Connect with us

General News

NES Seeks Harmonization Economic Policies

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The Nigerian Economic Society (NES) has called on the Federal Government to properly articulate its policies and strategies to enhance economic growth as well as create opportunities for the private sector to access regional and global markets.

The NES made the call yesterday in eleven-point communiqué read by the President, Professor Akpan H. Ekpo to round off the Society’s 49th Annual conference with theme, "Global Competitiveness and the Nigerian economy: The way forward" held in Abuja.

The Society further urged the Federal Government to introduce innovation in the payments system, invest in agricultural sector, create an environment to discourage rent seeking particularly in oil sector, improve infrastructural facilities in the country, massively fund the education sector at all levels and promote Small and Medium Enterprises, among others.

According to Prof. Ekpo, "Government should create an environment to discourage rent seeking, particularly in oil sector. More reforms are necessary in the sector, particularly in the light of recent mind-boggling revelations in the operations of Department of Petroleum Resources and the allocation and payments for oil blocks, from the public hearing on the oil sector by the House of Representatives.

"There is the need for Government to improve infrastructural facilities in the country, particularly in the transport and energy sectors as well as improving human capacity to promote efficiency and competitiveness of the economy.

He stressed that efforts should be made to break the monopoly of Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in power transmission by bringing in other companies, by breaking the country in to five or six zones and franchise granted to each of these larger power companies for each zone to enhance rapid growth in the sector.

He canvassed for encouragement of foreign banks to enter the Nigerian banking landscape to encourage inflow of foreign capital and help drive down costs of credit and administration leading to low interest margins.

In respect of education, the NES noted that with the seeming unattractiveness of employment in the sector, the government needed to review wages in the sector to attract capable hands and grantee quality education for the country and enhance its competitiveness.

The Society emphasized the need for cooperation of all stakeholders, private and public operators in the economy in addressing the economic problems of the country particularly in the power sector.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Comments

General News

NAHCO Signs New Ground Handling Deals

Published

on

Kindly share this post

The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc has announced the signing of a chain of contracts with major airlines for the provision of total handling solutions.

In a statement on Tuesday, the company announced the signing of contract renewals with Air France, KLM and Virgin Atlantic, as well as the African operator, RwandAir.

NAHCO also signed fresh contracts with United Nigeria – Regional, Bellagio and Malaikair.

According to the statement, the contracts with Air France and KLM are for three years and will run till 2028, respectively. The duration of the contract with Virgin Atlantic was also put at three years.

The duration for the RwandAir contract is for three years, effective 1 October 2025.

The statement read, “The new contract with United – Regional would be for a period of five years, effective from 1 August 2025. For Bellagio and Malaikair, the contracts are for three and five years, respectively.

“Bellagio Air, Nigeria’s rising star in aviation, is redefining air travel with a blend of luxury, efficiency, and reliability. Headquartered in the vibrant city of Ikeja, Lagos, Bellagio Air is committed to providing world-class service across key domestic and regional routes.”

The Group Executive Director, Commercial and Business Development, NAHCO Plc, Saheed Lasisi, who expressed his delight with the new contracts, said NAHCO is already ready to exceed customers’ expectations.

According to Lasisi, NAHCO’s more than 46 years of unblemished excellent service delivery puts it heads and shoulders above any other service provider in the industry.

“This is what we have been doing for almost half of a century. We will continue to delight our customers and make our stakeholders happy by exceeding expectations in all aspects of our service offerings. We are always willing and ready to do more,” Lasisi added.

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NAHCO Plc, Olumuyiwa Olumekun, added that with the new fleet of equipment the company is deploying, service delivery will only be better.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

Nigeria Targets Satellite-to-Mobile Services in Draft Spectrum Roadmap

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has unveiled a forward-looking strategy that places satellite-enabled mobile connectivity at the heart of the country’s drive to bridge its long-standing coverage gaps.

Nigeria Targets Satellite-to-Mobile Services in Draft Spectrum Roadmap

The draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector for 2025 to 2030 lays out how satellite technologies could help deliver reliable voice and data services to millions of Nigerians who live beyond the reach of conventional mobile networks.

The direction is outlined in the Commission’s draft Spectrum Roadmap for the Communications Sector covering the period.

The proposed approach highlights non-terrestrial networks as a complement to existing mobile infrastructure, especially in areas where terrain, insecurity, or high costs limit the deployment of base stations.

The NCC said D2D satellite technology, which allows standard mobile phones to connect directly to satellites, is gaining traction globally as a means of delivering voice and data services without reliance on ground towers.

According to the regulator, the technology could help close persistent coverage gaps in rural, riverine, and border communities that remain outside the reach of conventional networks.

It also noted that satellite-backed connectivity could improve network reliability by providing alternative links during fibre cuts, power failures, or other disruptions affecting terrestrial systems.

The Commission added that wider adoption of D2D services could support emergency communications, public safety operations, Internet of Things applications, and services such as smart agriculture in underserved regions.

It also pointed to potential investment opportunities through partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, including more efficient use of shared spectrum resources.

Beyond D2D services, the roadmap places emphasis on Low-Earth Orbit satellites to expand broadband access to remote parts of the country.

It also proposes better utilisation of Geostationary Orbit satellites and the exploration of high-altitude platforms, such as stratospheric balloons, to support mobile backhaul and rural connectivity.

The policy signals come shortly after Airtel Africa announced an agreement with SpaceX to introduce Starlink-powered direct-to-cell services in Nigeria.

The NCC’s roadmap is expected to shape future spectrum allocation, licensing decisions, and technology adoption across the telecommunications sector.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

General News

House of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims

Published

on

Kindly share this post

House of Representatives has released certified true copies of the four tax reform Acts signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, addressing public concerns over alleged discrepancies between legislative versions and circulated gazetted documents.

House of Reps Releases Certified Copies of Tax Reform Acts amid Gazette Discrepancy Claims

Tax Reform Acts

House spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, disclosed this in a statement, noting that Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the immediate publication of the Acts—including endorsement and presidential assent pages—for public verification, in collaboration with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The move followed allegations raised by Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki on the House floor, highlighting inconsistencies between Bills passed by the National Assembly and executive gazetted versions, which he warned could erode legislative integrity and public trust.

Abbas constituted a seven-member ad hoc committee chaired by Rep. Aliyu Betara, with members including Idris Wase, Sada Soli, Adedeji Faleke, Igariwey Iduma, Fred Agbedi and Babajimi Benson, to investigate the alleged alterations, unauthorised circulation and preventive measures.

The committee’s mandate includes probing circumstances around the discrepancies, while Abbas ordered internal verification and public release of certified copies to dispel doubts and safeguard legislative records. Legal experts, tax professionals and civil society had demanded clarification and implementation suspension amid heated debates triggered by Dasuki’s intervention.

The released laws comprise the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025; Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025; National Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025; and Joint Revenue Board Establishment Act, 2025, described as foundational to modernising Nigeria’s tax system.

These reforms aim to enhance compliance, curb inefficiencies, eliminate overlaps and bolster fiscal coordination across federal, state and local tiers, following extensive stakeholder consultations, committee reviews and plenary debates under Abbas’s leadership.

Rotimi reassured Nigerians: “The National Assembly is an institution built on records, procedure, and institutional memory. Every Bill, every amendment, and every Act follows a traceable constitutional and parliamentary pathway.”

He emphasised that only National Assembly-certified versions hold authority, urging the public, institutions and stakeholders to disregard all other circulating documents as unofficial.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending