The Nation Newspaper

Tag: license

  • Cross River secures license for 528mw floating power plant

    Cross River secures license for 528mw floating power plant

    The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday granted the Cross River State Government a power generation license for the construction of a 528MW floating power plant in the state.

    The license was handed over to a delegation from Cross River led by the state governor, Professor Ben Ayade in a brief ceremony at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

    The vice chairman  of the commission, Mr Sanusi Garba commended Governor Ayade for providing the enabling environment for investors to invest in the state.

    “I would like to commend Governor Ayade for providing the enabling environment for investors like MGIG to invest in power generation. Cross River is endowed with lots of natural resources which enables her to play a central role in the power sector”

    Also speaking during the license issuing ceremony, Governor Ben Ayade commended NERC for its capacity and professionalism while processing the license.

    “I thank the  management of NERC for its professionalism while processing this license considering that the last document in the application was submitted last year”

    Governor Ayade also used the opportunity to advocate for proper monitoring of DISCOS to ensure better service delivery.

    He said adequate supply of power is central to the industrialization policy of his administration and promised to assist NERC in carrying out its statutory functions.

    In his vote of thanks, a commissioner in the commission, Mr Dafe Akpeneye thanked Governor Ayade for his dynamism and charged state governments to assist NERC in the areas of safety and removal of buildings under high tension cables.

    According to Akpeneye, other areas his commission needs assistance include Customer enumeration, electricity theft and payment of bills.

  • FRSC to commence aggressive sanction of drivers without license

    FRSC to commence aggressive sanction of drivers without license

    With the observed disobedience to the regulation on the use of driver’s licence by some drivers in the country, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is organising a special operation targeted at detecting the violators and sanctioning them.

    This was disclosed by the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi while receiving the Secretary of Transportation for the FCT, Mr Kayode Opeifa during his courtesy visit to the FRSC National Headquarters Wednesday.
    According to Bisi Kazeem, Corps Public Education Officer, FRSC, the Corps Marshal said the practice of driving vehicle without proper driver’s licence as observed in some drivers is illegal and unacceptable to the FRSC, stressing that the perpetrators would be sanctioned accordingly. Oyeyemi further stated that traffic regulation requires that every driver must be properly licensed to operate a motor vehicle, and whoever violates this basic requirement would be apprehended and meted with appropriate sanctions to serve as deterrence to others.

    To this end, the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC has been directed to commence a special operation that could fish out the perpetrators of the act and sanction them accordingly.

    Mr Opeifa commended the leadership of the FRSC for the success recorded by the nation in the international recognition of the Nigeria Driver’s licence. He noted that due to the security features introduced into the licences, which make their validity to be verifiable online, many states in the USA have given reciprocal recognition to the holders of the licence from Nigeria, adding that the feats achieved by the FRSC over the years were made possible because of its adoption of technology and huge investment in information technology.

    He congratulated all the states of the Federation and the agencies that contributed to achieving the feat. He further observed that the credibility attained by the document and consequent international recognition remain a pride to the nation. In the same vein, Mr Opeifa commended the FRSC for its untiring campaign on roadworthiness of vehicles, not only in Nigeria, but within the West African sub-region where the FRSC presided over the affairs of the West African Road Safety Organization (WARSO) for a number of years during which visible results were recorded in creating road safety awareness among the people.

    The Secretary appealed for sustained collaboration with the FRSC to make the Electronic Vehicle Inspection Scheme pioneered by the FCT Administration a success, saying the contribution made by the FRSC towards the success of the project is well appreciated. He restated the willingness of the FCT Administration to tap into the experiences and synergy offered by the FRSC in the area of traffic management in the country with the aim of making Abuja a model for other states of the federation to emulate.

    He expressed support for the idea of establishing FCT Road Traffic Management Agency, noting that in view of the growing volume and sophistication of motor transportation business in the FCT, there is the need for the establishment of the agency to handle road traffic management in the FCT the Road Traffic Services would continue to play its traditional role of vehicle inspection and issuance of road worthiness certificates to motorists.

    In his remarks, the Corps Marshal commended Mr Kayode Opeifa for his immense contributions to the success of the Nigeria Road Safety Strategy document. He noted that with the approval given to the strategy document by the Federal Government and inauguration of the National Road Safety Advisory Council by the Vice President early this year, which drew membership from Governors and Ministers including some non- governmental organizations, Nigeria is set to tackle its road safety challenges as demonstrated by the political will of the government.

    The Corps Marshal further observed that some of the immediate challenges the Secretary would face in his assignments at the FCT includes the challenges of road traffic management during the peak period characterizing Christmas and New Year. Others he pointed out are prompt response to report of road conditions by the FCT administration, but expressed satisfaction with the promptness with which the FCT Minister has been responding to reports on road conditions in parts of the FCT. This he said has enabled safer road usage and prevented unnecessary gridlock in the FCT.

    Oyeyemi restated the view that the solution to eradicating mechanically deficient and rickety vehicles from plying the FCT roads lies in employing effective use of electronic vehicle inspection scheme. He assured the Secretary of the readiness of the FRSC to collaborate with the FCT Administration in ensuring the success of road safety initiatives in the FCT including maximum utilization of the vehicle inspection scheme for safety of roads in the FCT.

    The Corps Marshal further noted that part of the reforms carried out by the FRSC to protect the integrity of the driver’s licence was the policy of compulsory participation of fresh drivers in the driving school and certification by relevant agents before being captured for biometric data by the FRSC and vowed to sustain the integrity of the driver’s licences including the number plates.

  • Agitation for professionalism deepens as NIMN sets to license marketers

    Agitation for professionalism deepens as NIMN sets to license marketers

    To distinguish those who have demonstrated experience, proficiency, knowledge and exposure to marketing profession for effective practice, Nigeria Institute of Marketing NIMN, is now fully positioned and determined to enforce the provision of the NIMN Act, which mandates marketing professionals and marketing related organisations in Nigeria to obtain practice license from the institution.

    The license, which provides an inclusive environment for licensing marketing professionals from varied backgrounds, thereby leveraging the multidisciplinary  nature of the licensing field based on marketing knowledge standards. The president of the institute Mr Tony Agenmonmen made this known recently in Lagos where he clearly declared that there are thousands of marketing professionals in Nigeria who are not registered with NIMN, adding that by the position of the law, they are clearly in violation of the NIMN Act No 25 of 2003. He noted that the responsibility for compliance rests on both the individuals and the companies that employ them.

    According to him, “Section 20(2) of the Act states: If on or after the coming into force of this Act, any person who is not a member of the institute practices or holds himself out to practice as a marketer for, or in expectation of reward or takes or uses any name, title, addition or description, implying that he is in practice as a marketer, he commits and offence.” In view of its determination to encourage such erring members to comply with the provision of the law, NIMN has created a window of opportunity for a special Fast Tracked Executive membership programme. This programme covers all categories of membership, including associate, full member and fellow.

    Agenmonmen declared that interested professionals can register for the fast tracked programme through its online portal. He also added that those who may not be able to meet the requirement for the fast tracked executive membership will need to follow the examination route. Interested candidates have between September to December 2017 to undertake the programme.

    The NIMN president noted that this development is in line with the institution’s preference for non-use of force in driving compliance. “Our approach to compliance is to avoid the use of force, except this is a very last resort. We are convinced that it is in the collective interest of all true marketing professionals and marketing organisations to support the effort to ensure that only true and qualified marketers, practice marketing,” Agenmonmen said.

    At the expiration of the grace period, the NIMN president noted that a comprehensive register of marketing practitioners, including organisations that have registered and therefore are in compliance will be published. “Practitioners and organisations not in the register will be seen as unable or unwilling to comply with the provisions of the law and will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Act accordingly.

    “By January 2018, it will be compulsory for all companies recruiting into their marketing departments to indicate membership of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria as a mandatory requirement in addition to other qualification for employment,” Agenmonmen said.

    Still on the issue of membership, NIMN is also reaching out to about nine thousands of its over 10 000 members who have not been financially active, and whose membership of the institution have technically lapsed. This class of members has now been given up to December 2017 to regularise their membership by paying their accumulated subscription up to 2017. “If they fail to do so, their names will not be in the register and the provision of the Act will also apply,” Agenmonmen said.

  • Lagos gives auctioneer license to i-naira.com

    Lagos gives auctioneer license to i-naira.com

    The Lagos State government has issued licence to i-naira Integrated Resources Ltd to check quackery auctioneering.

    Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperative Prince Rotimi Ogunleye, who presented the licence to the firm, said Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has seen the need to encourage strict implementation of the law regulating auctioneers activities.

    He said Chapter 12, sub-section 2(1) stated: “A person shall not carry on the business of auctioning without a licence granted under this law authorizing him to carry on such business.”

    He said working in accordance with provisions of the law will ensure that quackery is contained to the barest minimum, and restore investors’ confidence in the state’s economy.

    He said: “It is paramount today to identify with a licensed practitioner either for the execution of court judgments or corporate bodies auctioning programmes or prominent artistes, because this is a huge sector that requires only people of integrity be allowed to play in there.”

    Ogunleye said it is no longer business as usual or a ‘free-flow’ market, where unqualified persons prey on unsuspecting corporate bodies to swindle them of their fortunes.

    “This is a globally recognised profession and currently developing in our clime. We expect it to develop, supporting cross-border auctioning activities. So, we encourage those who are receiving the operational licenses to play by the rules guiding their practice,” he said.

    He pledged the state government’s support to the Certified Institute of Auctioneers of Nigeria (CIAN) to uphold expertise for all matters relating to auctions and auctioneering.

    The firm’s founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hillary Nwaukor, expressed gratitude to the state government, pledging to play by the rule of the game, adding the industry will be rid of charlatans.

  • CBN may license new money transfer operators

    CBN may license new money transfer operators

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is considering licensing new International Money Transfers Operators (IMTOs) to join three certified operators – Western Union, MoneyGram and Ria, it was learnt yesterday.

    Industry sources said the apex bank is receiving new applications from prospective IMTOs jostling for the Nigeria market, and targeting huge dollar inflows from Nigerians in Diaspora, who remit over $21 billion annually to national coffers. The annual Diaspora remittance is expected to hit $35 billion this year following the devaluation of the naira, which remains an incentive for Nigerians in Diaspora to send more dollars home.

    The need to licence new operators, followed the exit of hundreds of international money transfer firms, after the CBN rolled out new guidelines stopping operations.

    “The CBN wishes to advise Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to beware of the unwholesome activities of some unlicensed International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs) in Nigeria. This warning has become necessary because of the activities of some unregistered IMTOs, whose modes of operation are detrimental to the Nigerian economy,” CBN Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Isaac Okorafor said.

    The CBN spokesman said all financial service providers in Nigeria, just as in other jurisdictions, are required to be duly licensed in order to protect both customers and the financial system as well as to ensure the credibility of financial transactions.

    ”For the avoidance of doubt, all licensed IMTOs, in line with the CBN Circular on the sale of foreign currency proceeds of July 22, 2016, are required to remit foreign currency to their respective agent banks in Nigeria for disbursement in Naira to the beneficiaries while the foreign currency proceeds are to be sold to Bureaux De Change operators, for onward retail to end users. The CBN will therefore not condone any attempt aimed at undermining the country’s foreign exchange regime,” Okorafor warned.

    WorldRemit, one of the international money transfer operators affected by the policy, said it sends more than 40,000 money transfers to Nigeria every month and receives more than $20 billion in remittances annually from migrants around the world.

  • Legislative license to rape?

    It took mere suspicion/or allegation of indiscretion bordering on inappropriate sexual solicitation for the United States to name and shame three Nigerian federal lawmakers last month after a visit to the “God’s own country”.

    According to the American envoy to Nigeria, the trio, earlier hosted at a capacity-building workshop, ended up exploring avenues to show “body no be firewood”.

    Now contrast the foregoing with the sheer depravity that unfolded at the senate chamber in Abuja last week and seeming official indifference so far. During a closed door session, Senator Dino Melaye reportedly said unprintable things against Senator (Mrs.) Remi Tinubu, the highlight of which was a threat to “rape and impregnate” a married woman.

    When the lewd tale first broke through the social media, I thought it was another of sick jokes that seem to define the senate nowadays. Later, Melaye defended that Mrs. Tinubu was the first aggressor. Assuming without conceding the Kogi West senator even had a case against Mrs. Tinubu, decency would require he still exercised some restraint. If only to disprove whatever the indecorous name he was called. But with unrepentant Melaye continuing the obscenity with a further muscular parade on the social media, followed with a photographic appearance on “Bourdillon street in Lagos” days later to underscore a lack of contrition, one finally gave up.

    He further spoilt matters by reportedly offering a qualified apology to the senate as a body at a closed session for the shameful conduct, but still thumping his nose defiantly at his victim.

    Infantilism has limits. Even in the seedy underclass, rascality has its own ethics.

    In case Melaye is still unaware, the moral victory is already appropriated by Mrs. Tinubu, a ranking minister in the Redeemed Church, who said in a statement that she had forgiven him, consistent with her Christian value.

    Until now, Melaye was added as my Facebook friend. So, the first precautionary step I then took in the circumstance was to quickly “unfriend” him from my circle. As a proud father, I certainly would not want to be seen by my brood, even if momentarily, in the shady company of self-confessed rapists.

    Taken together, the joke is ultimately on the nation. That is what you get when the legislative arena turns the playground of delinquents with poor values.

     

  • CBN to license non-interest MfBs

    CBN to license non-interest MfBs

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday released draft guidelines for the licensing and operation of non-interest microfinance banks (MfBs).

    Its Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Kelvin Amugo, who announced the new policy, said non interest (Islamic) Microfinance Bank (NIMfB) is licensed by  to carry on the business of providing financial services, engaging in trading, investment and commercial activities and also provideing financial products and services as specified in accordance with the principles of Islamic commercial jurisprudence.

    He explained that MfBs are expected to help in poverty reduction, increase access to financial services, contribute to financial stability and economic development.

    Beyond making credit facilities available to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the promotion of savings culture; MfBs also serve as veritable means of employment generation, enhancing financial inclusion, economic growth and development.

    He said: “Since 2005 when the CBN issued the first Regulatory and Supervisory Framework for MfBs in Nigeria (revised in 2013), they have continued to thrive and cater for the economically active poor. However, despite the increased number of MfBs in Nigeria, a large percentage of Nigerians still lack access to financial services.

    “This is attributable to high cost of transactions, abhorrence of interest and apathy to unethical investment by a significant part of the populace. It is in the light of these and other reasons, that the development of these guidelines becomes imperative.”

    He said the guidelines is aimed at, among other things, offering the public an alternative system of micro finance banking that operates based on the concept of profit and loss sharing rather than charging of interest.

    It is expected that the introduction of this concept would engender broader and healthier competition among MfBs which may in the long run, bring down the cost of doing business, he added.

  • Senator to El-Rufai: you lack right to license preachers

    Senator to El-Rufai: you lack right to license preachers

    The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, Senator Shehu Sani, has said Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has no right to license preachers.

    He said the religious preaching bill sent by the governor to the House of Assembly is uncalled for.

    The senator, who spoke yesterday in Kaduna at the 40th anniversary of Ansarul-Deen Youth Association of Nigeria (ADYAN), said: “Governor El-Rufai does not have a right to license preachers. Every Nigerian has a right to freedom of association and speech.

    “The bill sent to the assembly is a military decree, which is not applicable in a democratic setting.

    “There are laws to checkmate whoever hides under religion to foment trouble. This decree dusted and sent to the assembly in the name of a bill to regulate religious preaching is uncalled for.” He condemned the alleged plan by the government to tax petty traders, to raise the dwindling Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    Sani, who was given an award by the Islamic organisation, said it came at a time he was yet to deliver his campaign promises.

    Said he: “I’m happy to be honoured, but I cannot celebrate because the award is coming at a time when Nigerians are suffering. There is no electricity, there is queue at filling stations and so on.