Abuja, Dec. 4, 2023: The Managing Director of Delta Special Economic Zone, Godwin Akpovie, says multiple taxations and insecurity are major challenges bedevilling manufacturers in the country.
Akpovie said on Sunday that this challenge of insecurity extended to values and finance, especially when you bring in your money and in just a short while it depreciates due to the value of our currency, it means your money is not secured.
”So security is not just about guns and weapons but how secure the funds of investors that come into the country are.
”No businessman wants to put his money where he is unsure of the return on investment.
”So those in charge of our monetary policy should urgently look towards this direction and profer solutions,” he said.
According to the CEO, one other bane of businesses in the country is the issue of cyber security.
He said that although the government was working on resolving this challenge, much needed to be done to build investors’ confidence.
Akpovie said technology was the way to go and should be encouraged as it would not only ease business but also create more jobs.
”Unlike the notions by many that embracing technology will create unemployment, that is not true.
”The use of technology will lead to the discovery of many other neglected areas that need human interference, so it will create jobs.
”Some advanced countries have already started using robots and AI to carry out most functions, and we in Nigeria are very far from that level.
”So I encourage the various stakeholders to look in that direction, invest in technology, invest in training your employees, so they can retrain other staff,” he said.
He said, ”to secure your money and investments, you must encourage technology as an investor.
”And by this, you must dedicate some of your money for training and retraining; you must be willing to provide the right skills for your staff.”
Akpovie then urged the government to create an enabling environment for small business owners to thrive while urging Nigerians to patronise Made in Nigeria products.
According to him, when small businesses are allowed to grow, it will lead to the growth and development of the country for a while.
