PMAN explores new distribution framework, membership portal

In a bid to ensure that men and women in the creative sector of the economy enjoys the fruit of their labour, the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) has formed an alliance with Lafrique Promedia Limited, with the backing of the Lagos State Government, to compel public users of music to pay royalties to members through the association.

Lafrique Promedia Limited will also act as technical consultant to provide comprehensive technical advice and other relevant support services to PMAN.

The Lagos State government is also backing the sector to address some of the challenges and also help in strengthening and accelerating the technical ability and operational experience of PMAN to conduct activities within its established objectives, duties and obligations.

Speaking at the unveiling of accounting and distribution framework and membership baseline data registration portal for the creative industry at the National Theatre, Orile, Iganmu, Lagos, PMAN president, Comrade Obi Okwudili Casmir, said the move is aimed at addressing lack of accurate baseline data of practitioners in the industry in Nigeria this challenge.

“We have created a baseline data registration portal named Entertainment9ja (E-9ja). The portal is expected to generate comprehensive baseline data and information of practitioners in the creative industry in Nigeria. This is in line with the provisions of Article 3(m) of the Constitution of PMAN 2006. The data generated will facilitate decision making by government and the organized private sector in the area of investment, funding, innovation, value addition, policy and advisory services for the Nigerian creative industry.

“A coherent business strategy that guarantee returns on investment for the content owners, we have also endorsed the implementation of the Lafrique Promedia accounting and distribution framework for the overall interest of the Nigerian creative industry. The framework was designed in line with the directives of the Nigerian Inter Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). This framework is aimed at putting in place a transparent, accountable and traceable worldwide ecosystem for the identification and distribution of creative content across all dissemination platforms which will guarantee return on investment (RoI) for the content owners.”

He continued: “On the inability to track the owners and the users of creative content across all platforms, we have engaged Lafrique Promedia Limited as the exclusive aggregator for the sale and distribution of creative content across all platforms. This is in line with the provision of Article 3 [c] constitution of PMAN 2006, as amended. By this appointment Lafrique Promedia Limited is saddled with the responsibility to control and aggregate the usage of creative content or musical works in the interest of Nigerian creative industry.”

On his part, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Bamidele Balogun said, “We encourage all practitioners and stakeholders henceforth, to register all audio and visual content produced and sold within the Lagos state within the next thirty days and such attract the payment of five per cent levy on each item. This exercise will, however, assist the Lagos State government in policy formulation and implementation with regards to planning and funding for the sector. I believe that the sector will take this as a priority because without it, the government cannot show any commitment to the sector. We are helping the sector and we want members of the creative industry to help themselves by doing the needful.”