We strongly believe in ERGP -NECA
The Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA) have expressed strong faith in the new “Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP)”, with the belief that the ERGP will execute the plans and visions within in a sustainable manner that will positively intervene in the challenges of the organized private sector.
Addressing Employers, the government and workers at its 60 Annual General Meeting held in Lagos on Tuesday, the President of NECA Mr. Larry Ettah, acknowledged and commended the government on initiatives such as the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, improved access to foreign exchange, and executive orders aimed at easing the means of doing business.
Although he stated that the association will sternly pursue its advocacy for business friendly policies that will enthrone an enabling environment supportive of sustainable and competitive enterprises, he wondered why the issues impeding business growth such as high interest rates, high unemployment and a fixed exchange rate system raised by his predecessors still remain a big challenge to the management of our economy today.
According to Ettah, the association’s strong advocacy and lobbying have not yielded significant result over the years.
He bemoaned, the lack of implementation of the past counsel the association had given on effective management of the economy on inflation, minimum wage, Multiple taxation, delayed budget etc seems to have fallen on the deaf ears of the government.
“Could it be that government simply does not have regard for the private sector, in spite of its rhetoric of recognizing the private sector as the engine of growth?“ he asked.
Responding to this query, the Minister of Budget and Planning, Senator Udo Udoma assured the employers of the governments support.
Udoma stressed the need for the private sector to successfully partner with the government towards achieving sustainable economic growth.
“The government needs the active participation of members of your organization, the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), for it to achieve its ambitious goals.
“You represent many of the leading industrialists and manufacturers in Nigeria. It is your success that will encourage new investors to come into Nigeria. Your success is therefore our success.
“You can therefore count on a listening ear from Government as we work together to transform this economy to become the engine of production of our region and indeed, our continent.” Udoma said.
NECA is the Business membership organization representing the interest of Employers in all sectors of the Nigerian Economy.
It protects the Rights of Enterprise and Employers through all legal and legitimate means and enthrone the private sector as a dependable engine of development.
The association’s financial performance for the year ended 31 December 2016 ended on a positive note with a total income of N220.1 million. This represented a growth of 8 per cent when compared with N203.9 million declared as income in 2015.
The association moderated expenses to N217 million from N220 million expended the previous year, to boost bottom line to a profitable position of N14.7 million as against a loss of N16.7 million declared as loss in 2015.
Other dignitaries present at the event were the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, President of the National Labour Congress (NLC) Mr. Ayuba Wabba, Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), as well as all past presidents of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association.
Afolabi Adesola
