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Economy

Enugu Residents Decry Lack of Adequate Sensitisation for May 3 Census

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Residents of Enugu State have said they were not aware of the forthcoming National Population Census in the country, scheduled to hold from May 3 to 8, 2023, across the country.

A cross section of the residents bared their minds in separate interviews with the press on Monday in Enugu.

According to some of the residents, there have not been enough sensitisation on the census.

Mr.

Olu Omotayo, a Civil Rights Lawyer, said he was aware of the exercise, but confirmed that many residents around him were not aware of the census.

According to him, the general awareness among the people was very low, adding that the National Population Commision (NPC) may need to do more in the area of awareness and sensitisation.

He said: “For me, I am aware of the forthcoming census exercise but I am not sure if many people around my area are aware.

“It appears many residents of my area are not aware of the census.

“With just few weeks to the commencement of the exercise, I wish relevant authorities should do more, otherwise the Government should start thinking of postponing the census further.”

Omotayo said that people have not yet recovered from the 2023 elections: “so, they are not really ready to be thinking of another government exercise now.

“We know that anything like census is very critical and controversial and holding it just after a controversial national election, a lot of people may not be interested,” Omotayo said.

Also speaking, Mr Steve Ofilli, a current affairs analyst, said the awareness and sensitisation by relevant authorities in charge, was not enough.

“Apart from some of us who are close to the media and have access to reading newspapers, many other residents are not aware of what is happening.

“I think the NPC needs to do more in the area of sensitisation because I am sure these things were budgeted for by the Federal Government.

“National census is a very important exercise. It aids national economic planning and must not be taken lightly,” he said.

Similarly, a trader at Holy Ghost market, Enugu, Mrs Juliet Ene, said she was neither aware nor intereted about the exercise.

Ene said she had decided not to participate in any government programes until she sees the outcome of the Feb. 25, 2023, Elections.

“They should leave us alone. After all the efforts we put in to change Nigeria for good by standing for hours on the sun to vote.

“Our votes did not count; so, how are we sure that our heads will count,” she said.

Mr Mark Okpo, a politician, said he was fully aware of the census exercise.

He, however, said that the government’s plan of scheduling the census on the same year with the national election was improper.

“I am also disturbed about several items omitted on the exercise, including issues like exclusion of tribe and religion.

“I have been doing my best to sensitise my constituents but it appears that since the election, their morale is low.

“Many don’t believe anything good can come out of the census,” he said.

Meanwhile, in reaction, the NPC Federal Commissioner for Enugu State, Mr Ejike Eze, debunked the insinuation of inadequate sensitisation.

He said that the commission had been on radio stations in the state with jingles and adverts, sensitising the residents.

He said the commission had also visited all the 17 Council Areas of Enugu State severally, telling people about the census.

“Even in the course of our demarcation exercise, we engaged stakeholders and also had a series of stakeholders’ engagements with traditional and religious leaders and government functionaries.

“We have excess applicants for census adhoc staff and in some Local Government Areas (LGAs), we have more than 2,000 applicants.

“So, if people are not aware of it, how did these people get to know about adhoc staff engagements,” Eze asked. (NAN)

Economy

Value Addition is new Standard in Mining Operations – Alake

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has declared value addition as the new indispensable standard for mining operations in the country.

Alake made the declaration in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Segun Tomori, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister had earlier said that the federal government had resolved to ensure compliance to value addition before permitting investors to operate.

He said that his seven-point agenda for the ministry had placed the mining sector on the global front burner since assuming office, which had generated renewed interest from the international community in Nigeria`s mineral resources.

According to the statement, the minister lauded a mining company, African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd.

(ANRML), during an inspection tour in Kaduna State, for its 600 million dollar facility dedicated to the mining and processing of magnetite iron-ore.

He described the move as in line with the government`s resolve for value addition, which is especially apt given President Bola Tinubu`s quest to develop the solid minerals, to boost Nigeria`s economic profile and to meet the global upsurge in energy transition.

“The company aligns with our vision of value addition and beneficiation through its processing of iron-ore, and I urge other mining companies to take a cue from them, “ he said.

He reiterated the government`s commitment to abstain from granting mining licenses to companies that lack the necessary plans for value addition.

The minister acknowledged that resilience, courage and laying a solid foundation were critical in contributing to the company success.

He added that such factors also serve as guidelines for President Tinubu`s administration in its efforts for economic transformation.

“ We have set our minds in this administration and invariably in Nigeria to achieve success, that is why Mr President is restructuring the economy.

“When this company (ANRML) started seven years ago, we saw one of the foundations through the video documentary, the amount of concrete that went in to erect a foundation, just to carry a giant edifice.

“That is what we are going through. When we get through the gestation period, the results will manifest, and it will herald prosperity, “he said.

The minister had stated that no license would be granted to companies wishing to enter the mineral sector without presenting a plan for value addition, such as processing and refining which has multiplier effect on the economy. (NAN)

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Economy

Life Insurance Records 95% Net Claims in Q4 2023-NAICOM

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The National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) says Life insurance business recorded about 95 per cent net claims of the total claims in the fourth quarter of 2023.

A report by NAICOM in Abuja on Tuesday hinted that the record was due to the direct reflection of the ongoing regulatory measures by the Commission regarding claims settlements.

NAICOM said the insurance market average stood at about 71.

4 per cent of the N536.
5 billion gross claims reported at the close of the fourth quarter.

The Commission said the market also recorded retention of about 87.7 per cent for the life business, 54 per cent for non-life while the aggregate market average retention stood at 66.

7 per cent for the period.

It showed that the insurance industry sustained its progressive trend of positive market performance at the close of 2023 fourth quarter.

According to NAICOM, the insurance market recorded a milestone growth to close at N1.003 trillion, representing about 27 per cent growth compared to the N790 billion recorded in 2022.

”Major growth drivers in the non-life segment of the market were oil and gas and fire Insurances contributing 27.3 per cent and 24.1 per cent respectively.

”In a direct reflection to the “no-premium no-cover” policy of the Commission, the outstanding premium continues to decline.

”The premium posted 1.6 per cent as outstanding of all the premiums generated in the market during the period.

”Statistics also shows that the market recorded total assets of about N2.67trillion and capitalisation of N851billion in 2023,” NAICOM said. (NAN)

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Economy

No Mining License without Mineral Value Addition Plans-Alake Warns

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The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake has warned that no mining license would be issued to prospective investors without requisite plans for value addition on minerals.

Alake gave the warning in a statement  by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori on Tuesday.

He said the Federal Government had resolved to ensure compliance before permitting investors to operate.

He said that his Seven -Point Agenda for the ministry had placed the mining sector on global front burner since assuming office, which had generated renewed interest from the international community in Nigeria’s mineral resources.

He said the support of the executive and the legislature had enabled the ministry to showcase the solid minerals sector globally, resulting in his election as the Chairman of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) at the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

According to him, with the pact that led to the formation of the AMSG, there is now unity of purpose on the African continent regarding the issue of local value addition.

“We are no longer going to allow anybody or license any company that wants to go into the mineral sector without giving us a plan for local value addition,  like processing, refining and this has a multiplier effect on the economy.

“It instantly generates employment rather than a few people carting away lithium, gold, and the likes to other countries to sell.

“These minerals must now be processed in Nigeria, creating more value and beneficiation for local communities where they are sourced, ” he said.

Reports says that the minister had earlier received members of the House Committee on Solid Minerals who were on oversight visit to his office.

The minister commended the lawmakers for their support in repositioning the mining sector, stressing that boosting the economic profile of Nigeria required joint task by both the executive and legislature.

He acknowledged the significant contribution of sub-nationals to mining development, emphasising that state chairmen of  Mineral Resources and Environmental Management Committee (MIREMCO) and five committee members were nominated by state governments. (NAN)

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