The Kwara State Chamber of Commerce and lndustry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA), on Tuesday appealed to the government to assist in addressing challenges confronting industries and businesses in the state.
Addressing a press conference on the hosting of the annual general meeting/ conference of the Nigerian of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ( NACCIMA ) coming up in llorin on the may 25-27,2022; Olalekan Fatai Ayodimeji, KWACClMA president identified issues affecting the group to include; increase in the price of raw materials, multiple taxes and levies, hike in the cost of diesel among others.
“We appeal to the state government to intervene in some of the issues, particularly in the areas of multiple taxation/ levies by harmonizing them,” he said.
Ayodimeji, however, noted that the constraints ported negative economic consequences for Nigeria, adding that the nation’s debt-driven economy shows that the current levels of debt service payment are very high and becoming unsustainable. He stressed that the debt GPP ratio which stood at 34 percent and debt: revenue nearing 86 percent required proactive ways to shore up revenue earnings.
The KWACCIMA boss, equally suggested the introduction of Certificate of origin (CoO) for crude oil export to check oil theft, widening of tax net instead of introducing new taxes, deliberate reduction in government costs, leveraging investment through public-private partnerships and National assets register to know which assets can be disposed off to earn income among others. On the border closure, Ayodimeji appealed to the federal government to consider the opening of chikanda and Babara borders in kwara and Niger states so as to promote trade along those corridors to promote the economic activities of the area due to the economic challenges facing the people.
He lauded the state governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for maintaining harmonious relationship between the government and the private sector as he urged him to increase the tempo of providing infrastructural facilities for economic growth of the state.
Ayodimeji also advised the state government to create an industrial park in major cities in the state to facilitate growth of industries, permanent trade Fairground to showcase the potential of the state to attract investors and create a forum for senior government officials to present plans and policies to business leaders on economic development.
Among other measures recommended were; energizing of MDAs relevant to activities of the business, that is, Bureau of MSME, KWASSlP, Ministry of business, innovation and technology ,Ministry of Agriculture and ministry of solid minerals.
Sikirat Shehu, Ilorin