NECA applauds improvement in doing business rating
The federal government’s reforms have been applauded by the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), which it says has reflected in improvement in the country’s ranking in the World Bank Doing Business 2020 Report.
NECA which said this through its Director-General of NECA, Mr. Timothy Olawale in Abuja highlighted some of the reforms embarked on by the country that contributed to the leapfrog in the country’s ratings.
Among other things, it include, efforts of the Corporate Affairs Commissions (CAC) in the new electronic platform for registering businesses and linking the platform with that of Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for instant generation of Tax Clearance Certificate number (TCC). It also reduces human interface within the system; improvement in the land administration processes, enhances transparency and digitalization of the process; connectivity to electricity was noted as areas of improvement, most especially the collaboration with the vendors (certified engineers) for connecting new subscribers; reforms in the commercial litigation of smaller cases are now more efficient by introducing pre-trial conferences and lastly, the Nigeria Customs Services (NSC) integration of more agencies into its electronic data interchange system and port authorities launch of e-payment system, which aid in speeding up both exports and imports.
“That the country earned a place among the year’s top global improvers alongside Togo, according to the World Bank Group’s Doing Business study, moving from 146 position in 2019 among 190 economies by 15 places to rank 131,” Olawale stated.
Having applauded the reforms and improvement in the ranking, the NECA Boss reiterated “that while we note and commend the efforts of the FG in promoting Ease of Doing Business (EODB), the harsh realities remain that the operating environment is still bedevilled with huge contradictions. While the FG is making efforts to ease the pains of businesses, some of its regulatory agencies are doing the direct opposite. The Agencies’ actions, sometimes bothering on illegality and blatant disregard for Court pronouncements are stifling the environment making it inhospitable for businesses to operate”.
He advised that “government should beware of destroying businesses through imposition of more taxes, invasion of company’s premises to collect taxes even when there are pending litigation, respect for due process and the rule of law, among others. Government should ensure that the new rating translates into development in the country. Facilitate passage of pending Bills that would have positive effect of Doing Business, critical attention should be paid to infrastructures ie roads, etc, Electricity/power, etc.”
Contact us today for your events coverage, breaking news and advert placement; Email: espinewsng@gmail.com or call on 08032519246.
