Programs and Events

Since 2010, the Coalition has successfully carried out the following Advocacy Programs aimed at improving the State Business Environment. These include:

In 2019, NICOBPA organized the second gubernatorial pre-election debate for governorship candidates in the state. The debate witnessed improved preparation, larger political party participation and wider information dissemination besides attendance. Due to the number of political parties involved in the race, NICOBPA decided to trim participation to only the viable parties with wide outreach. At the end, six political parties namely, APC, APGA, PDP, PRP, ADP and LP took part in the debate. The debate engaged the candidates on key policy issues such as Health, Road infrastructure, Power and water supply, Agriculture, State economy, Taxation ahead of the election and reduced the tension generated during the campaigns where many of the political parties were involved in hate speeches.

NICOBPA organized Security Summit tagged: “ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS GROWTH IN NIGER AND NEIGHBOURING STATES THROUGH PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE SECURITY”.

High prolific state and federal correspondents including the representatives of the Executive Governor of Niger State participated in the summit. The outcome of the summit provided actionable objectives that will reduce insecurity and foster economic growth in the state and its neighborhood. The lead speaker, former Commissioner of Police for the Federal  Capital territory, Abuja, Compol Barr. Lawrence Alobi (Rtd) in his paper on “The role of Security Agencies in combating cross boarder Crimes and Fostering conducive Business Environment in Niger and Neighboring States” stated that cross border crimes and insecurity inhibit conducive business environment that will promote economic growth and sustainable development. Other stakeholders that contributed to the discussion including the Assistant Commissioner of Police, Nassarawa Police Command, the Assistant Commissioner of Police (Admin) Niger State Police Command and the Consultant to the Security project, Commissioner of Police agreed there is need for peace and security of lives and properties in the business environment while stating readiness to collaborate with NICOBPA in advocating for implementation of policies recommended during the summit.

NICOBPA ROUNDTABLE DIALOGUE ON MULTIPLE TAXATION

In 2014, NICOBPA organized a public-private dialogue on multiple taxation with the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Niger State Internal Revenue Service, Local Government Revenue Service, tax consultants and taxpayers. Solutions to curbing multiple taxation, which was identified as one of the problems affecting business owners and operators in Niger State was discussed comprehensively. The dialogue identified six key solutions to multiple taxation in the state. They are:

• Creating awareness on tax matters.
• Public enlightenment on tax issues.
• Modality of Tax payment to the three tiers of government.
• Identification of Tax officials.
• Prompt payment of tax by private sector.
• Training & re-training of Revenue officers.

The effect of the dialogue made the local governments in the state harmonize their taxes leading to reduction of multiple levies and taxation on businesses.