Business
RSG To Sponsor Multiple Taxation Bill
As part of efforts to restore investors confidence in the business environment of the state, the Rivers State Government has planned to sponsored a fiscal Responsibility Bill in the state House of Assembly, with a view to tackling the challenges posed by multiple taxation in the state.
The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi made this known Friday at the opening ceremony of the 5th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair organised by Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and agriculture (PHCCIMA) at the Isaac Boro Park Port Harcourt.
The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, said going by the need to protect and encourage business activities in the state multiple taxation must be discouraged to boost the economic moral of investors as way of incentive noting that the bill when passed into law will harmonised all forms of taxes.
It would be recalled that the state government has recently banned all revenue agents, both at state and local government levels, while urging tax payers to pay their taxes to designated banks.
According to him, government will pay more attention to small and medium scale enterprises and designe a way to empower them, emphasising that any state that undermines the importance of SMEs is heading to economic downturn. As a result of this, government is providing good roads power supply, health and, good water, he added.
The governor regretted that inspite of enormous power generated by the state, distribution remains a set back, saying that government is partnering with Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to ensure adequate distribution of power to the consumers in the state.
He enjoined PHCCIMA members to embrace the public private partnership programme of the state government, stressing that government is only interested in 20 per cent equity as a way of encouraging the organised private sector to participate.
He described the Trade Fair as an alternate market for manufacturers and marketers to showcase their products and wares, as consumers also make their choices and urge participants to avail themselves of the available business opportunities.
Earlier, the President of PHCCIMA, Engr Vincent Furo, had said that the theme of this year’s fair is “stimulating the states economy through infrastructural development and effective public-private partnership”, noting that the major objective is to showcase investment and business potentials that abound in the state.
For the smooth running of business in the state, PHCCIMA boss calls for building of a second run way and installation of Landing Instrument System at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to ensure effective night operations. A sustainable power policy be provided to encourage private sector participation Furo said, for government support for the chambers skill acquisition scheme for the youths.
The President, National Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, mines and Agriculture, Dr S.C. Okolo commended the state government for creating enabling environment for business to thrive, saying that the fair is coming at the time when government and organised private sector (OPS) are partnering for economic development.
He tasked federal government to improve on the power sector, put refineries in place, good road, security and in frastructural development before deregulating the down stream sector.
King Alfred Diette-Spiff, the Amayanabo of Twon Brass, in his good will message called on oil companies operating in Port Harcourt to identify themselves with the chambers, and as well drew the attention of government to the need to have a permanent Trade fair site.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) yesterday said 33 banks have met new minimum capital requirements under its recapitalisation programme, raising a combined N4.65 trillion to strengthen the financial system.
The apex bank disclosed this in a statement marking the end of the exercise, which commenced in March 2024 and drew participation from domestic and foreign investors.
The statement was jointly signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Olubukola Akinwunmi, and the Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi-Ali.
The statement said “Over the 24-month period, Nigerian banks raised a total of N4.65tn in new capital, strengthening the resilience of the financial system and enhancing its capacity to support the economy.”
The regulator said local investors accounted for 72.55 per cent of the funds, while international investors contributed 27.45 per cent, reflecting continued confidence in the sector.
Commenting on the outcome, the CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said in the statement, “The recapitalisation programme has strengthened the capital base of Nigerian banks, reinforcing the resilience of the financial system and ensuring it is well-positioned to support economic growth and withstand domestic and external shocks.”
It added that while 33 banks have complied with the new thresholds, a few others are still undergoing regulatory and legal processes.
The statement noted, “The CBN confirms that 33 banks have met the revised minimum capital requirements established under the programme.
“A limited number of institutions remain subject to ongoing regulatory and judicial processes, which are being addressed through established supervisory and legal frameworks.
“All banks remain fully operational, ensuring continued access to banking services for customers.”
The apex bank stressed that the exercise was executed without disrupting banking operations, ensuring uninterrupted access to services nationwide.
It further stated that key prudential indicators have improved, particularly capital adequacy ratios, which remain above global Basel benchmarks.
The minimum ratios were set at 10 per cent for regional and national banks and 15 per cent for banks with international licences.
The bank also said the recapitalisation coincided with a gradual exit from regulatory forbearance, a move it said improved asset quality, strengthened balance sheet transparency, and enhanced overall stability.
To preserve these gains, the CBN said it has reinforced its risk-based supervision framework, mandating periodic stress tests and adequate capital buffers for banks.
It added that supervisory and prudential guidelines would be reviewed regularly to strengthen governance, risk management, and resilience across the sector.
“The successful completion of the programme establishes a stronger and more resilient banking system, better positioned to support lending, mobilise savings, and withstand domestic and global shocks,” the statement said.
The Tide learnt that foreign capital inflows into Nigeria’s banking sector rose by 93.25 per cent year-on-year to $13.53bn in 2025, up from $7.00bn recorded in 2024, amid the ongoing recapitalisation drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics capital importation report showed that the banking sector remained the dominant destination for foreign capital, accounting for $13.53bn of the total $23.22bn recorded in 2025, representing 58.26 per cent of total inflows, up from 56.81 per cent in 2024.
The surge reflects heightened investor interest in Nigerian banks as they raised fresh capital to meet new regulatory thresholds introduced by the apex bank, with industry-wide recapitalisation activities driving large-scale inflows across all quarters of the year.
However, the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) recently raised concerns over weak credit flows to small businesses despite recent banking sector reforms.
The CPPE, led by a renowned economist, Dr Muda Yusuf, acknowledged that the ongoing bank recapitalisation exercise by the CBN has strengthened the financial system, but warned that the benefits have yet to translate into meaningful support for the real economy.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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