The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Wednesday called for reforms to address bottlenecks in the import and export chain in the maritime sector.
The Speaker stated this while addressing a delegation of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council at his office in Abuja.
Abbas assured PEBEC that the House will attend to the reforms sought by the council, particularly those related to the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria Act and the fate of investors at the free trade zones as contained in the tax reform bills.
He said, “I feel really sad that we in Nigeria, in some areas, are doing things differently. Even from our neighbours here in West Africa, I hear complaints about customs bureaucracy and clearance. I hear about the shipping industry, ports regulatory authorities, all these are taking so long to provide and the costs of even bringing in products to Nigeria, in some instances doubling what they collect (as duty) in our neighbouring countries.
“I think those are serious and major areas that your agency (PEBEC) needs to pay attention to. There is so much you can do by looking at our regulatory bodies, particularly those that are responsible for international businesses and trade, and see what you can do to make the Nigerian environment more competitive.”
Abbas raised the alarm over reports that countries are avoiding shipment to Nigeria, noting that some reports say over 75 per cent of imported goods offloaded in the Benin Republic are meant for Nigerian destinations.
He said, “You (PEBEC) have come to the right place. This is the House where we have been reforming the way we do things from Day 1. That is why our Legislative Agenda is the best working document ever crafted in the history of the parliament.”
While noting that every Ministry, Department and Agency has an issue that begs for attention, especially of the parliament, Abbas thanked PEBEC for finding the House worthy to present its challenges in solving problems.
He disclosed that he receives complaints “Every day from the private sector, foreign investors complaining of bottlenecks” in every facet of the nation’s economic life.
The Speaker commended PEBEC for monitoring the MDAs towards creating an enabling environment for businesses in the country.
He noted that the business environment is challenging, while the areas of concern are many, as “every sector and every agency has issues that beg for attention.”
He said, “I want to assure you on behalf of all the members that we are ready and willing to do everything humanly possible to support you so that you can succeed.”
Abbas said he was excited by the youth dominating PEBEC, with most members of the delegation being under 40.
Earlier, the Director-General of PEBEC, Zara Mustapha Audu, said the visit to the Speaker was on behalf of the Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, who is the chairman of PEBEC.
She noted that PEBEC supervises 69 MDAs with mandates relating to the economy.
While she presented a letter from the Office of the Vice-President to Abbas, Audu sought legislative intervention of the House regarding the Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria, saying there have been pushbacks in the economic environment over the implementation of the new FRCN Act.
