Economy
By Kingsley Okoye
Abuja, July 4, 2018 (NAN) Mr Evans Osemwegie , the Chief Executive Officer, Evago Global, a Latvia-based multi-sector company, on Wednesday described the economic policies and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration as the right steps in the right direction.
Osemwegie said this while speaking at the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Wednesday.
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“From my understanding of studying the country from far, all these years, I believe that the current administration is moving in the right direction in the aspect of the economy.
“Of course, much of this hinges on the next election; however, even if there is a change of government, if the next government will be able to follow up what has been started, key into it with much more vigour and energy, I believe we will see great results.
“Our role in this conference is to partner with Nigeria in particular, and Africa in general as it begins to rise.
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Osemwegie , however, spoke of the need to pay close attention to issues that could help accelerate the attraction of foreign direct investment to the continent.
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“A number of issues that can be addressed, for example tax reform, a big one – working to ensure that international companies pay their fair share in taxes.
“A novel one that is very important is the Land Reform in Africa. You cannot have a sizable agric business without having strong and title rights to land.
“ The current land title structure in Africa is too multi-layered – the regional territories, the tribal territories, and so on.
“This does not allow the investors to buy investment land if there was already a prior title to the land that they were not aware of.”
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He said plans to convoke the “Arise Africa“ impact investment conference notwithstanding the forthcoming elections in Nigeria, was to demonstrate that they were serious about working closely with Nigeria.
He added that the period would have an edge over proceedings in the conference.
He also said that the move was also to encourage other African national governments to rise up to the challenge and do more towards promoting and developing their indigenous economies for the benefit of their people. (NAN)
KC/YEE
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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim