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Firm To Invest N1bn On Pre-paid Meters Production In Five Years

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Techno Gas and Power is
to spend one billion naira in the next five years to manufacture pre-paid meters in partnership with a Bulgarian metering solutions firm, known as Incotex.
The Managing Director of Techno Gas and Power, Mr Collins Onyeama, told newsmen in Lagos on Sunday that the investment would enable the Nigerian firm to produce up to 350,000 pre-paid meters yearly to meet the needs of millions of electricity consumers.
He said that the partnership with Incotex would result eventually to the setting up of a plant in Lagos to manufacture the meters locally to provide jobs for the teeming populace.
Onyeama estimated that about N150 billion was needed yearly to provide up to 6.5 million pre-paid meters every year for the next five years to meet the demands of Nigerian households needing pre-paid meters.
The chief executive officer said that Techno Gas and Power had trained up to 50 people to handle the installing of the company’s meters, assuring that the number would be increased to 100 by year end.
He said that the involvement of the Bulgarian firm had also made it possible to ensure that consumers used their meters within 48 days of purchase.
According to him, the 48 days is in line with the Credit Advance Payment for Meter Installation requirement.
“The partnership became necessary to urgently address the vacuum created by the inability of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria to provide meters where they are needed.
“We are all  aware of the discomfort suffered by millions of electricity  consumers nationwide who are unable to get electricity  meters due to no fault of theirs.’’
Onyeama said that Techno Gas and Power decided to tackle the problem squarely, entering into partnership with the European firm, to make meters available to teeming Nigerians hungry for meters.
He lamented the difficulties many electricity consumers often went through in their bid to acquire meters, regretting that “many have had to contend with the painful option of enduring estimated billing.
“I can now assure Nigerians that the era of ‘no meter’ or ‘estimated billing’ will soon be over with the decision of Techno Gas and Power to embark on  mass production of meters in partnership with Incotex,’’  he stated.
The managing director disclosed that his firm and Incotex had also held exploratory talks with Electricity Distribution Companies in Enugu, Ibadan and Ikeja, Lagos to ensure smooth business relationships.
Onyeama said that Techno Gas and Power had similarly reached an understanding with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to find ways to tackle challenges in the power sector.
A representative of Incotex, Mr Steve Muckett, said that the partnership with his company would bring a robust era in the Nigerian power sector, saying that Incotex could produce more than two million pre-paid meters annually
He explained that the meters were produced in accordance with European quality standards, noting that the meters would meet various segments of the Nigerian market.

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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