₦airaland Forum

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

WHY WE NEED TO RETHINK HOW SMALL BUSINESSES ARE REGULATED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY – BY OSINBAJO

*VP wants an end to “all manner of constraints”

*Asks businesses to call out govt officials making things difficult for people

At different levels of government, there is a need to take a second look at the regulation of small businesses with a view to addressing peculiar challenges they face in order to further promote private sector contribution to the country’s economic development.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo made the observation in Abuja Monday at the commissioning of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Trade & Convention Centre.

According to the Vice President, “with respect to government policy, of course, you are aware that the government’s position is that we must continue, on an incremental basis, to provide for ourselves, a properly enabling business environment in every respect which is why we have Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) which focuses on trying to improve on the business environment.”

Prof. Osinbajo said “but I think that one of the drawbacks that we have had in improving the business environment is really with respect to how we regulate small businesses. So, for example in Abuja, I hear very frequently, small businesses who talk about the kind of problems that they experience, either with fumigation licenses, or one license or the other. All manner of constraints, which ideally should not occur.”

Citing a presidential directive on improving the business environment in the country, the Vice President said, “the private sector must work, very actively with us, in ensuring that we are policemen and women of the regulations.”

Prof. Osinbajo explained that “a time has come for us to have a Chamber of Commerce, paying attention to all that is going on in the MSMEs space especially with respect to regulation. You must call out government officials who are making it difficult for people to do business.

“If you recall, the President himself said that there is no way the private sector and business can thrive if government officials see themselves as roadblocks and hindrances as opposed to facilitators. Every government regulator must be a facilitator of business that is the way forward. We cannot afford a situation where government regulators see themselves as policemen only, they must be facilitators of things.”

The Vice President noted that “I know that the Minister of the FCT is actively working with the PEBEC and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, have all been concerned about making this work. But Abuja is just one example of how generally speaking, all over the country, we need to take a second look at how we regulate small businesses.”

Speaking on the impact the Buhari administration’s pro-business finance initiatives, the Vice President said “as part of government policy, we have already more or less removed some of the major taxes. For Corporation taxes, if your turnover is under N25 million, your tax is zero. And we have reduced incrementally all the way up. So, with respect to Corporation taxes, at least, we know that we are doing quite well.

“If you look at the proposed Finance Act, there are several incentives for small businesses,” the Vice President added.

On the significance of the Convention Centre, the Vice President said “I was quite shocked frankly to see that such an incredibly sized building could have been done purely by voluntary private sector effort. This is why, in my opinion, this is a very important event because it underscores the strength and dynamism of our private sector which is a crucial component of economic development.”

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “as a matter of fact, I think that we are all generally, in agreement that there are at least three trends that will determine our economic development. The first, of course, is government policy, the second is private sector investment, and the third is that part of private sector which is the SMEs sector. I think that those three will definitely determine the way that our economic development trajectory proceeds in this country.”

Earlier in his remark, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo assured the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) of his ministry’s support in growing businesses in Nigeria.

On his part, President of ACCI, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode said the Convention Centre will serve as a place for the promotion of Nigerian businesses and the empowerment of the youths.

The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry was established in 1986 with the principal objective of promoting economic and industrial development within the FCT in particular and Nigeria in general.


Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
14th December 2020

This is a good news and it will help many tenants and the low income earners to have home of their own

The programme has one, two, and three-bedroom units that will be sold at low prices. The 1-bedroom unit will cost as little as between N1.8miliion to N2million, while financial assistance would be available for Nigerians to pay the mortgage.

By Moses Ojime, Adegwu John |

The Rule of Law and Anti Corruption (RoLAC) programme of British Council, funded by European Union has called for an effective justice system that would end sexual assault and gender base violence.

The national programme manager of RoLAC, Mr. Danladi Plang, made this call yesterday at the Network Conference of the Sexual Assaults Referral Centers (SARCs) and International Human Rights Day held in Abuja.

He said rape victims most times do not want to report rape cases to security personnel, as they often are ridiculed by the society, resulting to underreporting of sexual assault cases.

He cited the cases limiting the number of victims who seek help for sexual assault include fear of persecution, lack of prosecution of offenders, underreporting of cases and the culture of stigma on victims.
According to him, there are many gaps but one of the key solutions is to ensure reporting of cases, adding that sexual assault is still underreported.

“There are many cases out there that are not being reported and the question is why, this is because when they report they do not get the support and services they need.

https://leadership.ng/osinbajo-rolac-call-for-effective-justice-system-to-end-gender-based-violence/

that's to show how effective and hardworking osinbajo is

Anyway president Buhari is not resign nor the Vice President yemi osinbajo so let us note that. thanks

Wow ! The programme has one, two, and three-bedroom units that will be sold at low prices. The 1-bedroom unit will cost as little as between N1.8miliion to N2million, while financial assistance would be available for Nigerians to pay the mortgage.

tracychelsea13:
This is what we are talking about. We need to embrace mortgage in this country. I have visited the website, applications will begin from tomorrow I believe. This Osinbajo man get sense, we need more housing schemes initiated by government but controlled by the private sector.

In fact ,osinbajo is a man with bundles of knowledge

CamusMidas:
How many Nigerians have such disposal cash carelessly at hand?

You are not to pay it once nah but installmental

WorriorPlus:
Hope politicians would not hijack the scheme to favor their cronies.

It won't happen

Wow! I'm so happy with this news as many tenants will soon become a lordlord ,I really appreciate the effort of buhari/osinbajo on this laudable achievement

Wow! it's good to praise God who has been show mercy to us from January to December

We need to work together and put an end to this insecurity

It will be good if Nigeria can have at least 5 to 7 people who speak on sexual assault like that of vice president yemi osinbajo then it could have better

Wow! This is one of the best programmes so far ,low income earners will soon become landlord and landlady

The fight against corruption is one of the priorities of this administration and since 2015 the government has invested time and resources to ensure that corruption is curbed.

nettpen:
Mumu vice president...

Your father,idiot

One of the key solutions is to ensure reporting of cases while expressing concerns that sexual assault is still underreported

The government will continue the monitoring role that they have been playing in the port sector especially with respect to complaints and redress which is to be accessed from the port service support portal..Thank you Buhari/Osinbajo

definitely it will improve ant- corruption ranking in Nigeria

CURBING CORRUPTION IN PORT OPERATIONS WILL IMPROVE NIGERIA’S ANTI-CORRUPTION RANKING-OSINBAJO

*VP launches new manual to promote transparency, eliminate bottlenecks & illegal demands

Aside the benefit of improved efficiency in the operations of the nation’s seaports, an effective implementation of innovative ideas in the port sector will rapidly change the narrative, the perception, and the ranking of Nigeria in the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Transparency International, according to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN.

Prof. Osinbajo stated this Wednesday at the launch of the Process Manual on Port Operations in Nigeria, at a brief ceremony held at the Presidential Villa.

The manual was developed by stakeholders led by the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reform (TUGAR, an arm in the presidency) to address operational gaps as well as improve transparency and accountability in the system.

Prof. Osinbajo stated that “one solution developed to address the vulnerabilities in the port system is the Process Manual on Port operation. The manual is aimed at fostering an enabling environment for domestic and foreign port users.”

According to the Vice President, “An effective successful systemic intervention in the port sector will rapidly change the narrative, the perception and the ranking of Nigeria in the CPI. The Process Manual on Port Operations is expected to be one of the key indicators for the effective implementation of Executive Order 01 issued essentially to promote transparency and efficiency in the business environment, and designed to facilitate the ease of doing business.”

Prof. Osinbajo noted that “the fight against corruption is one of the priorities of this administration and since 2015 the government has invested time and resources to ensure that corruption is curbed. Even after substantial gains have been attained in the fight against corruption in Nigeria, Nigeria’s ranking under certain indices in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) is yet to show an improvement commensurate to the efforts of the government.

“In terms of utility and relevance, Transparency International CPI and its consequent data sources are determined largely by and produced for the consumption of the business community.

“It therefore has significant reputational and economic implications for countries that are being assessed. The analysis of the CPI further reveals that the ports are primary points of interface between the country and the business community, whether domestic or international, and the experiences of business community shape their perception which feeds into the reputation of the country.”

Speaking further about the significance of the Process Manual on Port Operations, the Vice President said “Process Manual is a step by step trajectory of processes at the ports. It outlines the actors and timelines for each process, it guides the user by highlighting all required documentation, payments, timelines, and the responsible agencies.

“It equally guides the port operator by detailing the implementation chain and provides clarity on the time required for each process. The Process Manual is expected to ensure predictability, promote transparency and accountability; reduce corruption in port processes; eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by port users and reduce the opportunity for illegal demands in the ports. It is expected that the Manual will be reviewed and updated as issues and developments emerge.”

While stating the commitment of the Ministry of Transportation in the adoption of processes in the new Manual, the Minister, Rotimi Ameachi, who was also present at the event said all agencies under the ministry will ensure vigorous implementation in the interest of the country.

On her part, the head of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reform (TUGAR), Mrs. Lilian Ekeanyanwu said the initiative is a pilot in the new trajectory of evidence-based response to issues of corruption.”

Mrs Ekeanyanwu noted that “we started off with the rigorous diagnostics in risk assessment and then made some proposals. This is one of the implementation of the different proposals that we have made.

“We will continue the monitoring role that we have been playing in the port sector especially with respect to complaints and redress which is to be accessed from the port service support portal.”

Other stakeholders present at the launch and who committed to supporting the operationalization of the Process Manual include; the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mr Muhammed Babandede; the Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Yusuf Jamoh; the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello; Director-General of the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP), Mr Mamman Ahmad and the representatives of the NPA, EFCC, ICPC, among others.



Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
10th December 2020

slawormiir:
Damnnn niggarrrr
Isoright...
This mere house boy in aso rock will be foaming activities

Behaving like a star boy

The only star boy we know is wizkid and the weekend

Are you guy referring to someone whose your father can't even be his cleaner

History555:
Osibanjo is so idle that he is always forming busy. Since when does it require a vp to inguarate ordinary manual

I pity your parents who refused to give you sound education so that you may understand well,sorry bro

DelTel:
Will it change the inefficiency at and around port operations.

definitely

This is the best thing because the process would eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks faced by port users and reduce the opportunity for illegal demands in the ports.

emeijeh:
Talk is cheap.
The corruption in this administration cannot be measured or calculated, yet this man is coming out to spew trash.


Na the ldiots wen vote una in i blame sha...
"..... from all of dem in Vulturebbqgrills, we say fu<k off"

See MUMU

Ezenwa12345:
This country nawa

meaning

Definitely, the CPI need to show substantial improvements but is yet to show an improvement commensurate to the efforts of the government.

This is because everybody knows that he's capable of solving problems and has all what it takes to be a true leader

The program really help alot of people and many households benefited from it

The statement was made then as a result of what was happening in Nigeria on the issue of security precisely during jonathan regime through 2015 but some mischievous and PDP took it and misinterpreted the statement

For those who have been following Nigeria politics, you will agree that we have seen politicians defect in the morning and contest in the evening so VP OSINBAJO really tried for the party to stand firmly