Neglect Of Non-Oil Sector Worries LCCI

The President, Lagos
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Dr Nike Akande, has decried the neglect of Nigeria’s non-oil sector.
In a statement obtained by The Tide, Wednesday, Akande spoke during a public presentation of the 2016 Lagos International Trade Fair (LITF).
He noted that Nigeria, blessed with abundant deposits of solid minerals, has comparative advantage in its non-oil resources.
The President said considering the dwindling global crude oil prices that have largely affected Nigeria’s foreign exchange revenue base, the time to pay close and serious attention to the non-oil sector was now.
Akande further noted that Nigeria should also pay close attention to the fiscal side of diversification, while maintaining that the nation’s revenue base needed to be better diversified.
“Our tax revenue to GDP is very low.  We need to improve on the efficiency of tax administration at all levels of government, without necessarily increasing the tax rates”, he said.
She noted that the on-going backward integration efforts of corporate organizations towards sourcing for huge quantity of raw materials locally should be encouraged
According to her, the nation’s economy has the capacity to weather the current economic  difficulties if policy contexts were appropriate.
She, however, explained that the chamber presented the platform of the 2016 LITF for states to enable them exhibit and showcase their potentials to prospective investors.
Earlier the Chairman, Trade Promotion Board, Mr Sola Oyetayo, said the chamber shall be celebrating its 30th year existence in 2016.
He disclosed that this marks the fake over of the organisation of the fair from the federal government, adding the event would be marked with exciting programmes.