News
Nesrea Shutdown of BTS Affects Service Quality- Alton
Telecommunications operators under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (Alton) has said that it could no longer guarantee quality of service in some parts of Abuja, Kaduna, Ilorin Lagos and Owerri as a result of shutdown of its members’ Base Transceiver Station (BTS) in those areas by the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (Nesra).
Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, chairman, Alton, said that in addition to Nesrea’s action, several other State and Local Government Authorities and their agents have increasingly adopted extra-judicial and ominous tactics of invading and locking up facility sites on trivial grounds and without consideration for administrative due process of law nor the wider implications of their action on the nation.
“It is regrettable that BTS sites are incessantly sealed or locked up by Government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) or their agents, typically employing Task Forces to forcefully extract illegal levies and other inappropriate commitments from operators. This is done without careful consideration of the harmful effects of such lockouts to the economy, foreign investment drive, safety and security as well as the wider implications on the generality of the Nigerian populace,” he said.
He added that the recent closures by Nesrea follow the alleged failure of telecommunication operators to submit Environmental Audit (EA) Reports (or EARs) for all BTS sites in the country by the 23rd of August, 2010 in response to Nesrea’s directives.
He noted that although the directive came during the year, after their members had already made their budgets for the year. Telecommunication operator’s he said, never-the-less commenced the exercise and succeeded to a large extent in submitting the EARs by the deadline of 23rd August, 2010. “This is notwithstanding the huge cost implication of the unbudgeted exercise, in an industry that is highly capital intensive, coupled with high operational costs and other challenges associated with the state of supporting infrastructure (such as power and transportation) and also the security situation in the country,” he explained.
He said: “Alton acknowledges and commends the decision of Nesrea to extend the deadline for submission of the EARs by one month, even as we note that the closure of the sites on the 23rd of August (ahead of the expiration of the initial deadline) runs contrary to the very directive of Nesrea. And it needs also to be pointed out that notwithstanding the extension given, it took NESREA officials several days before they unsealed the affected BTS sites”.
According to him, “the impact on quality of services are worsened by the fact that the telecoms infrastructure is a web of interconnected elements – failures on one service provider’s network will often compromise service quality and availability on other networks, negatively affecting users on the other networks. In that regard, Nigeria risks being ‘disconnected’ from the rest of the world as the infrastructure providing communications services are shut down”.
It is therefore in the national interest that telecoms networks be viewed and protected as essential national infrastructure whose seamless operation must not be interfered with without lawful justification and authorisation.
Alton he said however, noted that site closures are often carried out albeit without due consideration for the sensitivity of the telecommunications industry to the economy, given the nature of communications infrastructure. Further, site closures have been carried out in a manner that damages the infrastructure and compromises the health and safety of staff of the agencies concerned as well as occupiers of neighbouring premises. Restoration of the affected sites according to him is often at huge costs in time and financing, with immeasurable impact on the esteemed communication of subscribers. In Nesrea’s case sensitive equipment were crudely powered down, batteries were removed and taken away from generating sets, alloy locks were damaged, and staff of the operators were harassed and intimidated, using armed police officers.
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to introduce Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) baggage tracking technology across domestic and international airport terminals to tackle the growing problem of delayed, misrouted and missing luggages
Michael Achimugu, director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, NCAA, disclosed this at a stakeholder engagement forum in Lagos.
Achimugu said the RFID-enabled system would replace the traditional barcode-based baggage tracking framework and provide airlines and passengers with real-time visibility of checked luggage from check-in to final collection.
According to him, the technology would improve baggage traceability, reduce mishandling and strengthen accountability across the baggage-handling chain.
Unlike conventional barcode systems, RFID technology allows baggage to be automatically scanned at multiple points without requiring direct line of sight, enabling real-time tracking of luggage throughout its journey.
Achimugu said issues involving short-landed, missing, lost or damaged baggage had remained among the major complaints from air travellers, alongside flight delays.
He said the introduction of RFID technology was therefore aimed at improving baggage-handling standards and restoring passenger confidence in the aviation sector.
The NCAA said the initiative also aligns with IATA Resolution 753, which requires airlines to track baggage at key points during the passenger journey.
The authority expects the technology to provide more accurate information on the location of luggage, facilitate quicker resolution of baggage-related complaints and improve the overall passenger experience.
The NCAA said the initiative would also strengthen accountability among airlines and other stakeholders involved in baggage handling at Nigerian airports.
eTranzact International Plc has called for increased adoption of digital payment solutions among micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), saying access to technology is critical to improving business efficiency, financial inclusion and growth.
The company also said it was deepening its partnership with the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to expand digital access and financial literacy among small businesses across the country.
In a statement, the Divisional Head, Merchant Services, eTranzact, Mrs. Abimbola Reis, stated this at the SMEDAN/eTranzact Town Hall Engagement in Lagos recently, themed, “Financial Literacy and Inclusion for MSMEs Leveraging on Fintech Innovation.”
Reis described MSMEs as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, noting that the sector comprises almost 40 million businesses and contributes significantly to economic growth and job creation.
However, she said many businesses continue to face challenges including limited access to finance, inefficient payment systems, weak financial reporting, cash-flow constraints and inadequate access to digital platforms.
She added that trust concerns also affect businesses’ ability to access finance, while heavy reliance on cash increases exposure to theft and makes payment reconciliation more difficult.
Representing the Director-General of SMEDAN, Prof. Yinka Fisher said the town hall was aimed at generating practical ideas and solutions that would support the growth and expansion of MSMEs.
“The essence of this engagement is to share ideas and concepts that will help MSMEs thrive and expand. Our partnership with eTranzact is about expanding the frontiers of MSMEs and ensuring they continue to grow,” he said.
Also speaking, representative of the Director-General of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr. Praise Adedigba said businesses could no longer depend solely on hard work to remain competitive.
As the world marks International Youth Day, attention once again turns to the opportunities and challenges facing young people as they prepare for work, financial independence, and adulthood.
In Nigeria, the urgency is clear. According to UNICEF, about 7% of young people aged 15–24 possess basic ICT skills, highlighting a wider gap in the skills required to participate effectively in an increasingly digital economy.
At the same time, the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, continues to prioritize skills development, job creation, entrepreneurship and social inclusion.
For PalmPay, youth empowerment goes beyond corporate social responsibility. It is an investment in the people who will shape Nigeria’s workforce, businesses and economy.
This belief is reflected in initiatives focused on financial literacy, employability, digital skills and access to opportunities.
Through its Graduate Trainee Programme, PalmPay provides young graduates with opportunities to gain workplace experience, develop professional skills and build careers in a fast-evolving industry.
The investment also extends to financial education. Through its NYSC Financial Literacy Programme, PalmPay brings practical financial education to young Nigerians at an important transition point, helping Corps members develop better habits around saving, spending, budgeting and protecting their money.
For young women, Purple Woman provides another pathway to economic empowerment, creating opportunities for internships, learning and professional development while supporting greater female participation in the technology sector.
Speaking on the importance of youth empowerment, Chika Nwosu, Managing Director of PalmPay Nigeria, said: “Nigeria’s young population is one of its greatest assets, but unlocking its potential requires access to the right skills, knowledge and opportunities. At PalmPay, we are committed to equipping young Nigerians to learn, earn and thrive in an increasingly digital economy. We believe that investing in young people today is an investment in a stronger, more inclusive Nigeria.”
These initiatives reflect a broader belief that youth empowerment is most meaningful when young people are given the knowledge, exposure and opportunities to apply what they learn.
A graduate given workplace exposure today can become tomorrow’s business leader. A Corps member who develops sound financial habits can carry those lessons into their career and personal life. A young woman given access to professional opportunities can gain the confidence, experience, and networks to create opportunities for others.
Investing in young people is a great strategy for building a stronger, more productive, and more inclusive economy.
This International Youth Day, PalmPay reaffirms its commitment to investing in young Nigerians and contributing to a broader national ambition where the young population is not just counted, but equipped, employed, empowered, and positioned to lead.
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