The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), has commended the Federal Government’s initiatives aimed at repositioning the private sector in the economic recovery process of the country.
The President of LCCI, Mrs Nike Akande, told newsmen in Lagos, on Sunday that giant strides of government towards improving the business environment would impact positively on productivity, prosperity and progress of the private sector.
“We commend the creation of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), chaired by the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, with the Honourable Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah as Vice Chairman.
“The profile of this council, as reflected in its composition, underscores the importance that the government attaches to business environment issues and by extension private sector development.
“We expect that the PEBEC initiative will remove the numerous obstacles and barriers, which have been a source of frustration to entrepreneurs,” she said.
Akande commended government’s 60-day articulated national action plan for ease of doing business involving; reduction in business registration time at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with the upgrade of its online portal.
“Reduction in product registration period by relevant regulatory agencies of government, transparency and inclusiveness in procurement processes.
“Reduction in number of agencies examining cargoes at the ports and commitment to the introduction of Single Window for cargo clearance by the end of the year.
“Streamlining immigration procedures and processes to reduce bureaucracy of issuing passports and visas, as well as issuance of Visa on Arrival,”she said.
According to her the measures also include the commitment to the improvement of the ambience of our international airports and upgrading websites of MDAs.
“The progress made in the engagement of the Niger Delta stakeholders is commendable. The country has witnessed a respite from attacks on oil installations in recent times,” Akande added.
She urged the government to sustain strategic engagement and ensure that the fundamental developmental issues in the Niger Delta region are urgently addressed.
“It is in the interest of all that we have an enduring peace in all parts of the country,” she said
According to her, measures taken by government will impact positively on investors’ confidence, promote domestic and foreign investment, improve the doing business ranking of Nigeria and make the country a major investment destination.
Akande said that the chamber would track the progress of PEBEC for appropriate feedback to the government.
She urged state governments to emulate the federal government by improving investment environment in their states as regards construction permits, perfection of land titles and the multiplicity of taxes and levies. (NAN)