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Tag: Stakeholders

  • Stakeholders fault collapse of export seats in Zone A Lagos

    Stakeholders fault collapse of export seats in Zone A Lagos

    Stakeholders in the Nigeria export value chain have faulted some clauses in Circular No. 12 on the collapse of some export seats in Zone A, Lagos state.

    They include shippers, consignees, freight agents, terminal operators, transporters, shipping lines, and workers.

    In a letter on their behalf by Adekunle Jones & Co to the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, they stated that the contentious paragraphs are capable of creating a coercive monopoly for the enrichment of the personal interest of private individuals.

    They added that the provisions are contrary to the national interest, and contravene existing laws, including the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, CAP C25, LFN 2004, Nigeria Export Guidelines, Nigeria Export Supervision Scheme, and the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for non-oil exports, ports, export processing terminals (EPTs) and Domestic Export Warehouse, among others.

    Other implications as outlined in the letter include that the clauses will create a bottleneck as the Lilypond Export Command does not have the facilities or capacity such as a good road network, stacking space, technical equipment, manpower, and physical possession of sea ports amongst others to merit the collapse of all Nigeria export in Lagos to a sole command/Lilypond Command.

    The letter reads in parts: “The bottleneck and monopoly is contrary to the ease of doing business and will lead to congestion, racketeering, exploitation, extortion, round-tripping, duplication of expenses and cost of Nigeria exports and economic sabotage of Nigeria.

    Read Also: Stakeholders seek action on food security in Ondo, Ekiti,  Osun

    “Smugglers would take advantage of the confusion and it will affect the export of lawful items from the country.

    “Possession of seaports must go hand in hand with the administration to checkmate illegalities, the opposite of which would further lead to needless, harsh policies that would negatively affect lawful exports which ought not to be in the first place.”

    The stakeholders called for an urgent review of the clauses.

  • Stakeholders seek government action to end maternal death from bleeding

    Stakeholders seek government action to end maternal death from bleeding

    Stakeholders have urged the government and other key players to promote policies and initiatives aimed at eliminating maternal deaths caused by Post-Partum Hemorrhage (PPH).

    Reports indicate that PPH remains the foremost cause of maternal mortality globally, emphasizing the critical need for timely interventions to prevent these tragic outcomes.

    A consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the MSI Reproductive Choices in London, United Kingdom, Dr. Adebayo Awoniyi, noted that effective prevention and management strategies are crucial to improving maternal health outcomes in Nigeria.

    Awoniyi listed uterine atony, trauma, retained placental tissue, and coagulation disorders, among others, to be the primary causes of PPH.

    “PPH is defined as the loss of more than 500ml of blood within 24 hours after vaginal delivery or more than 1000ml after cesarean section. It accounts for a substantial proportion of maternal deaths globally, with Nigeria having one of the highest mortality rates. Addressing this problem is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of reducing the global maternal mortality ratio,” Awoniyi noted.

    He added: “Preventing maternal deaths from postpartum haemorrhage in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach, including improved healthcare infrastructure, trained personnel, efficient supply chains, community engagement, and strong policy support. By addressing these challenges, Nigeria can make significant strides toward reducing maternal mortality and improving the health and well-being of mothers and their families.

    “More importantly, we must work towards prevention, and some actions to take will include good antenatal care which involves regular antenatal visits; monitoring and managing risk factors such as anaemia and hypertensive disorders; iron and folic acid supplementation to prevent anaemia.

    “It is also good to use skilled birth attendants. This involves training health workers, ensuring that midwives and obstetricians are skilled in PPH management and prevention, and also ensuring the availability of essential medicines and surgical interventions.

    “There is also the Active Management of the Third Stage of Labor (AMTSL), which includes the use of Oxytocic, Prophylactic use of uterotonic drugs to prevent uterine atony, the proper technique to deliver the placenta and uterine massage.

    “The World Health Organisation (WHO) has however recommended the use of the E-MOTIVE bundle, which is a modification of the response to detection and management of women with PPH. E-MOTIVE stands for E- Early bleeding detection using a calibrated drape; Uterine massage; O- Use of medication (Oxytocic); T -Use of Tranexamic acid; IV- Intravenous fluids; E-Genital tracts examination and escalation when necessary. This new approach advocates that all components of the bundle are given in the shortest possible time without waiting for a response to individual interventions.”

    Chairman of the Lagos State Advocacy Group on Women’s Health, Ayo Adebusuyi, called for more funding of programmes to stem maternal death.

    According to him, the policies and programmes already exist, but inadequate funding is preventing them from being effective.

    He noted: “Our women’s health initiative focuses on women’s health generally, though post-partum bleeding tops the chart on causes of maternal deaths. The overriding goal is to reduce maternal death in Lagos State by 20 per cent, by the year 2030. We agreed on many specific smart objectives, one of which is to push for more funding because whatever we are talking about needs funding to be effective.

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    “There are many policy guidelines on maternal health, but funding is paramount to make them effective…”

    The Lagos State government however said it is working to domesticate the EMOTIVE bundle by Q3 of the year.

    Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health Dr. Olusegun Ogboye said: “We are set to domesticate the guidelines at the state level by the third quarter of the year. We have also reviewed and are updating our protocols with the obstetrics and gynaecology departments in all state-owned hospitals to include the EMOTIVE bundle in their treatment modules.

    “We are also working to bring stakeholders together to review it and adapt it for our own situation in Lagos state.”

  • FG urges stakeholders to adopt ‘holistic’ approach to sports dev’t

    FG urges stakeholders to adopt ‘holistic’ approach to sports dev’t

    The federal government has called on stakeholders in the sports industry to adopt a holistic and inclusive approach to develop sports in the country and harness benefits therefrom.

    Permanent secretary, federal ministry of sports development, Mrs. Tinuke Watti, made the call yesterday while welcoming delegates from the ministries of sports in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the ongoing 1st  National Council on Sports (NCS) holding in Enugu.

    Watti who stated that sports have significant potential for socio-economic growth, added that sports are not just games, but major industry with the capacity to generate employment, drive economic development, and improve public health.

    According to her, investments in sports infrastructure and programmes could help boost the nation’s economy.

    “Sports, when rightly positioned, will help to take the youth off crime as successful athletes serve as role models, inspiring younger generations to aspire to greatness and engage in productive activities.

    “To harness these benefits however, it is imperative that we adopt a holistic and inclusive approach to sports development. This includes fostering partnerships between the government, private sector, and international bodies.

    “It means ensuring that our policies are geared towards inclusivity, providing opportunities for all, regardless of gender, age, or socio-economic background.

    “It also involves leveraging technology and innovation to enhance training, performance, and fan engagement”, the permanent secretary said.

    Speaking on the theme: “Sports for National Unity and Socio-Economic Growth”, Watti said the meeting could not have been more timely given the challenges and opportunities of the current era.

    While urging the delegates to seize the opportunity to make meaningful strides in the nation’s sports development agenda, she noted that sports had long been a cornerstone of the nation’s cultural fabric.

    She said:  as according to her, “They (sports) transcend the barriers of language, ethnicity, and religion, uniting us under the common banner of competition, achievement, and collective pride.

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    “In every corner of our country, from the cities to the towns and villages, sports bring us together, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose”.

    The deputy governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, who was represented by the state commissioner for youths and sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu, stated that the next generation of Nigerian sports stars could be nurtured through strategic investment, community engagement, and robust policy frameworks.

    He urged the delegates to leverage their collective expertise to address the challenges facing the nation’s sports sector and explore innovative solutions that will propel the country to greater heights.

    “Key areas such as infrastructure development, athlete welfare, funding mechanism, coaching standards and grassroots sports programs require your utmost attention and concerted efforts.

    “We must ensure that our policies are inclusive, providing equal opportunities for all, regardless of gender, background, or ability. Let us strive to create an environment where every young person can dream, excel, and achieve greatness through sports,” he said.

  • Stakeholders canvass implementation of SDGs to reduce global poverty

    Stakeholders canvass implementation of SDGs to reduce global poverty

    Stakeholders in government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), drawn from various continents have called for urgent implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in order to reduce poverty and its negative impact across the globe.

    They lamented the high poverty level among populations in Africa and other developing nations.

    Making the call in a communiqué issued at the end of a programme, the Global Diplomacy Summit, tagged ‘Canada 2024’, held recently in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the participants reaffirmed belief in workability of development goals declared by the United Nations (UN) in eradicating poverty.

    The summit with the theme; “Harnessing the Gains of Global Diplomacy and Peaceful Coexistence: The Role of International Organizations”, was organized by Ambassador Jaygbes Napoleon Ogbole, the Country Director for the International Society of Diplomats (ISD) in Canada.

    Read Also: IFAD boss seeks socioeconomic investment to reduce global poverty

    Other issues addressed, as contained in the communiqué, were on climate change and the need to have a deliberate and intentional plan action that should be supported by world leaders, in order to achieve a lasting solution.

    In a copy of the communique signed by the organiser; Amb. Jaygbes, HE Ambassador Manuel Fernandez, Secretary General and Dr. Mykel Parish, Chairman Central Organising Committee, and made available to the media through their representatives in Warri, yesterday, the Summit reaffirmed commitment to “multilateralism, diplomacy, and international cooperation.

    Other resolutions reached during the three-day deliberation include International Peace and Diplomacy, Investment Opportunity and Economic Development, Action Plan on Climate Change, as well as global security challenges and how to ensure that would leaders embrace peaceful resolution of the conflicts within their nation and neighbouring countries,

    In attendance were delegates from Canada, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Ghana, Egypt, the United Arabs Emirate, United States of America. 

    The ISD Country Director for Nigeria and Head Mission, Prof Edet Ekpenyong, in his opening remarks noted that the summit was to serve as “a platform for discussion, collaboration and exchange of ideas on pressing global issues”.

    He added: “We, therefore, use this medium to appeal to world leaders to please step in and ensure that the once enjoyable peace in the Middle East is returned and maintained for the sake of the ordinary citizens of the violent conflict-affected countries.”

  • Stakeholders urge new insurance commissioner on performance

    Stakeholders urge new insurance commissioner on performance

    With the appointment of a new Board for the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) by President Bola Tinubu, experts have expressed mixed reactions on whether or not the sector will witness a significant growth.

    Among the Board, the experts have focused most especially on the appointment of the new Commissioner, Mr. Olusegun Omosehin.

    The development has elicited reactions from the industry.

    An expert, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he is skeptical about his choice by the President.

    He believes that Omosehin, who is the Managing Director of Old Mutual Life Insurance Limited, may not be able to prevail on his former colleagues to follow the rules and regulations of the regulatory authority.

    He opined that he may not also be able to handle the tough sector as some operators are averse to many policy changes.

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    He however said as a stakeholder, he will be an onlooker, noting that he will watch closely to see the outcome and impact of the new commissioner on the sector.

    But the former Executive Director of Leadway Assurance, Ms Adetola Adegbayi is optimistic that the new commissioner is right and ripe for the position.

    For her, Omosehin has the expertise and professional knowledge that can impact positively on the sector.

    Another stakeholder in the sector disagreed on the appointment of Omosehin as the new commissioner.

    He lamented that the sector needs fresh breath of air and the President should have appointed an insurance expert or actuary from outside the insurance sector.

    Before now, the insurance industry has been struggling to record major growth like other sectors in the financial services sector.

    Besides, the sector has been unable to deepen insurance penetration with many Nigerians having trust concerns while some are still unaware of the benefits of insurance.

    The immediate past Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Sunday Olorundare Thomas who became commissioner on April 30, 2020 could not secure a reappointment after the end of his first four-year tenure.

    Thomas became Commissioner when insurance penetration was below one per cent and contribution to the overall nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 2.80 per cent in Fourth Quarter 2020, lower than the 3.12 per cent it recorded in Q4 2019, but higher than the contribution of 2.46 per cent it made in Q3 2020.

    Also in 2020, the sector contributed 3.11 per cent of aggregate nominal GDP.

    Presently, only 1.5 million Nigerians out of 200 million population are insured.

    While the sector under his administration witnessed growth in gross premium income from about N514 billion in 2020 to N1 trillion in 2023, not much impact was made on insurance penetration indices as it remained below one per cent.

    Total assets of the sector also slightly moved from N2.1 trillion to N2.3 trillion in 2020.

  • Stakeholders advocate protection of vulnerable adolescent, youths’ sexual reproduction

    Stakeholders advocate protection of vulnerable adolescent, youths’ sexual reproduction

    Stakeholders on Monday urged government at all levels to make policies and enforce laws that would protect vulnerable Adolescent and Young People (AYPs) on their sexual and reproductive health and right.

    They said the step become necessary to safeguard sexual and reproductive health and right of adolescent and young people.

    Speaking in Ibadan at a stakeholders round table meeting with the theme: “Building movements to sustain sexual and reproductive health and rights”, a programme officer with HACEY Health Initiative, Tomilola Akinpelu, stated that Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues posed significant challenge for vulnerable adolescents and young people (AYPs) in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Akinpelu said two-thirds of illnesses among women of reproductive age in the region are attributed to SRH problems, adding that a staggering 4.3 billion people lack essential SRH services, with over 200 million women in developing countries lacking access to modern contraception.

    She said: “Vulnerable AYPs in our project communities due to the lack of access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) information and resources are predisposed to challenges such as unintended pregnancies, inadequate antenatal care, unsafe abortions, sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and

    cervical cancer. 

    “Emerging civil society organizations (CSOs) addressing these needs also often lack the necessary tools and skills to pass the information and resource on SRHR to the target audience effectively.

    “Early pregnancies among adolescents, high prevalence of HIV infections, and vulnerability to other SRH issues underscore the urgent need for intervention. Limited access to SRH information in Nigeria puts AYPs at risk,exposing them to various SRH challenges that threaten their well-being. 

    “The SRHR Impact Plus Project aims to make a meaningful impact by addressing these critical challenges faced by vulnerable adolescents and young people (AYPs) in Nigeria.

    “Building on our efforts with Adolescents and young people, the Youth Amplify SRHR project reached over 25,000 young people. Project Tombey, utilizing mobile and web platforms, successfully reached over 5,000 individuals, raising awareness and enhancing access to sexual and reproductive health resources and services.

    “The SRHR Impact Plus Project aims to empower youth-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with essential tools and skills and amplify the efforts of SRHR Champions’ SRHR interventions.”

    She said the aim of the gathering was to empower CSOs and community based organisation with knowledge, skills and practical strategies to enhance their SRHR interventions for AYPs, integrating digital tools for increased impact and sustainability at the grassroots level.

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    “This is a stakeholders round table meeting, we brings together those who we hope to collaborate and partner with us on this project, it is an SRHR project and we aim to empower 80% adolescent and young person in five states across Nigeria.

    “At the end of this project, we believe youths will have right based and inclusive information, the issue is that most of the youths has limited access to SRHR information, resources and services, so we hope they will have increase access to right-based and inclusive information on sexual reproductive health and right at the end of this project.

    “We brought some of the stakeholders together here because in the course of the project, we are still going to have a media lab for CSOs, so that they can move it from one place to the other and create media content to push information for adolescent and young people.”

  • Stakeholders raise the alarm over dangers of GMOs crops

    Stakeholders raise the alarm over dangers of GMOs crops

    The Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR) has raised the alarm over the proliferation of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) crops across Nigeria.

    The CEFSAR said the country lacked the necessary laboratory infrastructure to test and verify the safety of the GMOs products particularly in the food industry.

    The Centre noted that the gap in the regulatory framework meant that there was no system in place for labelling GMOs, which had deprived consumers of the right to make informed choices about their food.

    The Executive Director of CEFSAR, Prof Qristtuberg Amua warned of the potential dangers these crops posed to biodiversity, food safety, and the health of citizens. 

    Amua, who spoke at a high level dialogue on food security in Abuja, said GMOs are engineered to resist high levels of pesticides, which could lead to the gradual disappearance of indigenous crops and a dependency on chemical-intensive farming methods.

    He noted that this shift could result in increased pesticide runoff into water sources and soil while posing a significant risk to human health and the environment.

    Amua added that some reports suggested a correlation between the consumption of GMOs and an increase in health issues such as cancer and organ failure, particularly among the youth.

    Although the long-term effects of GMOs on the human body are still being studied, some preliminary findings have sparked a nationwide conversation about the safety of these modified crops.

    The Director of Operations, CEFSAR, Segun Adebayo said that the patented nature of GMO seeds meant that farmers couldn’t replant harvested seeds without purchasing new ones each season, which according to him will lead to a loss of traditional agricultural knowledge and practices.

    Read Also: Niger Delta stakeholders blast detractors linking Ogbuku to political ambition

    Adebayo emphasised that such dependency on seed companies could have far-reaching implications for food sovereignty and security in Nigeria.

    He said: “You are what you eat, you have to be concerned about what you eat. The first step to being healthy is your food.”

    Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, Nnimmo Bassey urged Nigerians to stick to agro-ecological methods of food production. 

  • ‘We adopted Tinubu’s stakeholders’ approach’

    ‘We adopted Tinubu’s stakeholders’ approach’

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission adopted the stakeholders’ engagement approach to develop the region in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administrative style.

    He said the commission would remain steadfast in executing its mandate of fast-tracking development for the benefit of ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta.

    Ogbuku spoke when he hosted a delegation from the Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality, led by Chief Ayiri Emami, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    The NDDC boss  said President Tinubu’s administration was putting emphasis on stakeholders’ engagement, and that the commission had adopted that approach.

    He said the commission would soon organise a stakeholder’s summit to give  groups in the region the opportunity to be part of the development process.

    Ogbuku said besides NDDC’s engagement with stakeholders, the commission also visited the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, to get his buy-in on the completion of the Omadino-Escravos Road, in Warri North Local Government of Delta State.

     Ogbuku in a statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, noted that the project, when completed, would link Warri to Escravos, the hub of oil and gas activities in Warri Kingdom.

    He stressed the importance of Warri in the economy of Delta and the country, saying NDDC also met Chevron officials to discuss collaboration on the Omadino-Escravos. 

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    He said: “We are working out the details of the partnership with them because we are committed to seeing to the completion of the project.”

    He said the commission was open to  ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta in line with its mandate to serve the people and ensure sustainable development of communities in the region.

    Ogbuku said: “We all face the same challenges. Therefore, we must work together to address our challenges, regardless of our ethnicity. These challenges, like underdevelopment and ecological problems, bring us all together.”

    The Secretary, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, Sir. Sunny Mene, described Ogbuku as “a detribilised Niger Deltan with conscientious tendencies, clear vision for the region, and a committed mission to turn our communities around in a way never before seen in the history of the commission”.

  • Stakeholders suggest ways to enhance domestic gas penetration

    Stakeholders suggest ways to enhance domestic gas penetration

    Stakeholders in the domestic gas market have advocated for a change in the pricing templates for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LPG) to make the product affordable and accessible to homes in Nigeria.

    The call was made at the Avalon Policy Dialogue on Gas in Lagos where speakers queried the rationale for pricing locally sourced cooking gas to Nigerians in dollars.

    One of the speakers, Mr. Tosin Thompson, the Chief Executive Officer of Mezovest Limited, noted “there is no reason why gas that is sourced locally, for local demand, should be priced in dollars.” 

    Thompson, who spoke extensively on how efficiencies in the gas sector can lead to wealth and job creation, also added that increased participation of small businesses in the gas distribution network could lead to cost efficiencies. 

    “When more small businesses come into the ecosystem to participate in the distribution of gas, you’re creating efficiencies, reducing and eliminating arbitrage. And we will see prices come down,” Thompson said.

    He further stressed the need for the government to focus on regulation and tax collection while allowing the private sector to drive efficiencies.

     Mr Folarin Lajumoke, Executive Director at DAMAS, stated:”There is the need for comprehensive policies that promote local gas usage, which could contribute significantly to economic growth and energy sustainability. 

    “Over 75% of Nigeria’s Total Energy Supply (TES) is made up of biomass, primarily firewood and charcoal. This is inefficient and detrimental to the health of the people. Replacing this with LPG will not only boost the economy, but is also environmentally friendly. 

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    “However, this needs ot be affordable. Affordability will come about once the market becomes efficient. We have the demand and we have the available resource, what is lacking is the infrastructure”, Lajumoke said.

    He pointed out that the lack of infrastructure in the gas sector was a prominent concern, saying “we need to build pipelines that connect processing plants to markets across the country as that is what will make investments in this sector attractive. With adequate infrastructure, investors in the sector could look to supply neighbouring countries with gas”.

    Lajumoke further admitted that the opportunities in Nigeria are vast, due to high demand, and capitalizing on this demand could drive economic development and energy security.

    He, however, decried the level of investment in the sector, stating that the government needs to make the country investment-friendly, arguing that “once investors can see a route to market, investment will follow.”

  • Stakeholders make case for infrastructure development

    Stakeholders make case for infrastructure development

    Director General Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Lamido Yuguda has said that infrastructure development is essential for economic growth and social progress of any nation.

    The SEC DG disclosed this while delivering a goodwill message at this year’s international rating webinar, Themed: ‘Role of Sub-Nationals and Credit Rating Agencies’ on Thursday, at the DataPro annual international rating webinar.

    At the event, DataPro, a compliance solutions and technology-driven rating agency in Nigeria got commendations from Yuguda and the CEO, Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company Plc,  Mr. Kehinde O. Ogundimu.

    Yuguda commended DataPro for its commitment to organizing another webinar aimed at developing Nigeria’s debt capital market.

    According to him, the forum provides a platform for the timely exchange of ideas and knowledge capable of leading to the development of a roadmap for sustainable infrastructure financing at the subnational levels.

    Yuguda disclosed that infrastructure development is essential for the economic growth and social progress of any nation as It provides the foundation for businesses to operate and for people to access essential services, such as education, healthcare, water, and transportation.

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    He said credit rating agencies play an important role in infrastructural development by providing independent assessments of the creditworthiness of subnational governments and other borrowers. “This information is utilized by investors to make informed investment decisions on optimal capital allocation.”

    He stated further that the synergy between the subnational governments and credit rating agencies would potentially play a major role in promoting sustainable infrastructural developments, create a favourable investment climate and advance the country’s quest for rapid transformation.”

    He assured that discussions at the webinar would lead to new ideas on how to accelerate infrastructure development in Nigeria, especially at the sub-national levels. “It is my expectation that the impressive line-up of panelists, seasoned operators, issuers, and other discussants assembled here will do justice to the different issues for discourse at this webinar.”

    Ogundimu, speaking during the webinar while commending DataPro for its impeccable credibility, professionalism, and forthrightness, urged stakeholders looking for any vital information about any entity in Nigeria, to talk to DataPro.

    He observed that this year’s webinar happened at a “very important time, just a few months back, the rating of the World’s largest economy was downgraded by Fitch for several reasons including the “erosion of governance”, underscoring the importance of sound governance and risk management practices for any country or company.”

    He disclosed that the development of infrastructure in cities and regions across the world was critical to economic growth and social well-being.

    Consequently, he said, “Securing the funding needed to support infrastructure development is a major issue for governments and policymakers around the world.

    “The world spends more than $2.5 trillion a year on infrastructure, an amount significantly lower than $3.7 trillion a year that will be needed through 2035 just to keep pace with projected GDP growth.

    “Successful infrastructure delivery demands close alignment and collaboration between a wide range of participants, each with its own agenda and interest. This means that no single player acting alone can effect real change in infrastructure development.”

    He stated further that mobilizing private funding for infrastructure projects was crucial to bridge the infrastructure gap across the globe.

    “Consequently, we need improved transparency in the infrastructure project generation process, higher certainty concerning the framework conditions for project execution, and reduced risk for the operation phase. A long-term infrastructure pipeline and better, broader, and more independent cost-benefit analysis are the major levers to pull to accomplish this goal. Accordingly, experts have recommended the following:

    “Alignment of infrastructure funding and capital market development through long-term bond market development, superannuation, and pension fund preferences, and

    “Enhancing investment attractiveness through higher asset utilization: For this, price signals should guide supply and demand for infrastructure; full cost recovery should improve the attractiveness of private investment; and new technologies can enhance asset utilization,” Ogundimu said.

    DataPro is a Compliance Solutions and Technology-driven Rating Agency in Nigeria. Since its inception in 1995, DataPro has provided solutions to end-users in their pursuit of mitigating both business and compliance risks. We offer services as a Rating Agency, Compliance Training and Solutions provider, and also as a licensed Data Protection Compliance Organization (DPCO) by NITDA. Our services include Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD), Background Checks, Customer Address Verification, PEP List, and API Services. DataPro is committed to assisting individuals, and businesses to reduce credit risks, comply with regulations, authenticate and verify potential trading partners, find profitable customers, and manage market demands more profitably.”