The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has moved to facilitate a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers States, to help guarantee seamless movement of goods for economic growth within the Niger Delta region.
The Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Rafsanjani, at a 2-day stakeholders engagement workshop held in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, southern Nigeria, said that the gesture for an MoU within the region would serve as a pilot project.
Rafsanjani, represented by the Finance and Administrative Manager of CISLAC, Magaji Mato, noted that internal trade barriers were significant hindrances to economic growth.
Obstacles
Speaking about the project, he stated, “Businesses, transporters, and traders in these three states have faced considerable obstacles that stifle economic growth and efficiency. Multiple taxation, inconsistent levies, and bureaucratic bottlenecks have created a complex and unpredictable cost structure.”
He further hinted that the barriers resulted in “increased turnaround times, spoilage of perishable goods and inflated operational costs as well as higher prices for consumers,” a situation, which essentially necessitated a tripartite MoU to create a friendly trade environment within the region.”
MoU Objectives
According to him, the MoU would eliminate the hinderances and promote a unified tax administration system for easy compliance as well as “encourage cross-border investments and economic integration within the region.”
Rafsanjani continued: “The MoU represents a decisive move towards building a more predictable, transparent and business-friendly Niger Delta.It is a call to action for all stakeholders – government, private sector, transport unions, civil society, and development partners – to work together in implementing and sustaining these reforms.”
While commending the three state governments for demonstrating the political will to cooperate on the reforms, he underscored the need for a Joint Tax Harmonization Committee to implement the provisions of the memorandum and sued for stakeholders collaboration.
The Speaker of the House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem commended CISLAC and Oxfam in Nigeria for taking steps to establish a robust regional economic cooperation between Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River States.
Ayambem, who was represented by the chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, Mr. Okon Owuna agreed that the three states “share so much in common,” stressing the need there for the dismantling of any barriers to economic growth.”
Continuing, he said, “these States, though distinct, can grow faster if they come together to develop common grounds of economic growth,” and urged the participants to study and understand the tax system and regimes of each state in a manner that would promote equity and trust.
The 2-Day stakeholders’ workshop, organised by CISLAC with support from Oxfam in Nigeria, was attended by delegates from Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Rivers States.
The workshop had the theme “Unlocking Economic Prosperity in the Niger Delta: Facilitating Trade, Agriculture and Tax Policies.