Multiverse forecasts N39.5 million profit in Q1 2021
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Business News
Tariffs may rise up, as FG prepares to invest $4.7 billion in power sector
The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria in partnership with other private investors are set to jointly raise $4.7 billion aimed at recapitalizing the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) and upgrade power distribution equipment in the country.
The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria in partnership with some private investors are set to jointly raise $4.7 billion to recapitalise the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) as well as upgrade power distribution equipment in the country.
The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Dr. Usman Gur Mohammed, disclosed this on Monday, in Abuja. According to Mohammed, the Federal Government is ready to inject $1.7 billion into the DisCos, while the private investors will pay up the balance that is proportional to their 60 percent equity in the companies.
“What we are saying is that to correct this thing, we have to recapitalize the DisCos. The recapitalization requires $4.7 billion, which means they have to bring the balance ($3 billion). What we are saying is that the government cannot be passive anymore… Government ownership should be represented by four directors just like proportional to the investment.
“Government should bring its own 40 percent capital. We have simulated the grid to examine the investment requirement by the DisCos. And we have come to $4.7 billion. Government is going to bring its 40 percent of $4.7 billion which is about $1.7billion.”
More Details: After the privatisation of the 11 Discos of the Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in 2013, the Federal Government retained 40 percent of the equity in the DisCos and divested 60 percent to private investors.
As a result, the power sector recapitalisation framework requires each of the DisCos to raise $500 million. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on the other hand is expected to make a declaration that all the procurement processes for the equipment shall be competitive.
Speaking further about the plan to recapitalise the power sector, Mohammed disclosed that the Federal Government has concluded plans on the investment portfolio to rescue the ailing power sector.
“This money can be raised. The government was about to collect $1 billion from the Word Bank for DisCos to finance the capitalization of the DisCos. AfD and others are talking about another $1billion for distribution expansion.
“NERC should do a regulation consistent with the declaration of ECOWAS directive that all procurement of DisCos and transmission should be done competitively so that this money that will come in, and it will not be squandered by people giving contracts to their cousins and wives.”
Tariffs may increase: In the meantime, Nigerians should brace up as electricity tariffs may skyrocket following the recapitalization process. According to the TCN boss, the private sector investors would not raise loans from commercial banks. As a result, they would need to earn their returns on investment by hiking tariffs.
“Private investors would not raise their loans from commercial banks, this money has a repayment period of about 20 years and a moratorium period of about five years. So, they (private investors) should bring the same type of money.”
“Tariff may go up as a result of the fact that there is going to be repayment of those capital and also payment of interest.”
Companies
Multiverse forecasts N39.5 million profit in Q1 2021
The management of Multiverse Plc has projected a revenue of N76 million and a profit of N39.5 million in Q1 2021.
Multiverse Mining and Exploration Plc has projected that in the first quarter of 2021, the mining and exploration company will generate N76 million in revenue, and post a profit of N39.5 million.
These projections were made by the company in a recent earnings forecast issued by the Management, and signed by the Corporate Secretaries of the company.
Key highlights of the earnings forecast for Q1 2021
- Total revenue is projected at N76 million.
- Turnover from agency sale is projected at N1 million.
- Agency cost is s projected at N850 thousand.
- Total expenses are projected at N7.8 million.
- Operating Profit is projected at N67.3 million.
- EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxation) is projected at N67.3 million.
- Interest Expense is projected at N27.8 million.
- Profit after tax is projected at N39.5 million.
Key assumptions made to support the earnings forecast and projection of the company
The earnings forecast was made on the ground that there won’t be any significant change in the economic policies of the Federal Government, while the monetary policies of the CBN would not be altered significantly.
The company also maintained that there would not be any industrial unrest that would affect its production and sales volume, while the profit of the company would not be pressured by rising costs of inputs, as prices of materials used in production shall be stable in the period under review.
Companies
GCR affirms Dangote Cement issuer ratings of AA+(NG) and A1+(NG)
Global Credit Ratings has affirmed Dangote Cement issuer ratings of AA+(NG) and A1+(NG).
Coronavirus
Governor Sanwo-Olu says 24,000 students yet to resume in public schools
24,000 students in public schools are yet to return back after the reopening of schools, according to Governor Sanwo-Olu.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed that about 24,000 students in public schools are yet to come back after the reopening of schools following last year’s lockdown necessitated by the first wave of Covid-19 across the country.
This is as the governor said that resumption of school activities Monday, January 20, 2021, was a difficult decision to make in light of the second wave of Covid-19.
This disclosure was made by the governor while peaking during a press conference on Covid-19 update at the Lagos House, Ikeja on Tuesday.
Sanwo-Olu assured that it was the best decision for the children’s safety and long-term development, especially the most vulnerable ones.
What the Lagos State Governor is saying
Sanwo-Olu in his statement said, “Last year after the first lockdown and kids have to come back to school, we are still looking for about 24,000 of them that have not come back to school. So, there is a challenge if you keep them out for that long and their parents or guardians now turn them to other things instead of ensuring that they have time to come back for learning even if it is twice or thrice a week.
“At least they have been registered since the beginning of a session and they can be monitored. If not, they will just be roaming the streets and become endangered. We have seen incidents of child abuse and all unprintable things that are being done to these children. So, we believe to a large extent that schools sometimes happen to be the safe haven for them. We have done the roster in which we ensure they keep social distance and we are monitoring,” he said.
What you should know
- It can be recalled that public and private schools below the tertiary level in Lagos State, On Monday, January 18, 2021, reopened for academic activities despite opposition from some stakeholders due to the second wave of coronavirus pandemic in the state.
- Following the surge in the number of infections in the state, which is the epicentre of the disease in the country, there were complaints about the state of preparedness of the schools, especially the public ones, in adhering to the strict Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.
