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France recognises Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara

By Mufutau Ojo

In a significant development in foreign relations, French President Emmanuel Macron has recognised Western Sahara within the framework of Morocco ‘s sovereignty.

 

The Moroccan news agency, MAP, reports that Macron gave this indication in a message to King Mohammed VI on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Throne Day.

 

Macron, according to the message ”considers that the present and future of Western Sahara lie within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.”

 

Details of the message, MAP said , was made available by the Royal Office in a statement on Tuesday.

 

A dispute, dating back to 1975, pits Morocco, which considers Western Sahara its own territory, against the Algeria-backed Polisario Front, which seeks an independent state there.

 

France, as the former colonial power in the region, has walked a diplomatic tightrope between Rabat and Algiers on the issue.

 

Most of France’s Western allies already back Morocco’s plan.

 

The French president reaffirmed “the unwavering position of France on this issue of national security for the Kingdom.”

 

He declared that his country “intends to act in alignment with this position both nationally and internationally.

 

” For France, autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the framework within which this issue shall be resolved.

 

” Our support for the autonomy plan proposed by Morocco in 2007 is clear and unwavering.”

 

Macron added that the plan “constitutes now the only basis to achieve a just, lasting, and negotiated political solution, in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions.”

 

“ Today, an increasingly broad international consensus is emerging,” the French president also said.

 

” France fully plays its part in all relevant fora.

 

“It is time to move forward. I therefore encourage all parties to come together for a political settlement, which is within reach,” Macron said.

 

Commending Morocco’s efforts to promote the economic and social development of the Moroccan Sahara, the French president committed to ensuring that “France will support Morocco in this endeavor for the benefit of the local populations.”

 

This announcement from France, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, marks an important and significant step in supporting Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara. (MAP/NAN)

Economy/Business

NERC to review Meter Asset Provider initiative

By Constance Athekame

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it is in the process of reviewing the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) Regulation 2018 to fast-track closure of the existing metering gap.

NERC said this in a “Consultation Paper on the Review of Meter Asset Provider Regulations 2018’’, on its website on Tuesday signed by its Chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that MAP was introduced by NERC as a regulatory initiative to fast-track the closure of the metering gap with the objective of eliminating estimated billing practices.

“Attracting private investment in the provision of metering services, enhancing revenue assurance in Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) and promoting local meter manufacturing in Nigeria to ensure transparency in the meter roll-out.

It said that the purpose of the consultation paper was to review the various options to fast-track the closure of the metering gap within the implementation framework of the MAP regulations.

It said the consultation paper would also close the gap between MAP and the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) and would consider the merits and demerits of each option.

The commission said the consultation paper was structured into two broad areas: proposed options for metering implementation going forward: “To allow the implementation of both the NMMP and MAP metering frameworks to run concurrently.

“To continue with the current MAP framework with meters procured under the NMMP supplied only through MAPs by being off-takers from the local manufacturers/assemblers.

“To wind down the MAP framework and allow the DisCos to procure meters directly from local manufacturers/assemblers or as procured by the World Bank.

“ And enter into new contracts for the installation and maintenance of such meters,” it said.

NERC said that under all three options, the DisCos would continue to be accountable for metering as this remained a core responsibility of utilities.

NERC said that the commission would take into consideration, responses to this document and other points or issues that might be raised by stakeholders in reaching a final decision on amendments to be made to the MAP Regulations 2018.

The commission said that it had prepared the document to facilitate an open consultation as possible and had provided the merits and demerits of the proposed changes as well as the potential impact of the changes on the MAP Regulations 2018.

“Therefore, in accordance with the Business Rule of the commission, stakeholders are expected to provide comments, objections and representations on the proposed amendments within 21-days of this publication.

“Respondents may propose either a modification or an alternative to the proposals, assumptions, and expectations expressed by NERC for further consideration by the commission, ‘’ said the commission.

According to NERC, there will be a virtual public hearing on the proposed review at the expiration of the response period.

It said that at the end of the consultation process, the commission would publish its decision on the proposed amendments to the MAP Regulations 2018.

It said that all reactions, comments, and further enquiries should be sent for consideration by the commission via info@nerc.gov.ng and copy mapreview2021@nerc.gov.ng (NAN)