The Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA) has urged the Federal Government to evolve measures towards making the business sector to flourish.
Mr Austin Atakpu, BENCCIMA President, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Benin,
Atakpu said that the call was as a result of Federal Government’s approval of N70,000 as the new minimum wage for workers in the country.
He said that although the approval of a new minimum wage was good, the Federal Government should provide a conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
“The ultimate beneficiaries of the new wage regime are paid workers, so measures should be in place to tackle possible negative effects of the new wage on the economy.
The BENCCIMA president urged the Federal Government to evolve ways of addressing possible hike in the cost of living that could arise from the new wage regime.
“We do not need a soothsayer to tell us that the already unbearable cost of living will soar due to this approval.
“The government should use the right channels to support businesses, especially, micro, small and medium scale enterprises.
“Government must deliberately boost the business sector. This will help Nigerians to cope with the current hash reality in the cost of goods and services.
“The Federal Government should be more proactive and serious with its interventional initiatives,” he said.
Atakpu said that it was unproductive using politicians to distribute food items under Federal Government-sponsored initiatives.
“In using this approach, the items do not get to the targeted groups. They still end up in the hands of the privileged class,” he said.(NAN)
By Joy Odigie
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