Effects of Subsidy Removal: FG commissions 5.2 mmscfd CNG plant in Lagos - ITREALMS

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To lessen the impact of subsidy removal on petrol, the Federal Government has commissioned a 5.2 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plant in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas) Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, who commissioned the plant at the Isolo Industrial Area, Ilasamaja in Lagos, on Thursday, said the occasion, under the theme “From Gas to Prosperity: CNG for All”, represents a critical turning point in the development of affordable, sustainable, and secure energy sources in the country.

COVID-19: Atiku’s prescriptions to mitigate effects on Nigeria - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has given some prescriptions on how to mitigate effects of Chinese Virus-19 also known as Coronavirus or COVID-19, reports ITREALMS.

He predicted that if Nigeria does not get her acts right by the end of this pandemic, it may not even be giant of West Africa, let alone Africa.

“History will forgive us if we make the wrong decisions, but it certainly will not forgive us if we take no decisions in the misguided belief that others will save us. If Nigeria does not save herself in this season of a global emergency, we may find that a new world order will emerge and we will no longer be the Giant of Africa. We may not even be the Giant of West Africa if we do not take decisive action.

For him, Nigeria, for instance, cannot be considered a serious nation when her leaders refused to cut down on profligacy and instead seek outside help to fund inefficiencies.

We cannot be considered a serious country when we refuse to cut down on profligacy and instead seek outside help to fund our inefficiencies.

“Even in our own individual houses, when things get tight, the first thing we should do is cut down on unnecessary expenditure and then you look for creative ways to generate funds and develop our household economy, before we even seek outside funding,” he said.

As said by him, a situation where the Nigerian government always seeks outside funding, which, by the way has to be repaid if ever granted, displays an inadequacy in the thinking process of leadership at the moment. Stressing other than asking for debt relief, there are realistically steps to be taken to protect citizens from the type of economic collapse that could lead to social upheaval in Nigeria.

He prescribed that Nigeria could start from where the country has the most influence, the global oil industry.

“To save our economy, Nigeria must engage in immediate shuttle diplomacy to get Saudi Arabia and Russia to settle their differences and end the price war that is affecting the price of oil almost as much as the pandemic. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cartel is more vulnerable than Russia right now.

“Yes, Russia is also vulnerable, but so are we. Russia has an almost stable gas market in Europe. We do not. So we are much more vulnerable. This price war is not just affecting Nigeria and Angola badly; it is also affecting the valuation of ARAMCO and delaying vital decisions, which are troubling signs.

“Nigeria must bring her weight (like she had done in the past) to bear to force an early cessation of hostilities so that oil prices could start looking up,” he said.

Also, Atiku advised the Federal Government to insist that the Abacha loots held back by various Western governments must be immediately and unconditionally returned to Nigeria.

“We have a humanitarian crisis on our hands. I believe that President Trump is a reasonable man,” he submitted.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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NCC, CPC investigate effects of call masking - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS: 

The Nigerian Communications Commission and the Consumer Protection Council have resolved to investigate the effects of call masking in Nigeria on the directive of the National Assembly for the consumers, reports ITREALMS.

This saw to the review of the existing Memorandum of Understanding between the two government organizations and discuss how to work together to improve complaints resolution of telecommunications consumers.

Speaking at the meeting, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, said masking of calls with another number, especially international calls is a matter that has been trending and the NCC has been directed to address it as it has security implications.

Professor Danbatta said “The office of the National Security Adviser had directed the NCC to put in place, measures that will contain this menace even before the directive from the National Assembly to the NCC and the CPC.

“We have resolved to set up a joint committee to investigate call masking and filing and conclude within a month, and I am very happy with the outcome of the meeting.

“What has happened today is a testimony to an important item on NCC’s 8-point agenda which is strategic collaborations and partnerships with other agencies of government”

Babatunde Irukera, Director General, Consumer Protection Council said the meeting provided an opportunity to discuss consumer protection with respect to the telecommunications industry.

Irukera said: “it was a very productive meeting and few key things we agreed on is that the CPC needs a good number of guidelines, directions, regulations and initiatives of the Consumer Affairs Bureau of the NCC, with respect to addressing consumer issues.

“We are looking to concluding an existing negotiation on an MOU that will define how our relationship goes going forward, and we will open a mutual investigation into quality of consumer experiences in the telecommunications industry, to address a lot of consumer issues.”

The Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Sunday Dare, stated that NCC’s journey with the CPC started many years back with previous MOU’s. 

“We been trying to review the MOU for some months and we’ve come to the final part of it, and what has happened today is to make sure we create the kind of synergy that we need to go forward to protect the consumers”, he said.

Sunday Dare reiterated that the NCC under the leadership of Professor UG Danbatta prioritizes protecting, informing and educating the 154 million telecoms subscribers in Nigeria through various ways, including the interagency collaboration with other organizations like CPC that have a mandate to protect consumers across the country.

Tackling social media effects, challenges top agenda @NIICF’17

ITRealms:

The Nigeria ICT Impact CEO Forum (NIICF) & Africa Digital Awards (ADA) would this year have a session on how to tackle the effects of social and the challenges of cyber security, reports ITRealms.

According to the coordinator of the dual event, Mr. Tayo Adewusi, the forum and awards have proven to be a must attend for top C-level management staff and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs).

“It is imperative for the federal government, regulators, and industry stakeholders to discuss and map out creative ways to make broadband penetration accessible, available and affordable in all nooks and crannies of this country, if we must tackle the menace of cybercrime,” he said.

Adewusi said that with the theme “Broadband Access: The Challenges of Cyber Security Threat & Effect of Social Media Era” was chosen to bring together Information and Communication Technology (ICT) leaders driving the Nigeria growth.

Scheduled to hold on August 25, 2017 at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos, he said, the event would be chaired by Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu with supporting two keynotes speeches from the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta and the Chief Executive Officer of MTN, Mr. Ferdi Moolman. 

Other leading papers expected would comprise that of the Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Patami; Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Is’haq Kawu; Managing Director, Galaxy Backbone, Mr. Yusuf Kazaure.

In addition, Adewusi said there would be presentations from the Managing Director, MainOne, Ms. Funke Opeke, her counterpart at Nigcomsat, Ms. Abimbola Alale, President, Nigeria Internet Registration Asociation (NIRA), Rev. Sunday Folayan and Partner Muiz Banire & Associates, Mr.  Kunle Adegoke. 

He pointed out that the forum offers exclusive sessions around the latest developments and trends in Nigeria’s ICT landscape and corporate environment, especially around broadband, Internet security, IoT and social media.

“The forum is envisioned as the foremost impactful meeting of top C-level executives in the industry,” he said.

Also, he said, the Africa Digital Awards (ADA) would take place simultaneously with the forum, noting that this year’s event will be breath taking as they have already began the shortlisting of the nominees.

“The key criteria for this year’s over 50 nominations include value of the service or technology in solving recognised technology problems, meeting network requirements, optimising service and performance & enhancing customer service, overall quality of innovation and contribution to ICT advancement, originality & vision, potential industry growth and service, market success/acceptance and contribution to end – user’s quality of experience and service efficiency,” he said.

Adewusi explained that ADA has been designed to annually honour distinguished individuals and corporate for having distinguished themselves in the contribution to the development of the industry.

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