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Business & Finance
Thursday, December 20 2012
National Mirror www.nationalmirroronline.net
NATCA, NAMA bicker over radio communication performance OLUSEGUN KOIKI
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he ongoing controversybetween the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA), the umbrella body of Air Traffic Controllers and its management, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), may be far from over as the duo again yesterday traded words over the performance of radio communication in the country’s airspace. While NATCA insisted that the poor radio communications has been on for decades and warned of imminent danger in the airspace if not rectified soon, NAMA on the other hand said that the seeming gloomy picture being painted by the group does not exist as the daily statistics show more traffic across the nation’s airports, averaging 500, apart from over 150 daily flights around the Port Harcourt Airport axis operated by the oil companies. Briefing journalists yesterday in Lagos, the President of NATCA, Mr. Victor Eyaru said that all the claims of NATCA on
the poor Very High Frequency (VHF) radios used by the two Area Control Centres (ACC) in Kano and Lagos are verifiable facts, which NAMA management attested to by saying it had some challenges in solving their problems. Eyaru noted that over N400m tax payers’ money had been expended on the Total VHF coverage project in the last four years, but without any success. On the argument of NAMA that the ongoing Aeronautic Information Service (AIS) automation project would solve the communication problem, NATCA explained it would never solve the problems being faced now, rather, called for complete overhaul of the facilities for effective performance. He argued that the personalized headsets the NAMA management said it procured for N400, 000 each could not solve the problem and urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency to fully commercialise the air navigation services provided for desired efficiency and reduce waste in the system. The controllers challenged
L-R: Managing Director, Noah’s Ark Communications, Mr. Lanre Adisa; Principal Education Officer, Community Senior High School, Mrs. Opeyemi Remi-Oluwasanmi and vice Principal, Mr. AbdulKabir Abubakar, during Noah’s Ark Corporate Social Responsibity in Lagos, yesterday.
the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to live up to its responsibilities by not limiting its regulatory duties to only private sector of the industry, but also services rendered by government agencies to the flying public. However, NAMA management insisted that the radio communication facilities have been working as expected.
A press released signed by the General Manager, Public Affairs, NAMA, Mr. Supo Atobatele and made available to journalists said it viewed this latest affront on the management by the controllers as another attempt to distract its attention from pursuing the set goals of transforming the agency to a world class air navigation service provider. Atobatele insisted that the to-
tal VHF radio coverage of the country has been completed and like any new project, it is being fine tuned by the engineers to allow it operate as specified. He added that “the ongoing effort to the Lagos Area Control Centre by deploying 120.9MGH was successful as proved by the recent test run of the frequency by both controllers and engineers proved successful.
NAICOM releases guideline on NAC cautions states over banning of motorcycles insurance premium S I OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMO
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uge numbers of outstanding premium reported in the financial statement of insurance companies in the country has increased their credit risk and brought uncertainty in the market as to their capacity to meet their obligations to policyholders and other stakeholders. To avert the situation, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), has released a guideline on Insurance Premium Collection and Remittance to be complied with by insurance operators from January 1, 2013. Fines to the tune of N500, 000 will be paid and may be a ground for suspension of the license of the Insurer. This was revealed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Insurance, Mr. Fola Daniel and made available to journalist yesterday in Lagos. The commissioner stated that as a result of the growing challenges arising from huge levels of outstanding premium reported in the financial statements of insurance companies, the Commission carried out a detailed review of the subject. He disclosed that aside from insurers running high credit risk and uncertainty in the market, other findings show that
the companies have continued to report huge amounts of outstanding premium while at the same time making equally large amounts of provision for bad debts without significant subsequent recoveries of the debts, thereafter. Also, “There are wide disparities between what insurers claim are due from brokers and what the brokers claim are due to insurers. “The Insurance Act 2003 deems premium collected by brokers as having been collected by insurers. Such insurers are therefore presumed to be on cover for all such risks insured. Because insurers are not immediately notified by brokers of the collection of the premiums on their behalf, insurers are nonetheless presumed to be on cover in respect of risk which they have not had the opportunity of documenting and arranging for reinsurance, where relevant. “There are several cases of significant amount of premium that had been paid to insurers but could not be matched against relevant debts due to lack of sufficient information.” Daniel however stated that in consonance with the Insurance Act 2003, there shall be no outstanding premium in the books of any insurer as covers granted on credit is not recognised by the law.
TANLEY HEDIGBO AND OLUFEMI ADEOSUN
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he National Automotive Council (NAC), has kicked against ban of motorcycle in some states of the federation, saying the development is depraving the less privilege Nigerians their right to own and operate affordable means of automobile in the country. It will be recalled that Federal Capital Territory was the first to ban motorcycle movement, followed by states like Rivers, Abia, Imo, Lagos, Plateau, Delta and there are plans by other states to do the same
thing in the nearest future. Speaking at the second annual seminar for Trade and Investment Correspondents and Business Editors, in Abuja, on Tuesday, Director General, Engr. Aminu Jalal, said that the motorcycle ban is not a welcomed development as alternative means are not made available by the government that placed the policy. Adding also that some states where alternative are made available is not enough which resulted people suffering while they can offer motorcycle for their ease movement. He added that the banning of motorcycle in the country is worsening the improvement
of transportation system and discouraging some automobile investors in the country. Meanwhile, the Director General reiterated the commitment of Federal Government to support local automotive industry to start manufacturing vehicles in the next 10 years in the country. According to him, the automotive industry has a considerable indirect economic impact since it impacts not only upon the transport, the movement of people, goods and the flow of services. But most importantly, its manufacturing technology has synergies and is interlinked with other economic sectors.
Subscribers to test applications at mobile money forum KUNLE A ZEEZ
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rganisers of the annual Mobile Money Expo have said existing and prospective subscribers to mobile money services would have the opportunity of interaction with various mobile money applications and the companies offering the services in the third edition of the annual forum. The forum, featuring exhibitions and conferences, which is scheduled to hold in Lagos early next year,delivers two full days of top executives networking, cutting
edge content from dynamic presentations and engaging discussions designed to address developments, challenges, opportunities and success stories within the mobile financial ecosystem in Africa in 2012. The expo which is jointly promoted by Mobile Money Africa and Nigerian communications Media, will be a gathering of influencers in the industry across Africa and beyond, cutting across Mobile Network operator, financial institutions, technology, regulators and other associated players. Organisers said the forum will
add another feature event which will enable subscriber test mobile money applications from different providers during the two day event. They said the during the 2013 Edition of the Mobile Money Expo, mobile money operators will share experiences in all domain areas of mobile financial services covering regulation, technology, application, marketing, customer relationships, agency network and other innovative practices that will improve adoption of mobile financial services for shopping, remittances, micro finance, social payments and others.