Mobilizing Science-Based Enterprises for Energy, Water, and Medicines in Nigeria (2007) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
4 Meeting Needs
4 Meeting Needs
Pages 55-62
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From page 55... ...
The same is true of municipal piped water. Technical difficulties compound the problem; poor infrastructure causes intermittent and low-quality energy and water supplies, blackouts, and contaminated water, even in big cities.
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From page 56... ...
The strategy of private companies providing public goods and services, which is the subject of this report, has a role for governments, donors, NGOs, and, of course, private businesses. For governments, rather than attempting to provide commodities or services directly to needy communities and families, their policies should be aimed at encouraging private companies to fill these needs while making a profit (sometimes called "doing well by doing good")
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From page 57... ...
availability of the skilled labor needed to run the business An antimotivational factor for responsible companies would be an arrangement in which the government contracts directly with companies for products and services to be delivered to consumers or laws that require compliance by consumers, such as displays of solar collectors on roofs. The first motivational point is most likely satisfied by the huge potential market of households who are served intermittently or not at all by the electricity grid, who do not have safe drinking water, or who suffer from frequent bouts of malaria.
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From page 58... ...
Experience in other countries with properly trained home extension agents in rural areas demonstrated that they could detect health risks and encourage solutions, while training families in the need for and use of filtered water or home solar systems. Legislation encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, in general, perhaps with tax benefits, would encourage the use of solar home systems.
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From page 59... ...
The economics and financing of such a venture deserve considerable analysis and scrutiny, not only by the private sector actors that might be involved, but also by government, possibly academic researchers, and possibly the Nigerian Academy of Science. Understanding the full economic implications of starting ACT production will be vital to a sound enterprise.
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From page 60... ...
Finally, a program of public education in the schools on the avoidance and control of malaria should be cost-effective and successful, as similar programs on HIV/AIDS and smoking have been in other places. The government could also take the following specific actions to encourage ACT production: • providing waivers on duties on imported equipment, raw materials, solvents, and other materials involved in ACT production • enforcing a ban on artemisinin monotherapies • assisting in training and research on the agronomy of artemisia and best ACT formulations for Nigeria • arranging media advertisements to promote effective malaria therapy and completion of courses of treatment • passing legislation to require the distribution and use of ACTs at all government clinics, hospitals, and agencies 1 PLOS Medicine 3(June 2006)
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From page 61... ...
The demand for imported solar cells, UV filter units, and solvent extraction plants for artemisinin would have a large impact on the present world market for these products, and Nigerian companies and local subsidiaries of international companies would emerge to capture some of that market. Because the science-based solutions in this study are complex technological products for which global competition has not been great thus far and which are not presently manufactured or used in Nigeria, there will be an ample opportunity -- and even necessity -- for innovation, if only to avoid patents.
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From page 62... ...
The tools of information technology should be deployed to optimize collaboration and productivity in the research effort that will accompany the strategy proposed here.
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