. Members of the LIFC Council are drawn from both the public and private sectors; the Council will collaborate with stakeholders across the federal, state and local government levels, alongside regulatory bodies, to actualise the state’s ambitious vision to become a global economic and financial hub. The Council’s mandate includes advising on measures to attract foreign investment, monitor progress, address identified challenges, and suggest improvements as needed. It has Sanwo-Olu as Chair, and EnterpriseNGR’s Chairman, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, as Co-Chair of the Council. Beyond inaugurating the LIFC Council with the aim of captivating global investors, unveiling the state’s huge potential as an investment destination of choice, and paving the way for a transformative era of economic prosperity, the governor also announced his administration’s plan to take its ‘Open for Business’ message to the Lord Mayor’s Show in London. The Lord Mayor’s Show is an annual event held in the City of London, United Kingdom, to celebrate the inauguration of the new Lord Mayor, Prof Michael Raymond Mainelli. Sanwo-Olu said the invitation extended to Lagos, the first African city to be so invited to participate at the Show, is a testament of the State’s growing global acceptance and visibility. “The invitation stands as a resounding endorsement of Lagos State’s commitment to excellence, as well as recognition of its increasing economic prominence. Lagos is not just going to London for the parade and pageantry; this visit has a more strategic purpose. This is a prime opportunity to showcase Lagos on a global platform,” he said.
    Insecurity may throw a spanner in the works
    On the strength of the Federal and State Governments’ focused commitment to reclaiming Nigeria’s once dominant position in international business, trade and investment by de-risking the business environment via reforms to woo investors, the confidence of the global investment community in Africa’s most populous country is gradually receiving a boost. The United Kingdom High Commissioner in Nigeria, Dr. Richard Montgomery, confirmed this heart-warming development, last week when he said Nigeria is fast becoming a regional and global powerhouse, attributing the feat to the various reforms and multi-sector re-organisations initiated by the Tinubu administration. The British envoy, who observed in a goodwill message at the 2023 Cabinet Retreat, organised for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries and top government functionaries, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, assured Nigeria of the UK’s continued support in the spirit of mutual respect and partnership. Dr. Montgomery, while recognizing Nigeria as a growing regional and global powerhouse, applauded your President Tinubu’s plans to stabilise the economy and put it on a higher growth path to prosperity on which so much else depends. The British envoy projected that Nigeria will likely become the third largest country in the world by 2050.,
    But as prospects of Nigeria becoming a choice destination for investment are, insecurity remains a big challenge. In fact, given the current pervasive insecurity across the country, business operators and experts fear that without tackling insecurity, the growing enthusiasm among the local business community and foreign investors may be cut short. Across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, insecurity is arguably, the biggest heartache for the authorities and Nigerians generally. And it is also clipping the wings of local and foreign investors, with many companies forced to flee conflict-prone areas.
    Geophysicist and Project Manager, Olufemi Adegbulugbe, did not mince words when he said without tackling insecurity that discourages both local and foreign investment and addressing unstable government fiscal and monetary policies, “Tinubu’s foreign trips to seek foreign investment is a case of putting the cart before the horse. It will only terminate in unfulfilled promises and lost hope.”

  • 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.

  • Despite NHF contributions, workers lack shelter

    Despite NHF contributions, workers lack shelter

    The establishment of the National Housing Fund by the Federal Government through Decree No. 3 of 1992 was aimed at providing funds for workers to build their own houses while in active service. It is to provide soft loans for workers with a repayment period of 30 years. Many Nigerians are of the view that the fund is meant only for workers in the public service. However, while these workers have, over the years, made contributions from their salaries to the fund, they have found it difficult to access the money for the purpose it is meant. Ironically, these monies deducted from their salaries have not been remitted to the appropriate quarters. This prompted the House of Representatives to institute an investigation into the matter. TONY AKOWE reports.

    In June 2022, the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Dr. Dasuki Arabi put the figure of federal civil servants drawing their salaries through the Integrated Personnel Payroll and Information System (IPPIS) at an estimated figure of 720,000. The BPSR D-G, who spoke at the 42nd session of the media briefing coordinated by the Presidential Media Team said: “We have a one-shot opportunity to look at IPPIS and say, as of today, we have 720,000 public servants working for Nigeria. This is a great achievement which I think we need to encode and we need to get it celebrated by us all.” These figures have not been disputed till date. Rather, the Director in charge of IPPIS in the Office of the  Accountant-General, Emma Deko said they were only in charge of those working in the Executive arm of government.

    He told the Adhoc Committee on Non-remittances of Deduction from Workers’ salaries for the National Housing Fund that “IPPIS is not in charge of every employee of the Federal Government. IPPIS is only covering the executive arm. So, what I am saying is that, IPPIS is not in charge of every employee of government.”  What this means is that the 720,000 figure does not include workers in the legislative and judicial arm of government nor does it include those working in the government-owned corporations.

     In addition, available data put the total figure of civil servants in the various states and the FCT at 89,511 with Imo State having the highest number with 5,825, followed by Kogi, Ogun, Delta and Akwa Ibom with 5,186, 4,669, 4,419 and 4,416 respectively. The FCT, Zamfara and Yobe states are at the rear with 533, 543 and 744 respectively. This brings the total number of civil servants, apart from those working in the executive arm of government to 809, 512.

     The National Housing Fund requires Nigerians in the public and private sector earning an equivalent of the National Minimum wage or above to make a contribution of 2.5 per cent of their monthly basic salaries into the fund which is to be managed by the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria.

     The Fund is a mandatory contributory scheme for all Nigerian workers to create liquidity towards affordable mortgage financing for home ownership. The scheme was introduced to address the problem of shortage of long-term funding for affordable housing delivery in Nigeria, specifically targeted at low and medium-income earners.

    The Nation investigation revealed that, apart from the mandatory contribution of workers, commercial and merchant banks are, by law, supposed to invest 10 per cent of their loans and advances portfolios in the fund.

     In addition, insurance companies are also mandated to invest 20 per cent of non-life and 40 per cent of life funds in the housing sector with not less than 50 per cent paid directly in the fund through the Federal Mortgage Bank.

     Section 6 of the NHF Act states that “every registered insurance company shall invest a minimum of 20 per cent of its non-life funds and 40 per cent of its life funds in real property development of which not less than 50 per cent shall be paid into the Fund through the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria…”

     Also, Section 12 of the Act provides for how the funds will be obtained. It states that “the Bank shall, at the end of every year after careful examination of the audited annual accounts of each insurance company, determine the amount due from the insurance company and shall issue a demand notice of the amount due from the insurance company for purposes of investment in the Fund.” It further provides that “the insurance company shall, on the receipt of a demand notice from the bank, pay the amount within one month of the demand into the Fund.” The section also provides for sanctions for insurance companies that fail to comply with the law.

     It states that “failure by any insurance company to pay to the bank any amount due under sub-section (2) of this section shall be regarded as a contravention of this Act and shall constitute one of the grounds for which the Commissioner for Insurance may cancel the registration of an insurance company in default.”

     However, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) debunked that provision of the Act, saying that insurance companies are not statutorily required to contribute percentages of their insurance funds to the housing sector.

     An official of the insurance regulatory body told The Nation that “the Insurance Act only authorises general insurance companies to invest not more than 20 per cent of their insurance funds and not more than 40 per cent for life insurance companies.”

     According to the official, these investments are sourced from the premium paid by policyholders and must be accounted for. Any insurance company that invests more than the law stipulates, he said, will be sanctioned.

     He further said that making such investments is entirely at the discretion of the insurance company that wants to do so which they make as an investment decision. He also said that individual insurance companies were mandated by law to make contributions on behalf of their members of staff to the NHF, saying, however, that “there is no law mandating insurance companies to invest in the housing sector. Life companies can allocate as much as 40 per cent of insurance funds to this asset class, whereas non-life companies have a limit of 20 per cent.”

     The Federal Government is also supposed to make financial contributions to the fund. However, the Federal Mortgage Bank said apart from the workers’ contributions, other statutory contributors have not been forthcoming with their contributions.

    In determining the amount due to the fund from the insurance company every year, the FMBN is supposed to carry out a careful examination of the audited annual account of the insurance companies, after which it will issue a demand notice of the amount due.

     Section 12(3) of the NHF Act states that “failure by any insurance company to pay to the bank any amount due… shall be regarded as a contravention of this Act and shall constitute one of the grounds for which the Commissioner for Insurance may cancel the registration of an insurance company in default.”

     The 54 registered companies have reportedly failed to remit about N267 billion to the fund, while no punitive measure has been taken against any of them by the law. It is not clear how much commercial banks that are also supposed to make contributions owe the fund.

    An investigation by The Nation revealed that the NHF would have amassed trillions of naira from monthly contributions of workers since its inception, but the Managing Director of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, Madu Hamman said only N561 billion has so far been remitted to the Bank from 2011.

     Calculation by The Nation revealed that with a minimum of N100 deduction monthly, the fund would have about N72 million monthly, amounting to about N864 million annually. On the other hand, with a contribution of N1,000 monthly, the fund would be enriched by N720 million monthly and N8.6 billion in one year.

     However, a pay slip of one of the federal civil servants sighted by The Nation revealed that a level 11 step 5 worker on the Consolidated Health Salary Scale with a salary of N258,191 monthly has about N4,889.76 deducted as a contribution to the Housing fund every month.

     Incidentally, while saying that deduction from workers’ salaries was automatic as the system is automated, the IPPIS is not able to account for billions of naira deducted from workers as contributions to the NHF. The House Committee was also shocked to learn that the IPPIS that carries out these deductions does not even know how much of workers’ money they deduct monthly neither can they explain why the money is not remitted to the Federal Mortgage Bank as provided in the law.

     In response to queries from the committee members, the Director of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), Emma Deko said: “We cannot talk about evidence of remittance without deductions, because it is only when you deduct that you can remit. I must be sincere that, we have been trying to collate this information because it relates as far back as 2011 to date. We have been on it, but we have one constraint and that constraint is the fact that after deductions, we remit.

    “There are instances where the cash backing may not cover the entire salary wage bill for a particular month, and in that instance, we are directed to pay only the net, which means that, all deductions will be stepped down.

     “It should be on record that I became the Director of IPPIS in February 2023, and when I assumed duty, I observed from records that, from December 2022 to the point I joined, they’ve already been paying net. And I also went through the  and discovered that there were instances like that in the past. It made us understand that, it is not all deductions that were remitted and it is not the fault of IPPIS. IPPIS is meant to deduct and remit. And that brings me to the point that, remittance, payment of salaries is not done in IPPIS, we only process.”

     Trying to exonerate his agency from blame, the IPPIS Director said: “There are four payment gateways engaged by the government to do the payment, Nigeria Interbank Payment System (NIPS), E-Transact, Remita and GIFMIS.

     “These are not situated within IPPIS. We only process and they have the gateway to remit these monies. Why I am saying this is because the records of remittance are not with us. Since this instruction was sent to me by my boss, we have been trying to reach these people, and till this morning, we, even our members of staff were online till 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. to get these records so that we can answer this committee. We have been getting them in piecemeal.

     “So, we were not able to get everything coherently based on what this committee wants, but we are on it. We are bound to respond to this Committee.”

     He also shifted blame to the Central Bank of Nigeria for their inability to reconcile the amount deducted and the amount remitted to the appropriate agencies.

     He said: “We are not able to do certain things because we are constrained. For instance, the money is in CBN. When these remittances are done, the CBN is supposed to get us statements. Sometimes when they give you statements, maybe payment was made to 100 people, they will give you a figure of N10 billion and you ask for the breakdown to do reconciliation as an accountant. But, it is difficult, it is not only in IPPIS, it is in all the accounting cadres.

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    “We have been facing this problem, we cannot reconcile our accounts because they give you bulk figures, and with those figures, you cannot reconcile. My colleagues from the Auditor-General’s office are aware of this. So, this is our constraint. But, we were able to put down something for now, just to respond to you. We are on it, we will respond fully as the information trickles in.”

     The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has, however, accused the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria of collecting money from Nigerian workers and giving the same to private housing developers to the detriment of workers who contribute to the National Housing Fund and yet cannot access the houses built with their money.

     The Labour Centre said because of the attitude of officials of the Federal Mortgage Bank, workers in the private sector have since stopped their contributions to the fund, while those in the public sector are considering doing the same.

    The NLC argued that in contravention of the law establishing the NHF, the FMBN has failed to send to workers the status of their contributions which they are supposed to do every month as well as the interest in it. The Congress further said that workers in the country cannot conveniently say what their monthly contributions are used for by those saddled with the responsibility of managing it.

    It said: “Despite making the statutory contributions of 2.5 per cent of annual salary to the National Housing Fund, it is insensitive that many workers are unable to access the loan due to administrative bottlenecks. While the Act provides for 90 days from the date of application for the loan to be disbursed, the experience by many workers is horrific as the undue delay in approving the loans forces many workers to abandon the pursuit of the loan or resort to third-party agencies to fast-track the loan application, obviously at an unofficial fee; thus creating the perception of corruption in the process of housing loan approval and disbursement to workers who need these funds. There are also issues of statutory bottlenecks that make it difficult for workers to access housing loans.

      “Top on this list is the requirement for the provision of land title especially in the form of a Certificate of Occupancy before a worker can access a housing loan. It is public knowledge that the process of getting a Certificate of Occupancy in Nigeria is akin to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. This challenge is endemic given the chaos in land administration in Nigeria as many states are yet to institutionalise fully digitalised geophysical information services to aid the seamless release of Certificate of Occupancy amidst other constraints.”

    They also alleged that many of the Houses delivered to Nigerians under the Housing Fund are poorly constructed while workers are forced to source loans from commercial banks or exhaust their savings to renovate such houses.

     The Congress also alleged discrimination against Workers’ Housing Cooperatives in favour of Estate Developers in contravention of Section 14 of the NHF Act, adding that “evidence abounds that private estate developers access NHF funds more seamlessly than Workers Housing Cooperatives.

     “It is common knowledge that houses built by private developers are commercially oriented and priced for profit maximisation and, therefore, beyond what workers can afford. This is why many private estates in many urban centres in Nigeria are unoccupied years after development.” the NLC said.

     However, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas said: “The House of Representatives is alarmed at allegations of non-remittance of workers’ contribution by employers and in other cases, mismanagement and misappropriation of the hard-earned salaries of Nigerian workers, by the administering institution.”

     He, however, said the House will ensure that those who mismanage contributions by workers to the National Housing Fund are made to account for it.

     Abbas said the National Housing Fund (NHF) represents a commitment to addressing one of the most fundamental needs of the citizens which is affordable housing. He said the NHF which was established in 1992 was designed to ensure that Nigerians have access to affordable housing with workers in both the private and public sectors contributing 2.5 per cent of their monthly earnings to this Fund.

     He further said the House will look into this law establishing the fund which is now obsolete while injecting new ideas that will make it in tandem with the modern-day needs of the people.

     He said: “As a noble initiative rooted in the principles of collective responsibility, the scheme identifies the critical need to ensure access to affordable housing by hard-working Nigerians, to bridge the housing deficit gap in the country.

     “However, for this to become a reality, we all know it is crucial that the Fund is managed transparently, efficiently, and in strict adherence to the law.”

     While expressing disappointment over how the contributions of workers have been managed, the Speaker directed a proper investigation into allegations of non-remittance to the National Housing Fund and critically reviewed the utilisation of the Fund from 2011 to date.

     He said: “The allegations of non-remittance are grievous and we must uncover the truth, to hold those responsible accountable and safeguard the interests of those who have diligently contributed to this Fund.”

     The Chairman of the Committee, Dachung Musa Bagos said the House will ensure that justice is done to the contributions of Nigerian workers by those saddled with the responsibility to administer the funds.

     The Committee, however, asked the management of the FMBN to report back to the House with proper documents of contributions by Nigerian workers and how these contributions have been managed following conflicting information contained in their presentation.