Day: April 3, 2024

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved increase in electricity tariff paid by Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225/KWh.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Band A are those customers who enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours per day.

Mr Musliu Oseni, NERC Vice Chairman, said this at a news conference on Wednesday in Abuja.

Oseni said these customers represent 15 per cent of the 12 million electricity customers across the country.

He said the commission had also downgraded some customers on Band A to Band C, due to non-fulfillment of the required hours of electricity provided by the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it generated more than N1.3 trillion revenue in the first quarter of 2024.

The Comptroller General (C-G) of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, said this while briefing newsmen on its activities in the first quarter of 2024, on Wednesday in Abuja.

‘The total revenue collected during this period amounted to N1,347,675,608,972.75.

‘The collection for the first quarter represents a substantial increase of 122.35 per cent compared to the same period last year, where N606,119,935,146.67 was collected,’ he said.

Adeniyi explained that the month-by-month analysis illustrated the service’s impressive growth trajectory in Jan. 2024, where it recorded revenue of N390,824 billion, an increase of 95.6 per cent compared to that of Jan. 2023 of N199.81 billion.

He added that in February, the service recorded 138.68 per cent growth and in March, 132.76 per cent compared to 2023.

The C-G said that the service, within the quarter under review, recorded 572 seizures of various items valued at N10
.59 billion in Duty Paid Value (DPV) and 22 suspects were arrested.

According to him, rice constituted 39 per cent of the seizures, followed by petroleum products at 26 per cent, with motor vehicles and textiles accounting for nine and six per cent respectively.

He said that the service was determined to address smuggling and harassment of its personnel during operations in border communities through strengthened anti-smuggling strategies with innovations such as Geographic Information System.

‘One notable initiative is the integration of geospatial technology alongside the utilisation of satellite imagery and Artificial Intelligence tools and techniques.

‘These efforts were initiated upon my assumption of office to combat the longstanding issue of smuggling and enhance the NCS’s enforcement capabilities for effective monitoring of our extensive 4,000 km borders.

‘Additionally, this initiative will establish a Command and Control center to monitor activities along our borders comprehensively,’ he said.

Adeniyi noted that even though customs recorded a decrease in the volume of import transactions in the first quarter, it was working toward streamlining its trade processes to address bottlenecks and optimise its efficiency across ports for seamless trade transactions.

He said that the service also recorded several systemic challenges related to non-compliance with regulations, infrastructure limitations, and significant fluctuations in exchange rates applied in the clearance of consignments.

The NCS boss explained that in the first quarter 2024, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed 28 rates, and such fluctuations resulted in an average applied exchange rate of NGN 1,314.03 per one dollar in the clearance of customs goods during the quarter.

He explained that the fluctuations affected and disrupted the activities of its stakeholders and the potential of its revenue.

Consequently, Adeniyi said that the NCS, with the support of the Minister of Finance, has initiated periodic consultations with the CBN to
mitigate the potential impact of exchange rate fluctuations on import activities.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

WINDHOEK: Telecom Namibia (TN) on Monday deactivated 191 598 unregistered prepaid Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards, in a move to comply with regulations set by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).

This was stated in a press release issued by TN Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations, Nomvula Kambinda.

According to the statement, the decision follows TN’s commitment to align with the recently implemented SIM card registration regulations mandated by CRAN.

‘As of 31 March 2024, TN’s records indicated a total of 442 410 active mobile subscribers. Following the deactivation, TN will maintain a base of 250 812 registered prepaid subscribers,’ Kambinda said.

She said the company is committed to adhering to CRAN-mandated SIM card registration regulations and safeguarding consumer privacy.

‘To ensure transparency and accountability, TN has implemented a comprehensive deactivation procedure involving the transition of unregistered prepaid SIM cards to a ‘Two-way block’ s
tatus, rendering them inactive for any communication activity,’ stated Kambinda.

The press release explained the deactivation process and reassured customers affected by the deactivation that they could regain service by completing the registration process.

‘TN has systematically identified all active prepaid SIM cards that remain unregistered in its system. They have now been transitioned to a two-way block status, effectively preventing them from initiating or receiving calls, texts, or data services. Reactivation of deactivated SIM cards is only possible by completing the established SIM registration process, ensuring that only registered users can access TN’s services and strengthening regulatory compliance and data security measures,’ it said.

TN encourages those impacted to visit any Teleshop to register their SIM cards promptly.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

OKANKOLO: The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR)’s head of rural water supply and sanitation in Oshikoto, Stevenson Tuukondjele said that by the look of things, they might experience water crises worse than last year.

Tuukondjele said that residents of the Eengodi, Okankolo and Nehale lyaMpingana constituencies in the Oshikoto Region might experience a more serious water crisis this year compared to the one they experienced last year.

He said in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday that with the very low rainfall they received this year, the ponds and other platforms that used to store rainwater have dried up so the water crisis might be worse than last year.

‘The ponds used to supply people and their animals with water during the rainy season and later they would use water from NamWater, but they have already started utilising NamWater at this time especially those that are at the edge of NamWater pipelines,’ Tuukondjele said.

Tuukondjele also urged the community to be vigilant by alw
ays keeping an eye on the elements of the boreholes such as the pumps.

He added that the ministry has drilled 52 boreholes in these areas and the majority of them are in operation while a few are in the process of completion.

‘The government is trying hard in these areas to mitigate the water scarcity but our community members are stealing these pumps and selling them to commercial farmers,’ he said.

Tuukondjele urged the communities to work with the police to help stop these criminal activities.

Okankolo Constituency councillor, Hans Nambondi said that they have many villages and centres that do not have water at the moment.

‘Due to the low rainfall we experienced this year, the underground water is sinking so fast, so some traditional wells and ponds have dried up already,’ said Nambondi.

He pointed out that residents from Iilya, Onamakulikwa, Iiyambo Nomuyamba, Omunduda, Ekoko, Onampombo, Oshipanga and many more are travelling vast distances to look for water in other areas.

‘We are afraid that the
few sources of water we have in some areas might be dried up because they are catering for many people,’ said Nambondi.

Nambondi however said that they are happy that the government is drilling boreholes along the aforementioned villages and hoped they would be operational in the next few months.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

RUNDU: Rolling-out of a voucher system under the coordination of the disaster risk management programme is currently underway in the country, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila has said.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said this when she motivated the proposed budget allocation of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) totalled at N.dollars 1 billion (N.dollars 1 104 281 000) in the National Assembly on Wednesday.

‘A pilot voucher system was implemented at Okatana village in the Oshana Region in 2023, enabling a transition from in-kind food assistance to a voucher system. Currently, 2 276 beneficiaries are benefitting from the voucher system,’ she said.

She explained that OPM developed the Commodity and Beneficiary Management Information System to enable the digitisation of data of beneficiaries and the issuance of vouchers to beneficiaries.

The vouchers are redeemed at locally contracted retailers, thus beneficiaries collect their food parcels from there.

According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, the transition to
voucher use eases administrative and logistical costs associated with food delivery, storage and distribution.

‘It also minimises the risk of pilferage and waste of drought relief products and also promotes support to the local economies in the different localities,’ she stated.

The prime minister further indicated that against a budget of N.dollars 892 million, as at 28 February 2024, the expenditure under the drought relief programme stood at N.dollars 361.6 million, of which N.dollars 307 million was expended towards food assistance.

The logistics costs she noted, take up N.dollars 33.7 million while the cost of livestock support, in the form of subsidies to participating farmers, was N.dollars 7.2 million.

Some N.dollars 13.8 million was used for water provision.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila further informed the National Assembly that food assistance to vulnerable households is provided to a total of 284 462 households, inclusive of 33 105 households in marginalised communities, which are normally catered fo
r under the welfare programmes implemented by the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) on Wednesday announced the suspension of roughly 323 236 subscribers from its network after failing to register their SIM cards by the 31 March deadline.

The mandatory SIM registration was introduced by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRANs) in line with the provisions of Section 77 of the Communications Act of 2009 and commenced on 01 January until 31 December 2023, before it was extended to 31 March 2024.

MTC’s Chief Human Capital, Corporate Affairs, and Marketing Officer, Tim Ekandjo, in a media statement said the suspension does not imply that their numbers have been deactivated, but simply implies that a suspended number will be unable to use any services until it completes the SIM registration process.

The registration process, he said will span 90 days, starting on 01 April until 01 July 2024, or as otherwise directed by CRAN.

”If this grace period expires and no action is taken by the SIM owner, the number will be deactivated/d
eleted from the network permanently,’ he cautioned.

Ekandjo added that the 323 236 unregistered consumers account for around 3.1 per cent of revenue, or an average of N. dollars 8.1 million every month, noting that the mobile company has however registered 1 613 893 customers, representing an 83.3 per cent registration rate.

MTC has always maintained that it would require 24 months to successfully finalise the sim registration process, but despite MTCs best efforts, it has encountered challenges in finalizing the registration process for all customers, as previously communicated to the Authority – such as the geographical vastness of the country amongst other socio-economic conditions which made it impossible for some members of the public to register on time, he said.

”MTC would have welcomed an extended time to be able to register all our customers. Although it is not an ideal situation, the reality of the matter is that MTC must act accordingly and follow the directive to suspend numbers, as stipulated
by the Authority. Should any new development arise pertaining SIM registration, we will inform our consumers accordingly,’ he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Information and Communication Technology Deputy Minister Modestus Amutse commended the United Nations (UN) for striving to put in place a Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes as an international legal instrument on cybercrime.

Amutse in a speech at the 2024 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation Forum in Xiamen City, on Tuesday, said cybercrimes know no border and the alarming rates should be a global concern as these crimes disrupt business operations and cause reputational damage.

‘Therefore our preparedness and proactive responsiveness are imperative. We should have responsive and harmonized laws to prosecute perpetrators,’ he said.

He said the danger posed by cybercrime is a collective issue faced by all nations, therefore, collaborative efforts are required as displayed at the sub-forums. The event featured four sub-forums to share development opportunities in the digital economy, expanding online media cooperation b
etween China and Africa, strengthening online security, and the development and governance of artificial intelligence.

Amutse further said ‘The fight against cybercrimes requires collaborative efforts at national, regional and international levels and our presence here today signifies the importance we should attach to working together and cements our commitment towards building cyber resilience nations.

He noted that there is also a need to create awareness programmes to enhance the internet user emphasizing that it is equally as important as having laws, structures and infrastructures in place.

The 2024 China-Africa Internet Development and Cooperation forum which commenced on Tuesday ends on Wednesday.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

WINDHOEK: Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes !Gawaxab said enormous economic opportunities are coming for the town of Luderitz, as it is at the centre of Namibia’s oil and gas exploration and green hydrogen development.

!Gawaxab made the remarks during a public lecture at the southern harbour town on Wednesday, noting that: ‘As the energy capital of Namibia, there has never been a critical time in the history of our country to help accelerate the global transition to clean renewable energy. And Lderitz’s location is ideal because of the extensive solar and wind resources and the proximity to the ocean – both as water and a port.’

He said the oil and gas discoveries and the anticipated green hydrogen industries are expected to change the socioeconomic landscape of the town of Lderitz and drive the need for the town council to avail large sections of land for industrial and residential purposes.

This, he said will also result in a large number of people expected to migrate to Lderitz in search of opportunitie
s.

‘There is going to be a lot of demand for land, for offices and residential in Lderitz. There are going to be a lot of people that will look for education for their children,’ he added.

However, !Gawaxab warned against the negative effects of natural resources, also known as the Dutch disease.

‘When we get oil and gas, everybody is focused on oil and gas. And we forget the rest of the industries that we have. A town like Lderitz is a fishing town. Fish and fish processing is what keeps this town together. But if we find oil and gas, and we ignore our fishing industry, we are making a big mistake,’ he said.

!Gawaxab noted that some of the global oil majors that have discovered oil in the Orange Basin are expected to set up bases in Lderitz.

Currently, Shell, Total Energies, and other oil giants are appraising oil discoveries they made off the coast of Namibia, with an estimated 11 billion barrels. According to !Gawaxab, the capital expenditure for oil and gas alone will be around N.dollars 180 billion.

The public lecture was titled ‘Positioning Namibia’s oil and gas endowment: Avoiding the Dutch Disease’.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency