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FG TASKS NEW ACGs, OTHERS, ON IMAGE, SECURITY OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICE

FG TASKS NEW ACGs, OTHERS, ON IMAGE, SECURITY OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICE

The Federal Government has again reiterated the need for the newly promoted Assistant Controllers General of Corrections and other officers promoted to contribute their quota towards the improvement of the image of the Service and to ensure the Security of all custodial facilities across the country.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola gave the charge today while decorating the promoted senior officers in Abuja.

Aregbesola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, noted that the tasks ahead of the officers are enormous in view of the security challenges and the recent attacks on some Custodial facilities.

“We need to improve on what we are doing by ensuring adequate training and equipping of officers with the needed tools to carry out their duties efficiently,” he said.


He said that the Ministry would continue to support the Nigeria Custodial Service and other Agencies under the Ministry to deliver better on their mandates for the benefits of Nigerians.

While congratulating the officers, the Minister reiterated the need for the Service to use maximum force to prevent and repel future attacks on custodial facilities.
In his Remarks, the Controller General, Nigeria Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa said, officers should see their promotions as calls for dedication, loyalty and more responsibilities.

“All Correctional Centres must be kept safe,” he stressed.
Four (4) officers were promoted from the rank of Controller of Corrections to the rank of Assistant Controller General of Corrections, while Nineteen (19) others got promoted into various senior officers’ ranks.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, one of the newly decorated officers, ACG Segun Oluwasemire expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for finding them worthy for the promotions.

He pledged the commitment of himself and other promoted officers to put in their best to lift the service to an enviable level.

Towoju, Raphael B.

Ex-Bank PHB MD, Atuche Jailed Six Years For N25.7bn Fraud

Ex-Bank PHB MD, Atuche Jailed Six Years For N25.7bn Fraud

After 12 years of trial that witnessed many twists and turns, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, June 16, 2020, finally secured the conviction and sentencing of Francis Atuche, a former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB Plc ( now Keystone Bank), to six years imprisonment for N25.7bn fraud before Justice Lateefat Okunnu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.

Justice Okunnu in a judgment that lasted over ten hours, also sentenced the defunct bank’s former Chief Financial Officer, CFO, Ugo Anyanwu, to four years imprisonment. The duo were convicted on 6 of the amended 27-count charge of conspiracy to commit a felony and stealing preferred against them by the EFCC.

The Judge however discharged and acquitted Atuche’s wife, Elizabeth on the grounds that the Commission failed to link her to the crime as suspicion could not take the place of fact. The judge held that the prosecution could not prove that she was aware of the source of the funds she received from her husband.

The EFCC had, in 2011, arraigned Atuche, his wife and Anyanwu, for conspiracy and stealing to the tune of N25. 7bn. They pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them, thereby leading to their full trial.

About three years into their trial, Atuche and his co-defendants approached the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, challenging their trial by the lower court for lack of jurisdiction.

The Appellate Court, in a judgment delivered in September 2016, had stopped the lower court from going ahead with the trial.

Though the Appeal Court refused the defendants’ prayer to squash the charges against them, it ordered Justice Okunnu to hands-off the trial and further directed the Chief Judge of Lagos State to re-assign the case to another judge.

Dissatisfied by the ruling, the EFCC approached the Supreme Court to set aside the decision of the appellate court and order continuation of trial in the matter.

During the hearing at the apex court, counsel to the defendants, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, stated that the case had gone far at the lower court, adding that the appellate court’s decision had prolonged the speedy conclusion of the trial.

In a unanimous decision, a panel of the apex court, overturned the decision of the appellate court. Justice Ejembi Eko, who prepared and read the lead judgment of the apex court, held that the September 23, 2016 order of the Court of Appeal directing the Chief Judge of Lagos State to re-assign the case to another judge ran out of sync with justice.

The apex court panel further held that the appellate court failed to give any reasons for disqualifying the trial judge, Okunnu.

The Supreme Court, therefore, directed that the case be returned to Justice Okunnu for continuation of trial of the defendants.

Delivering her judgment today, the judge held that the EFCC has successfully proved its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.

She upheld the arguments of Pinheiro, who prosecuted the case with the fiat of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Pinheiro had opposed Atuche’s contention that the stolen funds in dispute were loaned and not stolen.

The Judge held that “The 1st Defendant confirmed the bank’s ownership of the money when he said the bank in lending money makes profit

“I am persuaded by the statement of Pat Utomi that ‘The bank still has control over money that’s left in its coffers, no matter who uses it.

“Helen Eriyo, who is the account officer of Petosan, being unaware of the loans granted, lends credit to the testimony of Mr. Ololo that he was not aware of the loan.

“The 1st and 3rd defendants did not debunk the evidence of the prosecution that the loans were used to purchase shares. They rather contended that the monies granted as loan could be used for whatever purposes.”

Consequently, the judge held that Atuche and Anyanwu abused their powers, and positions to confer undue financial benefits on themselves without regard to the health of the bank. ”The convicts stole from the bank and depositors and because of their action, taxpayers money was used to bail out the bank,” the judge noted.

She added that, though she acknowledges the pleas of the defendants, there must be consequence for bad behaviour. She therefore convicted and sentenced the the first defendant, Atuche to six years imprisonment and third defendant, Anywanwu to four years imprisonment. They are to serve their jail terms consecutively.

SOURCE

HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: NITDA TRAINS NMA MEMBERS ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

HEALTHCARE DELIVERY: NITDA TRAINS NMA MEMBERS ON DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) believes that the integration of Information Technology into health care sector would accelerate the attainment of all the sustainable Development Goals, (SDG) particularly SDG Goal 3.


This belief was expressed at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi State during a two day workshop on Healthcare and ICT with the theme “Healthcare Transformation and Digital Technology” organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Medical Association, (NMA) Bauchi State chapter.

Making the remarks on behalf of the Agency’s Director General, Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE the Head, Digital Ecosystem Unit, Digital Economy Department, Dr Amina Sambo Magaji stated that the United Nations World Summit on the Information Society provides guideline on the integration of ICT into healthcare delivery.

She added that resolution of the United Nation General Assembly calls for “a close alignment between WSIS process and the 2020 agenda for sustainable development which requests all stakeholders to integrate ICT into their approaches to implementing the goals.


She said, “Under this alignment, the following action lines are linked to the SDG Goal 3 and they include; role of stakeholders in promotion of ICT4SDG through cooperation and partnership, focusing on access to information and knowledge, addressing digital literacy and lifelong learning and application of ICT in several areas amongst which are e-Health or Digital Health.”

While emphasizing the functions of NITDA in this regard, she maintained that the Agency will continue to develop and regulate IT for sustainable national development by supporting the implementation of the National Health ICT Strategic Framework.
Dr Sambo further stated that going by the Framework, ICT would enable and help in delivering Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria, adding that the National Strategy was developed using the WHO-ITU toolkit that is capable of creating enabling environment for digital health in Nigeria.

She averred that as the nation makes efforts to operate in the Digital Economy, NITDA designated a department called Digital Economy which would contribute to the attainment of Universal Healthcare Coverage in Nigeria.

She assured that NITDA would continue its commitment to harness the potential of technology to find effective and innovative ways to put this potential of leveraging on ICT to develop health care service for all Nigerians.

Earlier, the Acting Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr Haruna Liman noted that the opportunity the Agency availed the doctors in the state would help to advance the partnership between the health sector and NITDA, being the vanguard of the digital economy in Nigeria. “Indeed, health practices generally is being increasingly digitalized for efficiency and effective treatment of patients,” he affirmed.

He stated that the digitalization and computer applications in the health sector is impacting positively on the three core mandates that affect teaching hospitals, these he said include, training, research and health care delivery to the extent that one who is not computer literate in this time would find it difficult to practice as health care specialist regardless of his area of specialization.

While acknowledging that the digital applications have help in many areas of the health sector, Dr Liman informed that only digital revolution can facilitate the kind of development being witnessed today in health care delivery. “Definitely, the benefits that we stand to gain from the application of digitalization of health sector cannot be enumerated.
He commended NITDA for finding it worthy to organise the workshop and also interact with the hospital with a view of “accessing the gap that we have and make appropriate recommendations on how we can improve on our digitalization processes.”

The CMD expressed optimism that with NITDA partnering with the hospital, the effort to digitize the hospital record through Electronic Health Record system would soon become fruitful. “Our hospital has made efforts to digitize the medical health record. We have interacted with some resource persons but it is still evolving, we have not yet finalized it but I believe with the facilities we have, NITDA can guide us to achieve this.

He equally appealed to the Agency to ensure that the engagement does not end with the workshop. He said, “I want you to forge continued partnership with us because we are still evolving like a toddler who needs guidance from his parents.”

The Vice Chairman of the Association, Dr Abdulrasheed Yakubu Baba in welcome remarks commended NITDA for speedy response given to the proposal of the Association to be trained by NITDA on digital transformation in health care delivery.

He said the NMA Executive realised that capacity building in ICT in relation healthcare delivery has become imperative and this necessitated the executive to reach out to NITDA to facilitate the training.

He appealed to the members of the Association to avail themselves the opportunities provided by the Agency to advance their productivity.

NCC Charges Nigerian Youths on Responsible Internet Usage

NCC Charges Nigerian Youths on Responsible Internet Usage

…Donates 100 Mattresses to NYSC Orientation Camp

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerian youths to leverage Internet/broadband access to unleash their potentials for innovation and creativity, as well as their quest for job opportunities and skills acquisition.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Commission, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, made the call during the presentation of 100 pieces of mattresses to the Federal Capital Territory’s Permanent Orientation Camp of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Kubwa, Abuja recently.

The presentation of the mattresses was in demonstration of the Commission’s solidarity and corporate social responsibility (CSR) to support the replacement of some of the items carted away from the camp by hoodlums during the EndSARS protests of October 27, 2020.

Speaking on behalf of Danbatta during the presentation, NCC’s Director, Public Affairs, Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde, said the youths play a great role in nation building as they contribute to national development by bringing about social reforms, noting that the NCC will always support the course of the youth in the country.

Adinde said the Commission, has various youth initiatives and programmes aimed at making them self-reliant while enhancing their contributions to the economy.

He, therefore, charged the corps members to use Internet services for gainful and profitable activities, while also advising them to refrain from using their access to telecoms services for irresponsible and nefarious activities, which could land them in trouble.

“Access to telecommunication services, especially the Internet, plays a key role in job creation for the youths and ultimately for accelerating economic development. It is critical to the overall socio-economic well-being of every economy and the youth have a greater role to play, as agents of social change, in using the Internet for positive ventures,” he said.

He also charged the large gathering of corps members, who attended the presentation ceremony, to take advantage of the various consumer-centric initiatives which the Commission has emplaced to protect and empower them as active users of telecoms services.

These include the NCC’s toll-free number 622 for consumer complaints resolution, the NCC Do-No-Disturb 2442 Short Code for dealing with unsolicited text messages, the 112 National Emergency Number managed by the Commission’s Emergency Communications Centres (ECC) located across the country.

Meanwhile, NYSC FCT Coordinator, Abdul Suleman, expressed appreciation for the solidary and support shown by the NCC to the NYSC family, especially regarding the welfare of corps members deployed to the Federal capital for the mandatory one year service to the nation.

“I am happy to receive 100 mattresses donated by the NCC, under the leadership of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, to alleviate the pains inflicted by the miscreants who vandalized the camp. The generosity of the NCC is coming at a time it is most needed, especially with the orientation camp in session.”

“On behalf of the Director-General, Management, Staff and Corps members, I wholeheartedly express our profound gratitude to the NCC for the magnanimous gesture and for investing in the Nigerian youths,” Suleman said.

At the presentation ceremony, the Commission created a lot of fun and excitement for the corps members through the ‘fast-finger’ game where airtime of different network operators were picked up freely by the corps members. Smart phones were also given out to lucky winners of the raffle draw organized by the Commission.

NCC Begins Review of Telecoms License Structure

NCC Begins Review of Telecoms License Structure

In demonstration of its responsiveness to global trends and the dynamics in the Information and Communications Technology ecosystem, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has initiated the process for the review of existing licensing structure in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

An important step towards achieving this was taken recently by the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta when he inaugurated an in-house Standing Committee to carry out the task.

Danbatta, while inaugurating the Committee, said the need for the review of the existing license structure was informed by the wide range of technological advances, convergence of technologies and services which have characterized the global telecoms space over the years, and which impact is increasingly being experienced in Nigeria.

According to him, the current license structure is almost 20 years old, hence the need for an urgent review of the existing license pattern to reflect new licensing trends in line with international standards while providing opportunities for improved revenue for government.

“Therefore, it is evidently clear that this Standing Committee, drawn up from competent hands in various departments of the Commission, is perfectly suited and capable of addressing the enormous task of reviewing the existing license structure of  telecom licensees in Nigeria,” he said.

While noting that the work of the Standing Committee will be carried out in phases, Danbatta said effective delivery of the Committee’s task will help the Commission to institute a process, which will culminate in the review of the terms and conditions of the various license categories. These, he said, will include licensing fee, as well as identification of the limitations of the various license categories, with a view to clearly determining licenses that should be phased out or amended.

Specifically, Danbatta outlined Management’s seven-point deliverables from the Committee to include a comprehensive review/report on existing licenses; report and recommendations on consultative fora; and report on recommended new license undertakings.

Others include a report on recommended amendment to license fees and durations; a report on benchmarking of license with similar jurisdictions, a report on the impact of certain licenses on other license holders. The Committee is also expected to recommend solutions as well as the develop updated regulatory framework for new and amended licenses as the case may be; and a final report on the project with all recommendations.

Also speaking during the inauguration of the Committee, the Director, Licensing and Authorisation, NCC and Chairman of the Committee, Mohammad Babajika, assured the Commission’s Management of the Committee’s resolve to deliver on the terms of their assignment.

At the end of the Committee’s assignment, and following due consultations with industry stakeholders, the Commission envisages a new draft framework for new and amended licenses.

Twitter Ban:We must not confuse Press freedom with irresponsibility – Alh. Lai Mohammed

Twitter Ban:We must not confuse Press freedom with irresponsibility – Alh. Lai Mohammed

“We must not confuse Press freedom with irresponsibility. Any platform that promotes war is not a responsible platform. How can you stay in your own country and allow your platform be used to forment war in our own county and all along be making money? There are very few countries in the world today that have a freer media than Nigeria.

This is why it’s painful, the reaction of most foreign countries to our suspension of Twitter. They saw it from the prism of stifling press freedom. Not in the least. We have a very very free press. We have no intention of stifling press freedom. However, we will do anything possible to keep our country one.

“Nigerians should be a bit more patriotic, they should please not because they hate a particular administration or a particular person not see the rationale for a particular policy of Government. In this particular case of suspending the operation of Twitter is done basically to ensure that no platform encourages war in Nigeria”

“our appeal to Nigerians is that they should understand where we are coming from. We have no intention whatsoever to stiffen anybody’s freedom, we have no intention to cut off the source of livelihood of anybody but if the platform through which you make your money is going to endanger the corporate existence of Nigeria, I think we have the responsibility to the bigger country to ensure that such platforms are reined in. They can come back, we can talk and there will be dos and don’ts.

You can’t come to our country and dictate how you are going to operate. You must operate according to the laws of our country.”

-HMIC, Alh. Lai Mohammed on Radio Nigeria’s program ‘Politics Nationwide’

PRESIDENT BUHARI BREAKS GROUND FOR NIGERIA LNG TRAIN 7, CHARGES ON TIMELY COMPLETION OF PROJECT

PRESIDENT BUHARI BREAKS GROUND FOR NIGERIA LNG TRAIN 7, CHARGES ON TIMELY COMPLETION OF PROJECT

President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday charged that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Train 7 be delivered on time so that the Train 8 project can commence.
The President gave the charge at the virtual groundbreaking ceremony of the project in Bonny Island, Rivers State,

He urged the Board of Directors, management and staff of NLNG, the host communities, the Rivers State Government and other Agencies of the Federal Government to continue to collaborate to ensure completion and eventual commissioning of the Train 7 project “safely and on time.”

”As we flag off the Train 7 project today, I look forward to the development and execution of more gas projects by the International Oil Companies (IOCs) and indigenous operators, and more Trains from Nigeria LNG to harness the over 600 trillion cubic feet of proven gas reserves we are endowed with.

”Let me use this opportunity to commend the shareholders of NLNG, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum, NNPC and the NCDMB and other stakeholders for very exemplary collaboration which has culminated in this great opportunity for Train 7.

”I want to thank the foreign investors for the confidence reposed in Nigeria, and assure all Nigerians and potential investors in the Oil and Gas sector that the Federal Government will continue to create the enabling environment in order to develop the sector and bring the full benefits of Gas closer to our people,” he said.

Going down memory lane, President Buhari recounted that the story of Nigeria LNG was one he had been ”passionately associated with during the formative years of the project.”
He said: ”As Minister of Petroleum Resources, I kicked off our first foray in LNG Business in 1978. At the time it was already apparent that Nigeria was mainly a gas-rich country with a little oil!

”It therefore gives me great joy to see the organization transform from just a project in the early 90s to a very successful company with over 20 years of responsible operations and steady supply of Liquefied Natural Gas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Natural Gas Liquids into the global market.

”This is proof that Nigeria has great capacity to deliver value to the world by harnessing our natural resources”.

The President, therefore, congratulated NLNG and its shareholders – NNPC, Shell, Total and Eni for proving that a Nigerian company can operate a world class business safely, profitably and responsibly.

Praising the consortium for clearly setting the stage upon which Nigeria’s vast gas resources will continue to grow well into the future, the President added that the focus of his administration is to boost the development of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources, strengthen the gas value chain, develop the much-needed infrastructure and enhance safe operations in the sector as outlined in the National Gas Policy of 2017.

”Through the Decade of Gas initiative, which I recently launched, we will transform Nigeria into a major gas and industrialised nation with gas playing the key role as revenue earner, fuel for industries and necessary feed for petrochemicals and fertiliser plants,” he said.

The President also expressed delight that the NLNG as the pioneer LNG company in Nigeria, has conscientiously proven the viability of the gas sector over the years, currently contributing about one percent to Nigeria’s GDP.

”NLNG has generated $114 billion in revenues over the years, paid $9 billion in taxes; $18 billion in dividends to the Federal Government and $15 billion in feed gas purchase.
”These are commendable accomplishments by the company’s 100 percent Nigerian Management Team.

”With this level of performance, I can only hope that the company continues to grow starting with this Train 7 project but also positioning Nigeria to thrive through the energy transition,” he said.

In his address, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva described NLNG as a ”blessing to the nation”, noting that it has positively complemented crude oil exploration by monetising flared gas and yielding huge revenue to the nation and investors.

Sylva added that since NLNG became operational in 1999, the nation has recorded a drastic reduction in operational flare status from 65 per cent to 12 per cent.

”I boldly say that the ground breaking of Train 7 is a guarantee to every stakeholder of more dividends in terms of further reduction in gas flaring, more revenue to the nation and shareholders, more job opportunities especially at the construction phase and more social investments for the society, ” he said.

Also speaking, Anthony Attah, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, said the Train 7 will increase NLNG’s overall capacity to 30 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) from the current 22 million mtpa, while further adding immense value to the nation and the people.

Attah noted that the project would stimulate inflow of about 10 billion dollars FDI into Nigeria, create 12,000 direct jobs in Bonny Island and additional 40,000 indirect construction jobs.

He said the project would also further the development of local capacity and businesses through the 100 per cent in-country execution of construction works, fabrications and major procurement.

‘‘Nigeria has ridden on the back of oil for over 50 years, but with this Train 7 project Nigeria is now set and I believe it is now time to fly on the wings of gas,’’ he said.

Aisha Buhari charges Wives of Service Chiefs

Aisha Buhari charges Wives of Service Chiefs

First Lady of Nigeria, Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has called on the wives of service chiefs to support their husbands in achieving the mandate given to them by the President and the nation to secure Nigeria and its citizens. She made the call while receiving wives of service chiefs during a courtesy visit at the State House on Monday 14th June 2021.

Mrs. Buhari highlighted the role that women play in nation-building as spouses of public officers and charged them to optimize their contribution in that regard. She enjoined them to uphold the spirit of camaraderie, which is common among the families of security forces that manifests during times of joy and sorrow. She also called for regular and timely payment of benefits of retired and deceased soldiers so that the affected families get their benefits as at when due and to further serve as motivation for the security forces. She used the opportunity to urge appropriate authorities to conclude the employment of more security officers to address the intractable security problems facing the nation.

May be an image of 7 people and people standing

Speaking earlier, the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs. Victoria Irabor, who led the delegation, commended Mrs. Buhari for her motherly role and constant support to the families of security officers and personnel. She recalled that many families of injured or deceased security officers have been supported by the First Lady through regular empowerment programmes. She confirmed that officers and their families are encouraged by the kind gesture and urged her colleagues to emulate the good heart of the First Lady by staying in touch with the soldiers’ families at all times.

The event was attended by the wives of service chiefs, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General, Department of State Services, and the National Security Adviser, respectively.

FG Seeks Cooperation With US On COVID-19 Vaccine

FG Seeks Cooperation With US On COVID-19 Vaccine

The Federal Government has sought for cooperation with the United States of America on procurement of Covid-19 vaccine with the aim of vaccinating 70 percent of its population in attaining the herd immunity.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, made the disclosure when the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard and her team paid him a courtesy visit in his Office.

The SGF said that Nigeria is presently experiencing shortage of Covid-19 vaccine owing to the disruption of vaccine production in India. This according to him, necessitated the need for the assistance in order to meet up its target. In his words;

“And for us to get to herd immunity, we need to vaccinate 70 Percent of our population, and that’s the major area of concern. This is where we believe the United States government would be of tremendous assistance to areas of support we are looking for in our engagement and our relationship with friendly nations like US in particular with regards to vaccine. We are looking for a prospect of a direct assistance from the US to support Nigeria to purchase vaccine directly from companies. So far, we have only been able to access vaccine from Covax facilities and donations from different offers. But so far, we have received 100,000 doses from the Indian company, in addition to the 3,924 million we received from the Covax facilities”.

He appealed to the United States to consider siting a Vaccine production plant in Nigeria owing to its huge population compared to other African countries. This he assured, will go a long way to safeguard the world considering its presence across the globe and mobility.
Mustapha conveyed the deep gratitude of the Federal Government to the US for the financial and technical support the it has been enjoying in the area of immunization against polio, fight against Covid-19, fight against HIV/ AIDs among others. He said;
“To thank you for your visit and the important work you are doing in our country. Your engagement in our country in the area of health is not only restricted to Covid-19 pandemic. I remember vividly through the PEPFA program, the US government supported Nigeria with technical and financial support to provide HIV/ AIDS services directly through the government as well as through different NGOs and civil societies to provide for the prevention, treatment, care and support to million of Nigerians and we remain eternally grateful for that. There are other different areas you have supported our work here in the country, humanitarian support basis in risk communication, water and sanitation activities”

The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Olurunnimbe Mamora appreciated the strategic partnership between Nigeria and the US which has yielded great results, among with was the mobile field hospital donated by the United States Government to help Nigeria’s effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. He appealed to the United States to further assist Nigeria in procuring more Covid-19 vaccine as the nation is having shortage of supply.

The United States’ Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard has assured the Federal Government of the commitment of President Joe Biden toward the fight against Covid-19 pandemic through its multilateral efforts. She added that the US has so far contributed 2 billion vaccine to the Covax facilities and another tranche of 2 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine were underway.

NCC Concludes Cost-Based Study on International Termination Rate Determination

NCC Concludes Cost-Based Study on International Termination Rate Determination

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded the process for determining the cost-based price of Mobile International Termination Rate (ITR) to ensure healthy competition on traffic handling for voice services between local and international operators in Nigeria.

The Commission made this known at the final Stakeholders’ Forum for the presentation of the study on cost-based pricing of mobile ITR, undertaken by Messrs Payday Advance and Support Services Limited, held at the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 with Management Staff of the Commission physically in attendance while other critical industry stakeholders participated virtually.

The forum was convened by the NCC to formally present the findings from the study, which commenced in March, 2020, to industry stakeholders and to solicit further perspectives, insights and other input on the findings towards a mutually realistic termination rate for international voice traffic in Nigeria.

Speaking at the forum, the Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, said the cost-based study became imperative, following previous efforts at finding an optimum price for the termination of international voice services that will be beneficial to all relevant industry stakeholders.

Danbatta said that the “overriding need for regulatory options and intervention in relation to the international termination rate in the voice market segment is predicated on some intractable challenges, most common with economies with severe macroeconomic volatility such as ours.”

Going down memory lane with respect to MTR determination in the Nigeria’s telecom industry, the EVC said, in 2013, the Commission issued a Determination stating that mobile Termination Rates (MTR) are the same irrespective of where the call originated. He, however, stated that this was misconstrued by operators at that time to mean that ITR should be the same rate as the MTR, consequently ignoring the international cost portion.

“Arising from these is the persistent fact that Nigeria’s ITR is below that of most countries with which it makes and receives the most calls, making Nigerian operators perpetual net payers. The obvious implication of this is seen in the attendant undue pressure on the nation’s foreign reserves, which continue to get depleted by associated net transfers to foreign operators on account of this lopsidedness,” Danbatta explained.

Danbatta further stated that regulating the ITR is imperative for developing countries, such as Nigeria, with volatile currencies in order to prevent or mitigate the imbalance of payments with international operators. He also said the Commission was faced with the challenge of arriving at a rate that will balance the competing objectives of economic efficiency while, at the same time, allowing operators the latitude to generate reasonable revenues.

He informed the forum however, that “where ITR is not regulated, it tends to converge to the MTR and for a market like Nigeria with major supply side challenges, the socio-economic implications and attendant backlash can only be imagined.”

In her comments, the Director, Policy, Competition and Economic Analysis, NCC, Yetunde Akinloye, corroborated the EVC, noting that the study was intended to compliment and consolidate the initial work done by the Commission which had also culminated in the MTR Determination published in June 2018.

According to her, the ITR previously determined was based on actual benchmarking with countries of similar characteristics to Nigeria, but the findings from that study were faced by major national macroeconomic management challenges, ultimately pointing to the need for an ITR that is cost-based, consistent with the MTR.

ITR is the rate paid to local operators by international operators to terminate calls in Nigeria as contrasted with MTR, which is the rate local operators pay to another local operator to terminate calls within the country.

Meanwhile, Danbatta has reiterated the NCC’s commitment “to continuously provide a conducive environment and level playing field for the effective interplay of factors that would engender sustained market development and growth, while ensuring the provision of qualitative and efficient telecommunication services to the consumers”.

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has concluded the process of determining the cost-based price of Mobile International Termination Rate (ITR) to ensure healthy competition on traffic handling for voice services between local and international operators in Nigeria.