Business
NASCON Reports 84% Growth in PAT
NASCON Allied Industries Plc turned in an impressive growth in all performance indicators in the year ended December 31, 2022, with profit after tax surging by 84 percent, from N2.97 billion to N5.47 billion.
The company’s shareholders consequently gave kudos to the management, at the 2022 annual general meeting (AGM) at the weekend in Lagos.
Analysis of the food seasoning company’s annual report indicated that profit before tax rose significantly by 98 percent, from N4.24 billion to N8.37 billion, representing an increase of N4.12 billion. Turnover was on the upswing, increasing from N33.28 billion to N58.79 billion, a 77 percent increase compared to 2021.
Earnings per share also increased to 206 kobo in 2022 in contrast to 112 kobo in 2021. A total of N2.65 billion is to be paid as dividend compared to N1.06 billion in 2021.
A shareholder, Tunde Badmus, applauded the management for the impressive performance and efficient running of the company, amid harsh economic environment. Badmus appreciated the company for the dividend declared despite what he described as the challenging operating environment.
In the same vein, former National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Anthony Omojola, lauded the board and management of NASCON for improved performance and declaration of dividend. Omojola said that the company had remained consistent in dividend payment over the years.
He, however, urged the company to work with registrars and investors relations department to tackle the rising unclaimed dividends in the market.
The shareholders approved a dividend payment of N1 per 50k share, totalling N2.65 billion as recommended by the board. This was in contrast with N1.06 billion or 40k per share declared in the comparative period of 2021.
According to Chairman, NASCON, ‘Yemisi Ayeni, the company reduced greenhouse gas emissions by five per cent during the accounting period.
Ayeni said the company implemented waste reduction programmes and achieved a 28 percent reduction in hazards and non-hazardous waste generated.
She said, “We have strengthened our relationships with our employees, customers, suppliers, and communities and supported initiatives that promote social well-being.
Acting Managing Director, NASCON, Thabo Mabe, pointed at insecurity, congested ports and poor road infrastructure, unstable power supply along with employee emigration, traffic gridlock and foreign exchange issues as factors which constituted challenges of doing business in 2022.
Mabe expressed optimism that “2023 will involve capitalisation on our gains, leading to greater productive efficiency and enhanced resource utilisation in spite of the challenges in 2022.”
On future plans, he said that the company would continue to embrace strategies that would boost its market share. “Our core competence in our business is to refine crude salt for both human and animal consumption. This is an area that we have focused our business to attain leading customer service standards. Our plan for future growth is to continue to develop these markets and drive cost savings within the business, as input costs skyrockets.
“Nigeria is blessed with a huge consumer base and opportunities; we will be part of these opportunities and contribute our quota to power eradication,” he said.
The National Salt Company of Nigeria was established as a salt refinery at Ijoko, Ogun State in 1973, as a joint venture between the Federal Military Government of Nigeria and Atlantic Salt & Chemical Inc. of Los Angeles, California, USA.
The Company was privatised in 1991 with its shares listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in October 1992, through which Dangote Industries Limited purchased majority shares. Following the reverse takeover of NASCON by Dangote Salt Limited (DSL) in 2007, NASCON acquired the assets, liabilities, and business undertakings of DSL.
Principal activities of the company include processing raw salt into refined, edible, and industrial salt. NASCON is also into the production of seasoning and vegetable oil.
Following the marginal reduction of the pump prices of premium motor spirit (PMS) by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Nigerian National Petrol Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), civil society groups have reacted by calling for further downward review.
Recall that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery had announced a partnership with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, while it reviewed the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
The move, saw state oil major, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company peg its retail prices at N965/litre.
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However, the civil society groups are of the opinion that the price reduction, fall short of expectations.
According to the Chairman, Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, Debo Adeniran, the reduced price of N935/litre was still expensive and unsatisfactory.
He pointed out that petrol was just one of the products coming out of crude and that both government and private business could still give out free petrol to citizens while making huge profits from the other products.
In his words, “Well, we believe that if NNPC and the private sector actually give out PMS for free, they will still not run their business at a loss, because the other derivatives of petroleum products can still serve them, and can still make them to break even. So, even at that N900 and something, it’s still expensive.
“Dangote has kind of mooted the idea that it could drop to as low as N650. And if he has mulled this, then it means that it is the state, it is the NNPC that will have been the clog in the wheel of such progress. And you know also that we expected that fuel prices, especially PMS prices, will drop below N200 when Dangote was expected to come on stream.
“So, it’s unfortunate that we are still talking about over N900 and they want us to jump up and rejoice for that. That is not satisfactory. They should just let us see the breakdown of their production cost and why it’s still there. I mean, there are countries like Libya under Gaddafi that gave out PMS for free and they didn’t run anything at any loss. So, I believe that it can still go further down.”
On his part, the Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Ibrahim Rafsanjani, commended the reduction of fuel prices by the NNPC and Dangote, but said the government could still reduce the price.
“Dangote’s own is about N899 or something like that. Well first and foremost, we are happy that there is a little reduction in the prices. But also based on analysis and based on facts and evidences, we believe that it is possible for the Nigerian government to further reduce the prices.
“Because if a private company can reduce the price and it still makes profit, we wonder why government-owned enterprises cannot really pity its citizens,” he said.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a significant growth in the country’s economy, with a 3.46% increase in gross domestic product (GDP) in the third quarter of 2024.
This marks the third consecutive quarter of expansion, up from 3.19% in Q2 2024 and 2.54% in Q3 2023.
According to the newly published Q3 economic report, Nigeria’s GDP output rose to ₦20.115 trillion, reflecting a notable improvement from ₦18.285 trillion in the previous quarter.
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The CBN attributed this growth primarily to the performance of the non-oil sector, which grew by 3.37% compared to 2.80% in Q2 2024.
The report highlighted transportation, crop production, and other sub-sectors such as financial & insurance services, information & communication, trade, and real estate as major contributors to the expansion.
The non-oil sector accounted for 3.18 percentage points of the total growth rate.
“The expansion of the non-oil sector was driven by the performance of the financial & insurance, information & communication, crop production, trade, transportation & storage, and real estate sub-sectors,” the report stated.
Despite the economic growth, challenges persist. Inflation, particularly in food prices, remains a significant concern, standing at 39.93% as of November 2024.
Rising food and energy costs have also impacted transportation expenses, with intercity bus fares increasing by 20.23% year-on-year to ₦7,117.17 in July 2024, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
Furthermore, the cost of petroleum, now exceeding ₦1,000 per litre, has driven up logistics and transportation expenses, adding pressure to households and businesses alike.
The CBN acknowledged these challenges, noting that the growth was achieved despite headwinds such as high inflation and rising operational costs.
Enhanced security measures in the Niger Delta have boosted domestic crude oil production, while restrictive monetary policies have helped moderate inflation in some areas.
“The growth recorded in the country is a result of continued efforts to improve the business environment, streamline cumbersome business processes, and deepen the quality of business infrastructure,” the CBN noted.
However, the report comes amid concerns over businesses exiting Nigeria due to persistent economic challenges.
Asharami Synergy, a leading downstream energy solutions provider, has demonstrated its commitment to community development and education by donating essential furniture to Gaskiya Junior School in Ijora, Lagos, Nigeria.
Biztellers reports that the social responsibility initiative was executed in collaboration with Sahara Group Foundation – the social impact vehicle of global energy conglomerate, Sahara Group.
It was gathered that the initiative is part of Asharami Synergy’s ongoing efforts to support education in communities.
The donation includes classroom desks and chairs for the JSS1 classes.
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CEO of Asharami Synergy, Nomnso Dike, said the project will create a more comfortable and functional learning environment and enhance student performance.
“We are delighted at the opportunity to support the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, which focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education. It has been a privilege to collaborate with the management and students of Gaskiya Junior School to deliver this project, and we look forward to future opportunities to enhance academic performance in this historic institution,” Dike said.
According to him, Asharami Synergy’s education-focused social impact initiatives have benefitted over 10,000 individuals. They focus on building capacity and providing the resources necessary to help students learn and grow sustainably.
“Education is the foundation of a brighter future, and at Asharami Synergy, we believe that every child deserves a learning environment that inspires and empowers them” he noted, adding, “This donation is not just about providing furniture; it’s a reminder to the students that their dreams are valid, and we are committed to helping them achieve their goals.”
Vice Principal Academic of Gaskiya Junior School, Sola Oladokun, commended Asharami Synergy for the donation, noting that it would inspire students to perform better with “increased concentration and fewer distractions”.
“These desks and chairs are a game-changer for our students. It’s heartwarming to see their excitement, and as teachers, we are equally thrilled because this will make teaching and learning more effective. We are incredibly grateful to Asharami Synergy and Sahara Group Foundation for this thoughtful intervention,” she added.
Two representatives of the students, Akin Moses and Chukwudi Gift, at the event said the donation would increase their “desire to dream bigger and concentrate better during lessons”.
Also speaking at the commissioning, COO at Asharami Synergy, Adekanmi Adesola, said, “What started as an opportunity to support the communities that host our operations has now come full circle. This donation directly impacts the lives of these students, and we are proud to bring smiles to the faces of the students and teachers.”
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