Programs & Events
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Programs & Events
Democratic Engagements
Since 2010, the Coalition has successfully carried out the following Advocacy Programs aimed at improving the State Business Environment. These include:
- The Advocacy dialogue on Tax Regime & Administration (2010).
- Security Summit (2010).
Advocacy Campaign carried out to address the issue of the ranking of the 5 South East States as the worst environment in the ease of doing business in Nigeria following the then World Bank Report and BECANS II by the African Institute of Applied Economics now known as African Heritage (2011). The issues or indicators to what informed the ranking was hinged on Multiplicity of Taxes/Levies, Registration of Property, starting a business, construction permit and enforcing contracts.
- The Public Private Dialogue with members of the Enugu State House of Assembly at Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu led by the then Speaker, Rt. Hon. Eugene Odoh (2012).
The Public Private Dialogue with the Ministry of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority ECTDA under the then leadership of Engr. IK Ugwuegede where the issues of the manner and operation of Traffic Officers in the clamping of vehicle were discussed, recommendations and solutions proffered, the issue of property registration and construction permit were further discussed, and appropriate recommendations made (2013).
Dialogue with the management of Board of Internal Revenue on the issue of Multiple Taxation/Levies (2014).
- Launch/Advocacy Program on the State Business Agenda (SBA). The 8 priority issues that were affecting businesses in Enugu State were dealt with in the SBA and this remains the focal point of the Coalition which were encapsulated in the SBA Policy Brief Document that was first launched and presented to the Public in November, 2016.
- The launch of/advocacy on the Revised SBA (2020). Coalition after about 4 years reviewed the implementations of the recommendations and the impact of the maiden edition of the SBA and observed with strong convictions that 3 out of the 8 issues had received appreciable levels of improvement. Therefore, further investigation/survey on the other five issues which received none or little improvement, gave birth to the Revised Edition of the State Business Agenda. The Coalition has continued on advocacy visits to relevant Government ministries/agencies to ensure that its goals are achieved.
Pre–Election Engagements
ECOBPA with the support of CIPE in February, 2015 organized a pre-election debate for the 2015 Governorship candidates in the State. Although the candidate of the PDP who finally won the election did not participate in the debate, the Governorship candidates of three other political parties in the state including APC participated. The debate was widely covered by 80% of the media organisations in Enugu State.
Efforts by the Coalition to organize another pre-election debate in 2019 when the last general election was held, proved abortive for reasons beyond the control of the Coalition.
However, the Coalition has it as one of its major mandates to advocate for good governance through a proper democratic process. In this regards, ECOBPA will never be discouraged by any unsuccessful effort but will continue to engage all political office holders from the point of interest for any elective position. The Coalition has therefore started planning for the next pre-election debate come 2023.
THE ADVOCACY ON SECURITY/SUMMIT
An Advocacy Program on Security was carried out by the Coalition, based on a Position Paper prepared by the Coalition; which identified the issues, analyzed them through a survey and empirical study.
A Security summit held on the 25th and 26th of May 2010. The summit which attracted Stakeholders from States in the South East Zone featured experience sharing, paper presentations from Security experts and effectual interactions. The Local Communicating Committee followed this up with a visit to the then Inspector General of Police Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo in Abuja where the document containing the policy recommendations of the Coalition was presented. There has been a marked improvement in the security situation of the state as a result.
ENGAGEMENT WITH SOME STAKEHOLDERS ON TAX MATTERS
In order to check the excesses of some government agencies regarding multiple taxation and levies, the Coalition consulted with the Local Government Chairman of Enugu East LGA and the State Board of Internal Revenue, between August and September 2012.
These led to the stoppage of operations of multiple tax collections, in order to fully engage ECOBPA members in constructive dialogue. The resultant dialogue has saved business operators from the highhandedness of the tax consultants of the local government.
VISITATION TO VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE YEAR
THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM ON THE EFFECTS & IMPACT OF CORRUPTION ON BUSINESS
A Business Roundtable on the Effects and Impact of Corruption focusing on two key agencies of Enugu State Government viz. the Ministry of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority and the State Board of Internal Revenue was held between 27th May 2014, with ECTDA and 28th May 2014, with Board of Internal Revenue.
The policy recommendations of the advocacy program on the issues relating to the two agencies are well documented with monitoring and evaluation ongoing.
There were post event visits to Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Nigerian Television Authority on July 22, 2014 led by the Chairman, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye OFR, mni where the Final Policy Position Paper recommendations were presented to the management of both media houses. Some of the policy recommendations from the Advocacy Programs are being implemented as the Coalition keeps tracking and scanning the business environment.
WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPING A STATE BUSINESS AGENDA
THE ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN ON MULTIPLE TAXATION/LEVIES
THE ADVOCACY ON SECURITY/SUMMIT
An Advocacy Program on Security was carried out by the Coalition, based on a Position Paper prepared by the Coalition; which identified the issues, analyzed them through a survey and empirical study.
A Security summit held on the 25th and 26th of May 2010. The summit which attracted Stakeholders from States in the South East Zone featured experience sharing, paper presentations from Security experts and effectual interactions. The Local Communicating Committee followed this up with a visit to the then Inspector General of Police Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo in Abuja where the document containing the policy recommendations of the Coalition was presented. There has been a marked improvement in the security situation of the state as a result.
ENGAGEMENT WITH SOME STAKEHOLDERS ON TAX MATTERS
In order to check the excesses of some government agencies regarding multiple taxation and levies, the Coalition consulted with the Local Government Chairman of Enugu East LGA and the State Board of Internal Revenue, between August and September 2012.
These led to the stoppage of operations of multiple tax collections, in order to fully engage ECOBPA members in constructive dialogue. The resultant dialogue has saved business operators from the highhandedness of the tax consultants of the local government.
VISITATION TO VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS IN THE YEAR
THE ADVOCACY PROGRAM ON THE EFFECTS & IMPACT OF CORRUPTION ON BUSINESS
A Business Roundtable on the Effects and Impact of Corruption focusing on two key agencies of Enugu State Government viz. the Ministry of Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority and the State Board of Internal Revenue was held between 27th May 2014, with ECTDA and 28th May 2014, with Board of Internal Revenue.
The policy recommendations of the advocacy program on the issues relating to the two agencies are well documented with monitoring and evaluation ongoing.
There were post event visits to Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and Nigerian Television Authority on July 22, 2014 led by the Chairman, Dr. Ifeanyi Okoye OFR, mni where the Final Policy Position Paper recommendations were presented to the management of both media houses. Some of the policy recommendations from the Advocacy Programs are being implemented as the Coalition keeps tracking and scanning the business environment.
WORKSHOP ON DEVELOPING A STATE BUSINESS AGENDA
