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…As Onitsha Chamber Hails NPA’s 10% Discount On Vessels

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The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA), yesterday lauded the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for approving 10 per cent discount on vessels calling at the Eastern ports.
The First Deputy President of ONICCIMA, Mr Chris Ukachukwu, gave the commendation in an interview with The Tide source in Onitsha.
Ukachukwu said that the action would decongest the Lagos ports.
Reports says that the management of the NPA had yesterday approved a 10 per cent discount on harbour dues in the concessioned terminals of Calabar, Rivers and Delta Ports.
Ukachukwu said that once implemented, it would help decentralise activities at the Lagos ports and at the same time, create significant economic activity in the various locations of the Eastern ports.
“It will stimulate economic activities at the Eastern ports of the country and will also stem the urban drift. As it is now, it appears as if for you to do anything, you must go to Lagos. The implication is that Lagos becomes overpopulated, while other parts of the country will see the drift which was not the original plan of the country.”
“The idea was that the various economic hubs in the country within the six regions must develop simultaneously, so that wherever you are, you have that sense of belonging,” he said.
According to the ONICCIMA boss, the new policy will reduce the cost of transportation as well as reduce inflation.
“Most times, to transport goods from Lagos ports to the Eastern part of the country cost as much as N600, 000 or more.
“Importers will have no option than to add the cost of transportation to the prices of goods which permeates down, such that prices of goods keep skyrocketing.
“However, once importers know that it will cost less than one third of the previous amount to get the containers to any part of the Eastern region, it will positively affect prices of goods,” he pointed out.
Ukachukwu also called for legislation by the National Assembly to regulate the activities of customs and Police personnel, especially on the highways.
He said that in spite of several announcements that the Federal Government had withdrawn customs and Police officers from the roads, they return within one week or two.
“When you travel from Lagos to the East for instance, you will encounter lots of check points mounted by the Police and Customs which are often targeted at importers.
“For them to stay on the roads mean multiple taxes and creating difficulty for businessmen.
“But, if there is a legislation that will further regulate the activities of these law enforcement agencies, it will create the desired impact needed in the country.
“Officers can easily incur the wrath of the law if they flout the law,” he stressed.
Ukachukwu noted that the initiative was a win-win situation for all Nigerians as the demurrage usually incurred and time wasted at the Lagos ports would reduce.
He advised the NPA to create awareness on the new directive to enable Nigerians to begin to divert their goods to the Eastern ports.

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MoneyPoint Empowers Pharmacists With Payment Solutions 

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MoniePoint Inc. a digital financial firm in Nigeria, has said it is empowering community pharmacists across the country with innovative payment solutions to improve access to drugs.
The financial firm said it had also provided loans for pharmacists under the aegis of the Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) to drive healthcare delivery in the country.
MoniePoint in a release titled, “Inside Nigeria’s community pharmacies: How Moniepoint drives healthcare access with payments and funding”, has reaffirmed its commitment to providing digital payment solutions to improve health outcomes in Nigeria.
The release examined how community pharmacies play a crucial role as vital access points for medical care in Nigeria, especially in areas with limited hospital or clinic access.
According to the release, the ACPN National Chairman, Ambrose Igwekwam, highlighted the critical role played by community pharmacies in Nigeria’s healthcare system over the years.
Igwekwam, however, expressed concerns over the challenges confronting the nation’s pharmaceutical industry which he said was hindering access to affordable medicines.
The pharmacist listed poor infrastructural systems, power, transportation, regulatory bottlenecks, importation dependency, and limited research opportunities as major challenges facing the pharmaceutical sector.
He also stressed the need for robust collaborative efforts with institutions like Moniepoint to strengthen the sector.
“As Nigeria continues to grow, improving local pharma manufacturing to meet the demands of this growth presents a key opportunity for us all.
“There is also the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, which is expected to boost our industry, especially when we start producing our drugs locally, which will provide the much needed foreign exchange from exports.
“We are also seeing advancements in digital health and technology which would hopefully deepen the practice of e-prescription in Nigeria”, the ACPN boss said.

Corlins Walter

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Embrace AI, CIIN Urges Insurance Operators 

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In order to enhance customer service and streamline operations, the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN) has called on stakeholders in the insurance industry to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The President of the institute, Yetunde Ilori, made this call at the 2024 Office Representatives Committee (ORC) Workshop, organised by the institute, with the theme “AI and the Future of the Insurance Industry”, in Lagos.
Ilori at the event, emphasised the importance of AI adoption, noting that it was not a threat to jobs but rather a tool to improve efficiency across the insurance sector.
“It is not about AI taking over our jobs, but about us using AI to simplify processes and give maximum satisfaction to all the customers we serve whether as underwriters, brokers, loss adjusters, or in educating our members”, she said.
The workshop, which brought players in the insurance sector together, aimed to address how AI could be leveraged to transform business processes and improve customer interactions.
The Chairman of the ORC, Monica Nwachukwu, underscored the role of AI in modernising the industry, adding, “AI can automate customer and claims processes, allowing insurers to provide faster and more efficient services to their customers”.
She explained how AI could help extract data from legacy systems, enhancing decision-making processes.
“By integrating AI with APIs, insurers can feed valuable data into AI solutions to improve operations and customer service”, she added.
In his address, the Managing Partner of A4S and Training Heights, Orlando Odejide, stressed the need for companies to align their strategies with future technologies like AI, especially as they prepare for 2025.
“Any organisation that wants to grow into the future must have its strategic plan in place. If your strategy for 2025 is not ready, it should be done by October”, he advised.
He encouraged participants to think critically about how AI could be integrated into their business models to ensure they remain competitive.
“The idea is for you to use this workshop as a platform to think about your organization and how AI can help streamline your processes and improve growth”, Odejide noted.

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NASRDA Reassures On Strengthening Nigeria’s Space Capability 

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In order to gain global respect and recognition, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has reaffirmed its determination to pursue its goal in ensuring that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
The agency also reaffirmed its commitment to positioning Nigeria as a key player in the global space economy.
In a statement by the Director of Media and Corporate Communications, Dr. Felix Ale, NASRDA revealed that the Director-General of the agency, Matthew Adepoju, emphasised this during recent engagements at the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Global Alliance Business Association international conference in Michigan, United States.
The statement noted that Adepoju outlined a forward-thinking agenda, stressing the importance of Nigeria’s space programme as a leader in research, exploration, and technological innovation.
“Our goal is to ensure that Nigeria’s space capabilities are recognised on the world stage.
“We must foster collaborations with global space agencies to enhance our satellite capabilities and technological infrastructure”, he stated.
The NASRDA boss said the agency is focusing on enhancing satellite capabilities, expanding international collaborations, and leveraging space science for national development.
He said NASRDA will have no stone unturned in pursuit of excellence, ensuring the agency secures the necessary resources and recognition to propel it forward.
“The relationships we build today will pave the way for tomorrow’s advancements in space science.
“Innovation and progress thrive in an environment built on collaboration and inclusivity”, he stated.
He emphasised that with the support of the government, international partners, and a dedicated team, NASRDA is poised to make significant strides in the evolving global space landscape.
“We are on the brink of a new era for Nigeria’s space agency. Together, we will ensure our nation stands out in the global space economy”, he said.

Corlins Walter

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