The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ensure

  • ‘How to ensure airlines’profitability’

    Indigenous  airlines can brace the inclement environment by forming healthy partnerships, African Business Aircraft Association (AFBAA) Chairman Nick Fadugba has said.

    Fadugba, in an interview last week in Lagos, said though Nigeria was recovering from recession, airlines could latch onto the huge size of the air travel market through partnerships to compete favourably  with others.

    He said: “Nigeria is blessed with the biggest domestic aviation market on the African Continent, bigger than South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia and many other countries. And yet we have not been able to harness this market for our own benefit. The beneficiaries are foreign airlines. Our airlines need to work together. If you have five aircraft, 10 aircraft, it is nothing in the world of aviation.

    “We need a critical mass. If you look at Ethiopia, they have 100 aircraft that is one airline, and yet we have 10 airlines here with maybe  five aircraft each. We need to work together, otherwise, the economies of the business are not in favour of the operators.

    “They need to come together to scale up to get a critical mass. They can work together in training, maintenance, in spare pooling and aircraft acquisitions. There are many areas African airlines and Nigerian airlines, in particular, can work together. So, we need more cooperation in Nigeria among our airlines.”

    Specifically, he advised operators  to leverage their operations through the pooling of fleet, training of personnel and co-running a maintenance repair and overhaul facility, among other options, until the government introduces a more thorough approach to funding aviation.

    The AFBAA chief said running maintenance, repairs and overhaul facility required a sound business plan, pooling of resources, competent management, scheduling aircraft, training and retraining of experts, among other critical needs.

    He said in Africa, aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market was worth over $2.4 billion but Nigerian carriers were unable to tap into the market.

    Describing the situation as unfortunate, he said this goldmine had remained untapped over the years in most parts of Africa.

    Nigeria, on its own part, he said, has joined the league of MRO providers following the establishment of one such facility by the oldest domestic carrier, Aero Contractors.

    The airline has carried out the first C-Check on Boeing BB737 Classic after almost two decades.

    Fadugba said to have an efficient MRO facility would require support from the government and financial institutions for low-interest loans and development of infrastructure, especially for airports to attract traffic.

    According to him, the government can support such initiatives through the allocation of land around airports at affordable cost.

    He urged FAAN to adopt a policy of giving land at little or no cost to attract investments in tooling hangar and manpower training.

    Noting that Africa’s MRO business should be exploited, Fadugba lamented the absence of MROs in West Africa, taking cognisance of aircraft type available for line maintenance, and the possibility of business for potential investors.

    To him, airlines that have aircraft MRO providers include Air Algerie Technics, EgyptAir Maintenance & Engineering, Ethiopian Airlines MRO, Kenya Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Morocco, South African Airways Technical, and Tunis Air Technics.

    Fadugba said one of the benefits of MROs was that it would spark competition from foreign providers, leading to better pricing for African operators.

    He said such situation would also enhance timimg, create jobs and training for the local population while making substantial contribution to the economy.

    He listed other challenges to airlines setting up MROs to include access to bureaucratic interference, sourcing, attracting, training and retaining a skilled workforce, reputation for performance and tolerance for risk.

    Analysing MRO trends globally, Fadugba said: “Most airlines are looking for cost-effective solutions to address their MRO requirements/outsourcing arrangements, potentially with subsidiaries and through joint ventures. The larger MROs are providing a wider range of products to cater for higher levels of outsourcing by airlines,’’ he added.

    Noting that older aircraft are being retired as new ones enter airline fleets, he said there was high aircraft utilisation by low-cost carriers, who outsource their maintenance requirement.

    The implications of this, Fadugba observed,  is that new aircraft will generate fewer maintenance. While new aircraft are more reliable and require more advanced and expensive MRO capabilities, he added that new skills, knowledge and capabilities are equally required.

    “Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are providing options at point of new aircraft sales:  Engines and components becoming more complex and reliable. Independent MROs impacted as OEMs grow market share.

    ‘’Outsourcing of engine and components overhaul is now a standard practice for most airlines. Airlines are opting for pooling contracts with reliable component suppliers”, Fadugba said, adding that Africa is becoming more attractive to investors.

    Fadugba said the key to MRO’s success is the understanding of market dynamics in the sector.

    MROs may need to partner so as to increase expertise, improve systems, develop worldwide marketing coverage and generate reciprocal business with suppliers.

    “MRO Business is Capital Intensive and High Technology. The best way forward for Africa is co-operation, collaboration and win-win partnerships,”  he added.

     

  • Ensure gets new product

    Ensure Insurance has designed products that will change the way insurance works for Nigerians, Executive Director, Owolabi Salami, has said.

    Owolabi, who spoke with The Nation said the firm is fast, responsive and flexible, and helps customers to get back on track when life takes unpredictable turns.

    The firm’s primary objective, he said, is to deliver innovative insurance products that work for every customer.

    “From life insurance, education plans, motor insurance to home insurance, we’ve got you covered,” he said.

    He stressed that the firm settles all car insurance claims promptly and gives 15 per cent cashback on car insurance premiums if any customer makes no claims after 24 months.

    He said female drivers receive an additional 15 per cent discount on their car insurance policies while male premium car insurance plan members over 45 enjoy a 15 per cent discount.

    The firm also offers free towing of customer’s car, replacement car and dedicated personal car insurance claims relationship.

  • Fed Govt urges accountants to ensure prudence

    Fed Govt urges accountants to ensure prudence

    The Federal Government has urged accountants to remain prudent and accountable in the discharge of their duties.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, who spoke yesterday at the opening of the 22nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) in Abuja, said accountants are the first set of gatekeepers and should ensure that all transactions are conducted prudently.

    “You are all witnesses to our government’s promises on diversifying the economic base of Nigeria, confronting the security challenges and dealing with corruption in all aspects of government businesses. In all these spheres, the role of accountants cannot be over-emphasised,’’ President Buhari, who was represented by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, said.

    He noted that the association’s choice of the theme: Sustainable  Economic Management in a Recession was timely and important.

    “To strengthen the fight against corruption, we launched the Whistle Blower Protection Policy and presented as Whistle Protection Bill 2016 to the National assembly in order to ensure and protect Nigerians for supporting this fight.

    “Also a firm implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA)  since September 2015 has significantly enhanced  transparency in the Federal Government’s  Public Financial Management System,’’ Buhari said.

    In the area of agriculture, the president explained that so far, 200,000 small holder famers, cultivating some 233,000 hectares of farmland in 29 states had benefitted from the Agricultural Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.  “We have revolutionised rice production to allow for nation self-sustenance and have impacted on fertiliser availability which eventually led to a sharp drop i the fertiliser price from N13,000 to N5,500 per 50 kg bag, ‘’ he said.

    Buhari, however, said  interestingly, power generation had peaked to an all-time high of 7,001 megawatts (Mw)in the third quarter of this year while aiming at 10,000Mw by year  2020.

    President of ANAN, Shehu Ladan praised the efforts of government in the management of recession through laudable programmes like the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP), inauguration of the Nigerian Industrial Policy and Competitiveness Advisory Council to boost the manufacturing sector of the economy through the formulation of sectoral and industrial policies.

    In the area of revenue generation, Ladan advised that government as a matter of policy should ensure that all registered companies submit audited accounts. According to him, the revenue of such companies can be verified by auditors and taxes from such revenue can be more accurate.

    Ladan commended the government for creating the framework for prosecuting the war against corruption and institutionalising probity by the setting up of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption.

  • ‘Ensure children stay in school’

    The Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Kayode Omiyale, has urged the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Mainland branch to ensure that children of school age are educated, irrespective of their parental background.

    He spoke during a meeting with the association at the council headquarters.

    Omiyale said: “Children that live within this local government must be enrolled in schools, whether they live with their biological parents or guardians.

    “It has been observed that when we send only our biological children to school, to the detriment of those who help to train the children, we are creating everlasting enmity.

    “It is the determination of this administration to ensure that hawking within Mainland Local Government, which includes Yaba LCDA, Is totally outlawed.”

    Omiyale said a vehicle would be provided by his administration with a token to assist the PTA members to monitor children from street to street and house to house by encouraging their parents to send their children or wards to schools.

    “The only way to eliminate illiteracy is to ensure that  all children have equal access to education despite their parental , economic or social strata in the society,” he added.

    PTA Mainland branch Chairman, Olusoji Adams, thanked Omiyale for the opportunities the dialogues offered.

    Adams urged him to provide the logistics necessary to monitor compliance by keepers of children to send them to schools without any discrimination. He also appealed to the government to fight for the defenceless children that are denied access to education.

  • TSA ‘ll ensure  better control of appropriation, others

    TSA ‘ll ensure  better control of appropriation, others

    The Treasury Single Account (TSA) introduced by the Federal Government may have elicited fears in certain sectors of the economy, but a  financial analyst and President, Nigerian Statistical Association (NSA), Dr Mohammed Tumala dismisses the fears as baseless. He says the initiative will create room for accountability, proper budgeting and implementation. He  tells OLATUNDE ODEBIYI that TSA implementation will pull the economy out of the woods.

     

    The TSA policy has generated so much controversy. As an expert, how do you think the policy could be implemented for national benefits?

    When Pattanayak and Fainboim wrote on the TSA, they recommended the resolution of what they observed as inefficiencies in governments’ lacking effective control over cash resources due to the operation of multiple bank accounts. Such governments fail to earn interest on idle cash balances, borrow to cover for cash shortages since treasuries are unaware of these balances. Commercial banks that hold government balances extend the extra cash as credit resulting in liquidity management costs to the central banks. The implementation of such a policy leaves Nigeria with no option in view of the fiscal problems that it is going through. Under the TSA, Nigeria stands to benefit from better control of its appropriation, budget execution, and efficiency in its payment system and timely availability of fiscal data for planning. There will also be no banking fees and transaction costs to government, and for the central bank its liquidity management cost could be reduced.  The implementation is very straight forward. All public sector agencies are to be captured and there are various sub-accounts under the TSA to ensure smooth running of government. States and local governments are expected to key in for national efficiency. So far, those who express reservation or disagree with the TSA are looking from the view point of commercial banks. I do not know of any economic theory or reality that anticipates government to save. Governance is about continuous investment and spending to improve the lives of its people. It borrows when cash is in shortage or increases tax rates. Commercial banks anticipate savings from households for on lending to government and corporate entities and not the other way round.

    How can policy makers explore the tool of statistics to mitigate the impact of revenue gaps and ensure sustained economic growth?

    So far, the present government has taken positive steps like the TSA, reduction in ministries and others to improve fiscal operations. It is also talking about economic diversification, and this has a potential to improve tax revenues to government. In addition to these steps, policy makers need to improve their understanding of Nigeria’s demography and needs of its people. Comprehensive population statistics such as: how many, where, what age, what they do and proper identification of each and every one becomes necessary. Assuming a secured and peaceful country, it is clear what we need to do to sustain economic growth. If you have one naira put it into education. Policy makers also need to appreciate that Nigeria’s greatest asset is the high population and but also our greatest burden is the uneducated high population. We also have the burden of high cost of operating the governance structure we have.

    The latest Global Competitive index report was published and Nigeria ranked 124th among the 144 countries covered by the report. What is your reaction to this?

    There is no need reinventing the wheel. The report is very clear on what the report portends for the country. In addition to the ranking, this is how the report made a summary about Nigeria: ”Africa’s most populated country, Nigeria, is encountering sustainability challenges especially in the social domain. Access to basic services remains very low for millions of Nigerians: only 28 per cent of the population has access to basic hygiene, and less than 65 per cent enjoys improved water. Similarly, safety nets and healthcare services are available only to a minority of people. These issues, typical of a developing economy, may jeopardize the future competitiveness of the country as they limit the country’s human capital.” FDI is attracted by educated and innovative human capital, for Nigeria, we are likely to be seeing more of foreign portfolio investments than direct investments pending general improvements in our human capital.

    The NSA has been pushing for statistics-based planning for development, especially at the state level. What informed this?

    The Nigerian Statistical System, or NSS established by the Statistics Act 2007 is incomplete without the prescribed and complimentary components at the state level. Secondly, Nigeria’s national development plans and strategies integrate all the states. To make official statistics comprehensive and qualitative, states must have statistics capabilities and skills for production. These are the reasons why the Association is working vigorously with other stakeholders in advocating for states to establish and strengthen their statistical systems. There is indeed an established high and positive correlation between the level of use of statistics for planning and outcomes of poverty alleviation programs. The zero budgeting being adopted by the current government with the National Planning Commission in the driver’s seat is a laudable step at the national level. States need to key in.

    Most states are yet to establish Bureaux of Statistics as a strategic step towards standardising the NSS. What is your association doing to tackle this lapse?

    So far, what we have been doing is advocacy and training of desk officers to improve on their skills in producing official statistics. I must say that the response has been low, but development partners are also rolling programs for states and MDAs at the national level. The need for strong statistics capabilities at the level of states with the SGDs commencing in 2016 cannot be overemphasised.

    Funding may delay Bureaux of Statistics at the state level because the Executive and Legislative arms of government may not understand the relevance of these agencies. How do you intend to address this?

    Yes, some state governors that we have interacted with pointed to fiscal realities as a problem. We were however quick to point out that establishing a state statistical system does not necessarily translate to additional cost of governance. The states have departments of statistics either in ministries of budget and economic planning, finance or state planning commissions. Ministries also have departments of planning, research and statistics. What states need to do to establish their statistical systems is to legally empower the departments of statistics to connect and coordinate the activities of the statistics officers in planning, research and statistics of all MDAs. It is simply about creating a team out of existing employees.

    Finally, sir what is the state of the Chartered Institute of Statisticians of Nigeria Bill now and how do you think its enacting into law would be beneficial to the country   The Bill is currently before Mr. President for his assent. The Institute is being established to among other things to; advance the use of statistics in research and socio-economic analysis, enhance statistical practice and quality of statistics, promote and development of statistics education for both the public and the profession, and also to provide leadership and direction to the public in matters relating to statistical theory and its application. One major benefit to the nation is the uplifting of the standards used in the production of statistics within the National Statistical System and its consequence on the use of such data.

     

  • I’ll ensure a Lagos for all, says Ambode

    I’ll ensure a Lagos for all, says Ambode

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has said he will ensure a Lagos where the average resident lives, works, enjoys and prospers.

    The governor spoke at the Inauguration Dinner to herald his swearing into office as the 14th Governor of Lagos State at the Convention Hall of the Eko Hotels, Victoria Island.

    He said his administration would harmonise tourism, entertainment, arts and sports.

    “When we say you should live in Lagos, work in Lagos and enjoy with Lagos, we mean that we are going to put tourism, entertainment, arts and sports together for excellence, and that is what I have always been preaching and that is what we are going to work for in the next four years.

    “I just want to enjoin all of us that with the collaboration we have had, we want each and every one of us to come together to start to bring the ideas that can give us an ideal Lagos.

    “This is what the All Progressives Congress (APC) stands for and that is what that Change is all about and that is what the party has decided at the national level and state levels that it is going to give to Nigerians,” he said.

    The Governor thanked all those who graced the occasion, including the members of the Diplomatic Corps and the business community.

    Former Governor Babatunde Fashola later proposed a toast to the governor, his wife, Bolanle, Deputy Governor Mrs. Oluranti Adebule and the new administration.

    The event was also attended by the husband of the deputy governor, Saheed, former Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, wife of Osun State Governor Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and others.

  • ‘NLC, INEC to ensure credible polls’

    ‘NLC, INEC to ensure credible polls’

    THE new leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that it holds violence-free, fair and credible elections.

    In his acceptance speech, the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba,  said Nigerian workers could not compromise on credible elections, since it was one important area the nation should get right.

    “Just like we campaigned for the implementation of the Justice Uwais Report on Electoral Reforms, we will work for a free and fair 2015 elections,” Wabba said.

    He said the new leadership was aware of challenges facing the Nigerian worker, adding that they would be addressed.

    “Comrades, we are not unmindful of the huge challenges in front of us as Nigerian workers and as Nigerians in the socio-economic and political realm. We are determined to identify these challenges and to confront them squarely in the coming months. Already, we have highlighted some of those we considered very urgent in our manifesto document, and I won’t need to repeat them here.

    “To our comrades, who contested the elections with us, we want to say that there are ‘no winners’ and ‘no losers’. If anything, it is the Nigerian worker that is the ‘winner’.

    “We extend our arm of fellowship and comradeship to all comrades who contested various positions with us, to join hands with us to build the NLC of our dream,” Wabba said.

    However, the other factions led by the President, National Union of the Electricity Employees, Comrade Joseph Ajaero, who lost to Wabba, has vowed to hold a fresh election.

    The Restoration Group, as they called themselves, said the process was faulty and unacceptable.

    They accused the former NLC President, Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, of engineering the emergence of Wabba and rejected the outcome of the election.

    They said a fresh  election would hold in Lagos on March 21.

    But the national executive of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN)  yesterday congratulated Wabba on his election.

    The National Secretary of the IPMAN, Mr. Danladi Pasali, in a statement, said the peaceful election of Wabba was a sign of solidarity and transformation of the country’s labour movement.

    He said with vast experience in unionism, Comrade Wabba would protect the interest of the Nigerian worker and sustain the achievements of the past leaders.

  • Helping food producers to ensure produce safety

    Helping food producers to ensure produce safety

    The increasing growth  and globalisation of the food and agriculture  industry markets, advances in science and technology and changes in consumer habits, require a national food safety system that are capable of dealing with the challenges demanded by consumers and trade. This was the spear  point  of  the United Nations Industry Development  Organisation(UNIDO) workshop in proficiency  testing held in Lagos. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

    Recent reports of a rice product recall, following the discovery of a banned colorant in South Africa, highlighted the need for reliable product testing.

    The  testing found Methyl Yellow and Sudan 1 – which can make food unsafe because of the possible toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Both substances described by the World Health Organisation(WHO) as representing possible risk to human health,  are prohibited and unsafe for human consumption.

    Incidents  like  this  are also been tackled by Nigerian health and  agrifood  inspectorate    officials  as a  lot of food products with illegal colorants which ought to have been identified have  passed  through the borders and seaports.

    In addition, there  have been cases of  mycotoxins being  collected from complete feed and  premix and  the  results were quite alarming.  This has been shown to have not only impacted on animal performance but also on consumer safety, necessitating  the  call to ensure existing testing laboratories are up to scratch to  conducting   comprehensive analytical chemistry proficiency testing scheme in the food sector.

    Experts discovered that while  some  laboratories   have many checks and controls in place, only a  national  proficiency testing scheme could provide the fully independent external checks required to impartially assess the accuracy of their procedures.

    This  informed  the  organisation  of  a national   workshop  on  Proficiency Testing Seminar/Training according to ISO 17043:2010, organised  by  United  Nations Industrial Development Organisation in Lagos (UNIDO).

    Speaking  at  the  event, the  Representative and Regional Director, UNIDO, Dr. Patrick Kormawa,   said the  availability of safe food is the result of an integrated approach in which all players in the chain have specific responsibilities and implies the assurance of safety in all stages of production, processing, storage and distribution.

    To this end, he  said  a  robust   national food accreditation  system is  what  Nigeria  should  dream  of,   if she  is to  produce  food products that meet international quality standards.

    Kormawa said accomplishing  this, however, require  innovative criteria, creativity and a willingness for teamwork, in both the public and the private sector and  analytical laboratories to  ensure   safety given the complexity of the food production chain.

    Kormawa ,who spoke through Lead expert, accreditation, Mr. Stephen Cross,  said  Nigeria  needs  quality   laboratories to carry out various types of analysis.

    He explained  that  the  National Quality Infrastructure (NQI) for Nigeria Project is a 12 million Euro Project and part of the collaborative initiatives of the European Union, UNIDO and the Federal Government to stimulate the competitiveness of Nigeria.

    The  goal, according  to him,  is  to   prepare Nigeria for an economic future that is built on a platform of inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

    His words: “Nigeria is fast shedding its reputation as a mono-product economy and, in line with recent economic policies of the Federal Government, more sectors have been identified that exhibit Nigeria’s comparative advantage. The Food and Beverage industry is clearly a strong leader in this category. I am pleased to inform you that today’s event prepares us to achieve one of the five objectives of the NQI Project – the Establishment of a National Accreditation Body.”

    Kormawa said  the   NQI Project aims to support the improvement and establishment of standards and quality control agencies in order to advance the quality of products and services exchanged in the Nigerian and international markets – the goal is to improve the competitiveness of Nigeria’s private sector and ensure the protection of its consumers.

    He  noted that the project  objective is  pursuing  the enthronement  of the best practice principles ,adding  that  this  would help   all laboratories in the country qualify to meet the accreditation requirements outlined by the ISO 17025 standard.

    Kormawa  stressed  the  importance of proficiency testing as a requirement for establishing an accreditation framework to support trade and industrial growth for businesses and the economy.

    He  commended  the role played by European Union (EU) to support this initiative together with UNIDO to help develop a conducive environment for a localised accreditation services and ensuring that the different elements of Nigeria’s Quality Infrastructure support the recommendations set out in ISO/IEC 17043, General Requirements for Proficiency Testing Scheme Providers.

    He  said  UNIDO and the EU place great reliance on the role of laboratories as the bedrock of quality assurance systems to ensure that products and services traded in Nigeria conform to standards requirements for safety, integrity and marketability.

    The outcome, he   explained , would lead to greater trust in the Nigerian manufacturing sector, increase demand for ‘made-in-Nigeria’ products and a Nigerian economy that is more competitive for international trade.

    He  said  European Union has funded this National Quality Infrastructure Project to achieve five  major objectives: “The promulgation of a National Quality Policy, the establishment of a national accreditation body, helped with equipment and training for the national metrology institute,  facilitation of private sector participation and support to conformity assessment bodies, participation of the consumer protection council and other stakeholders in the nqi project through training and creating awareness on quality and consumer protection,we are working closely with the federal ministry of industry, trade and investment and promoting synergies with other ministries, departments and agencies as well as the organised private sector to meet these targets.”

    In  his  presentation,  an  international expert on proficiency testing, Mr Anthony Irungu,  stressed  that  the implementation of quality and safety assurance  system  is   a challenge which  can be  addressed  through   system of control and inspection based on laboratory testing.

    The system, he  added, also needs to  be   adjusted and staffed with trained personnel able to audit safety in the production chain on the basis of laboratories results.

    He stressed the   need  for  a strong training component to strengthen  the  food safety  system  to address risk-based preventive controls, produce safety and adulteration.

    To achieve  this ,he  noted  that testing  has  to be   used in conjunction with standard  verification measures in the food safety system.

    While this is recognized , Irungu noted  that  knowing  the   state of the  laboratories and standards for testing are critical.

    While, the  laboratories exist, he  emphasized  improving  the skills and training of the lab workforce, quality control processes employed, or access to technology.

    Irungu  said  training  should   include independent private laboratories and labs run and operated by federal agencies, states, or localities that demonstrate a capability to conduct one or more sampling and analytical testing methodologies for food and the  beverage sector.

    For a lab to become accredited for a specific sampling or analytical testing methodology, he  said   it must meet model laboratory standards..These standards,according  to him  should   include methods that ensure appropriate sampling, analytical procedures, and  that  international   available techniques are followed.

    Cross    said continuing remarkable run of economic growth will require businesses and governments to take more deliberate and purposeful steps to boost food safety.

    Cross,who  spoke  with  The Nation at  the sidelines  of a workshop  in Lagos  said  improving  standards  of accreditation of  laboratory  has a huge role in responding to the challenge of  shaping the nation’ competitiveness.

    He said UNIDO was  determined to help Nigeria build an accreditation system infrastructure to support the agility of the global production economy.

    An accreditation, he noted, is necessary  if Nigeria  is  going  to   become a recognized player within the international marketplace and this  require   ensure products and services are of the highest quality and recognised standards.

    He  said  UNIDO  places great emphasis on the improvement of the quality of the country’s products and services, for both the local  and export markets, and this  is  the central focus of the implementation of  proficiency testing  schemes and  the strategic intent on quality, quality assurance as well as on the overall development, enhancement and improvement of all quality infrastructure countrywide.

    To this end, Cross  said  the  organisation is  promoting  upgrading  and   accreditation of d Testing facilities  to strengthen the standardization process.

    Another   Consultant,  Engr  Charles  Okoro  said  accreditation also has a positive impact on the general public by stimulating higher standards of quality within laboratories. This, he  said,  would   lead to more consistently reliable test data, thereby contributing to more effective  safety regulation and to products of more consistent quality. Because the science of accreditation continues to improve, he  said   holding laboratories to even higher standards, will bring  more  public benefits.

    According to him, internationally recognised accreditation bodies around the globe are committed to this improved accreditation system and to maximizing the benefits of laboratory accreditation for all stakeholders.

    The general requirements for laboratory competence, he  noted   are described in the ISO/IEC 17025 standard. This standard establishes a global baseline for the accreditation of all types of laboratories. Since its origin in the late 1970s, ISO/IEC 17025 (formerly known as ISO Guide 25) emphasizes competence of laboratories to perform specified tests, not just mere compliance with requirements.

    Recognition of such competence, he  noted,  requires that laboratories obtain accreditation. The  accreditation involves on-site and performance assessments as well as ongoing proficiency testing.

    Accreditation of, especially, the chemical laboratories, he noted,   is very important  as  testing capacity is  expanded to cover needs of industry regulatory and consumer protection.

    The accreditation, he added, is highly significant  as it creates confidence in product tests, inspection and certification, which results in increased market access of export products  from Nigeria.

  • We ’ll ensure violence-free 2015 polls, says APC

    We ’ll ensure violence-free 2015 polls, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has assured Nigerians and the international community that it will ensure next year’s general election is violence-free.

    It said the rising apprehension about the polls among the populace was inimical to the conduct of a successful election.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed made the pledge in a statement yesterday in Lagos.

    The statement, however, said the party’s efforts should be complemented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government, which, the APC said, had a propensity for using the security agencies to harass and intimidate the opposition and the citizens.

    It added that the Federal Government should take necessary measures to ensure that the elections are free, fair and credible, stressing that “rigging and other acts of electoral malfeasance constitute the immediate trigger for anger and violence during and after elections.”

    The statement also reads: ‘’We have heard from Nigerians who are so afraid about possible violence during the election that they are even willing to relocate to other countries until after the elections. But, as the biggest opposition party in Nigeria and a major stakeholder in our nation’s democracy, we are assuring, on our part, that there will be no violence.

    ‘’Though our party has no history of violence, we have commenced a nationwide effort to sensitise our members and supporters to the need to eschew rancour and embrace non-violent methods, even in the face of the kind of provocations to which we were subjected during the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, when our members were needlessly

    harassed, arrested and detained by partisan security agencies acting under orders from the Federal Government.

    ‘’If the Federal Government allows a level-playing field for all

    contestants, if the security agencies stop acting as the armed wing of the ruling PDP, if the electoral umpire will carry out its duties without fear, favour or bias and if citizens are allowed to exercise their franchise unmolested, the stage will be set for a non-violent, free, fair and credible polls. In other words, the government has a major role to play in making the forthcoming polls peaceful.

    ‘’On our part, in addition to other efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful election, we pledge to accept the result of an election that is not only free, fair, credible and transparent, but one that is also seen to be so. We hope other parties will make a similar pledge.”

    The party said it demonstrated during its recent rancour-free and festive national convention in Lagos that elections should be a celebration of democracy, rather than a moment of fear, violence and threat to lives.

    It said far from mere rhetoric, it had taken practical steps, as far

    back as May 2014, to work with the PDP to ensure violence-free polls next year.

    ‘’Following up on a meeting of representatives of both parties in Washington, DC, United States, on April 7-8, 2014, under the auspices of the CSIS Nigeria Election Forum, at which it was agreed that a joint meeting of both parties be convened to discuss and agree on the crucial issue of a Code of Conduct for the campaigns and the elections, we wrote a letter to the PDP suggesting a bipartisan meeting to address the

    ‘’The PDP agreed to the proposal and suggested that it should be expanded to include the leadership of other political parties in the country. However, problem with logistics meant that the meeting did not hold.

    ‘’Even with the little time left for the election to hold, we strongly believe that a meeting of the leadership of the two political parties – the APC and the PDP – will send a powerful message to our compatriots and indeed the international community and douse the tension that is building up ahead of the election,’’ APC said.

  • IGP directs police chiefs to ensure tight security at Yuletide

    IGP directs police chiefs to ensure tight security at Yuletide

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar yesterday directed the specialised units of the police to join forces with the conventional police in providing water-tight security during the Yuletide.

    The IGP gave the directive in a statement in Abuja by Force spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).

    The specialised units of the police include the Police Mobile Force (Mopol), Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Protection Unit, Federal Highway Patrol and Explosive Ordnance Department.

    The statement said Abubakar also directed the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in charge of the 12 zonal police commands and Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of the 36 states to reorganise their security infrastructure.

    It said the IGP enjoined the officers to restructure their security strategy in line with their local environment and prevailing security situation to adequately protect the people during the period.

    “Covert operations, round-the-clock surveillance and robust vehicular patrols are being intensified, while particular attention is now constantly paid to strategic public places,” the statement said.

    It noted that tangible attention was being paid to places like worship and recreation centres, shopping malls, motor parks, strategic highways and government installations, to forestall criminal activities and guarantee security.

    Besides, the statement conveyed the IGP’s felicitations to Christians as they join other Christians across the world for the Christmas celebrations.

    It said Abubakar urged Christians to continue to observe the teachings of Jesus Christ by propagating peace, demonstrating love and forgiveness, while promoting harmonious coexistence with others, irrespective of their religious, ethnic or political leanings.

    The statement said the IGP thanked Nigerians for their understanding and renewed cooperation with the police in 2013, promising better service delivery from the police in the years ahead.

    It said Abuabakar urged Nigerians to strengthen their partnership with the police and other security agencies by providing useful information that would assist in curbing criminality.