Former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji, has said that lack of social amenities such as irregular supply of electricity, water, bad roads as well as multiple taxation are some of the challenges facing operation of businesses in the country.
Professor Nnaji stated this at a “Business Lunch” organized by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Enugu and District Society, held at Golden Royale Hotels, Enugu on Saturday.
Nnaji who was a Key-note speaker at the Business Lunch with a theme: “Eastern Business Initiatives”, went down memory lane x-raying the harsh business environment he had encountered, urged members of ICAN to use their professional know-how to overcome their business challenges as abandoning the problems for white collar jobs abroad might not be the lasting solution.
“We should be part of our problem’s solution. If you leave the problems here and travel abroad where there are social amenities such as regular supply of water, electricity, good network of roads. It is good but you will come back here someday to meet the same problems you left. So, it is better we stay here and help in solving our problems”, he added.
The ex-minister of Science and Technology lauded members of ICAN for putting up Business Lunch, stressing that it was apt and timing especially now that the country is passing through difficult time.
Also speaking, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State said that the state would continue to provide an enabling environment for business to thrive, adding that Enugu is business-friendly and remains the safest state in the country.
Governor Ugwuanyi who spoke at the event through his Commissioner of Information, Chidi Aroh, commended members of ICAN for organizing the lunch and urged them to use the opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of the state.
He noted that bi-partisan politics of the present administration had brought peace and development in the state. “We are interested in robust interaction with business men and women for a strong and viable economy. There is a just system in Enugu State”, he added.
Earlier in his opening address, the Chairman of EDS-ICAN, Mr. Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, said the vision of ICAN is to be a leading global professional body, adding that the forum is expected to catalyze business growth in the southeast geo-political zone.
Nnamani stated that they would continue to strive with a view to making sure accounting values they had share through all ages are sustained.
He also thanked Governor Ugwuanyi for his people-oriented programmes and policies as well as providing them land to build their Secretariat in Enugu.
In her speech, the President of ICAN, Mrs. Comfort Olujumoke Eyitayo, urged her members to use the opportunity of the lunch to share experiences and challenges, commending the organizers for the event. She charged members of ICAN to continue to promote and sustain accountability both in private and public spheres.