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We’re Not Here To Take Over Jobs Of PSPs – Visionscape

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The environmental utility group contracted by the Lagos State Government as part of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative (CLI),Visionscape Sanitation Solutions, says its mission in the state is not to take over the means of livelihood of Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators in waste management.

Visionscape’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Irvine, in an interview with newsmen, said contrary to misconceptions, the company was only in Lagos to contribute to the vision to achieve an environmentally sustainable state working with all critical stakeholders.

He said so far, the company has intensified efforts on provision of infrastructure that would assist in proper waste management in line with global best practices, while a deal had been reached with over 300 PSPs now to be known as Waste Collection Operators (WCOs) to collect waste from residential areas across the state.

According to Irvine, “New York for instance has 19 million residents about four million less of Lagos population and New York has between 50 and 60 Transfer Loading Stations. What we are committed to do as part of enhancing our work within the CLI is to build safer, bigger and more concise infrastructure.

“While we are doing that, the WCOs will come back into the system and basically, that is what the agreement is all about. Visionscape is an international company and many WCOs were not happy when we came but like I have said before, we are not here to take anybody’s livelihood or jobs away and the events of the last few days have shown that as a company we want to work with everybody not just our own group of companies.”

He said it was unfortunate that some PSPs refused to be part of the deal, but that it was gratifying that a good number had agreed and have started working to clear the state of filth.

“I think there have been some misconceptions on the deal we have reached on the waste management situation in the state. Over the last few days, my management team has met with each WCO in the clusters and areas they work and work has resumed. All the major stakeholders within the CLI – the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Justice, WCOs are happy but the only issue is that we have taken too long to get here.

“We understand that there are some WCOs resisting to come round the table; I cannot do anything about that. If there are over 300 companies willing to work with us, we must be doing something right but as it stands today, status quo has been returned to allow us concentrate on the bigger mandate and fast-tracking what is really needed which is infrastructure, safe landfills, safe transfer loading stations, safe waste depots to ensure that when waste is generated, it is looked after and not just dumped in black spots,” Irvine said.

He said at the moment, Visionscape was putting structures in place to ensure a coherent and transparent collection system, and urged Lagosians to exercise patience, adding that the positive results would be felt in coming days.

Besides, Irvine debunked insinuation that the company was planning to take over commercial waste collection, saying there was nothing of such.

“Now, all the WCOs handle collection of commercial and residential waste; Visionscape is responsible for one Engineered Landfill which is in Epe. Any PSP can come there and dump be it commercial, residential we don’t care. At the end of the day, garbage is going to a safe environment and we are happy.

“One thing I need to make crystal clear is that Visionscape has no responsibility or ambition to take any commercial or industrial waste collection services. We are here primarily with a focus for ten years for residential door-to-door collection and subsequent processing of the waste from transportation to what we call diversification (recycling) and final disposal. We have no ambition to take over commercial waste,” Irvine said.

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Organiser unveils speakers, panelists for the 2024 Industry Summit

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The organiser of the Industry Summit, an annual gathering for professionals and experts in brand marketing, finance, sustainability, and entertainment, has announced the speakers for the fifth edition of the summit in Lagos.

 

 

 

The event themed: Sustainable Marketing for Growth would feature the marketing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi as keynote speaker while the head of unit, sustainability at Access Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan and manager brand, strategy & communications at Stanbic IBTC, Ms. Rita Akao would feature as guest speakers.

 

 

 

The summit, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at the Marcelina’s Place Ikeja GRA, Lagos would feature some exhilarating panel sessions with some of the contemporary professionals in the Nigerian brand and marketing industry.

 

 

 

The panelists include; Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZWILMAR, Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC, Mr. Kevin Olumese, Marketing Communications Specialist, and Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria.

 

 

 

Others who have confirmed participation are Ms. Aisha Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group, Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatosin Odiagbe, Marketing Manager, Simba Solar and Ms. Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax.

 

 

 

While Oriakhi would be speaking to the topic, ““New Age Marketing – Catalyzing Transformation Through Value Chain Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan and Akao would present papers on the topics; “Aligning organizational objectives with sustainable marketing for the good of the people, society and business, and “Reimagining Sustainable Growth Through Green Marketing” respectively.

 

 

 

In the press statement signed by the Publisher of The Industry Newspaper/Convener of The Industry Summit/Awards (TIES), Mr. Goddie Ofose, he said that “The 5th edition of the Industry Summit is focusing on sustainable marketing, which is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.”

 

 

 

“In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success” he said.

 

 

 

Therefore, we have carefully selected these professionals and experts to deliberate on the subject matter, highlight challenges and proffer solutions where private and public sectors could take lessons from and improve upon whatever they have been doing,’ Ofose added.

 

 

 

The Industry Summit/Awards is a brainchild of The Industry Newspaper Limited, publishers of The Industry Newspaper (theindustry.ng) and 789marketing.ng.

 

 

 

The summit is designed to bring together industry leaders across the continent in all sectors in the quest to rev up conversations that will move the Nigeria business, economy and communication industry forward.

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IBEDC records 1,459 energy theft cases in January, February

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The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it has recorded 1,459 cases of energy theft by its subscribers between January and February 2024.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the firm’s Chief Key Accounts Officer, Mr. Johnson Tinuoye, on Tuesday.

IBEDC added that it is actively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and businesses involved in the theft in collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences.

Identifying the cases, IBEDC said they included various offences such as meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, which resulted in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.

The statement read, “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated. Our collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences underscores our commitment to ensuring a fair and just electricity distribution system.

“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers.”

Tinuoye emphasised that under the Electricity Act, energy theft is now recognised as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment stressing, “In the Osun region, two individuals were apprehended for stealing energy through meter bypass and illegal connections. Their cases have been formally charged in court for prosecution.”

IBEDC further urged customers to refrain from engaging in any form of energy theft, emphasising that the consequences can be severe, as there is no room for negotiation with the SIPTEO Task Force team, which is actively patrolling and investigating instances of energy theft for prosecution.

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Copyright Breach: NCC Drags MTN, Others To Court Over Musician’s Works

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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four others over alleged copyright infringement.

The charge with number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 filed in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was obtained by journalists on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the four other defendants in the case include the chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd.; and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed the musical works of an artiste, Maleke Idowu Moye, without his consent and authorisation.

The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Mr Maleke with subsisting copyright as caller ringback tunes without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musician’s musical works and sound recordings allegedly infringed upon included 911, Minimini-wanawana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.

The defendants were also alleged to have distributed the musical works to their subscribers without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged to have in their possession, other than for their private or domestic use, the artiste’s musical works and sound recordings.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case has yet to be assigned to any judge, and no date has been fixed for the mention.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been released by any of the defendants as at the time of filing this report, while all efforts to get reactions from MTN by New Telegraph proved abortive.

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