By Franklin Alli & Favour Agbi
AHEAD of its forthcoming National Conference on Transforming Nigeria, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), said it wants the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to speak with one voice on national issues.

“Journalists and other stakeholders have continued to seek opinion and comments from NACCIMA as well as other members of the OPS.  In a situation where opinion varies on the very many issues where until all facts, figures and circumstances are cleared, it will be unfair to criticise or disagree with government proposals and NACCIMA would not wish to be cut in the trap of double speak whenever opinion differs on issues,” said NACCIMA President, Dr. Ademola Ajayi.

According to him, NACCIMA has decided that we would rather consult and discuss with various Associations and stakeholders and have all the facts that we can get before expressing opinion on ongoing but unresolved issues.

“It is for this reason that a conference is being organised to provide answers  to a number of burning issues on the economy with a view to coming up with a communiqué that would assist the government in achieving its on-going onerous task of transformation for the overall benefit of the Nigerian society.”

He disclosed that tops among the number of burning issues for discussion are security and the economy. “The country’s security has been severely challenged by recent developments where the state of insecurity is embarrassing and frightening.

“The rampant occurrences of kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and more recently the indiscriminate acts of bombing and murder of Nigerians, even law enforcement agents, is simply terrorism, which is yet to be fully contained,” he said.

On economy, he said in spite of ongoing laudable reforms, the economy has not progressed as expected; and the business community continues to grapple with the usual age-long challenging operating environment, policy somersaults, infrastructure constraints, particularly the almost over flogged issue of power and energy.

“The recent and indeed any further increase in electricity tariff under the current inefficient situation of electricity will be unacceptable to the majority of Nigerians and needs be reviewed as it will further increase the already high cost of living.”

“It is also a known fact that Nigeria is rich in crude oil and gas where it has earned billions of petro-dollars; however, the country seems to be batting the challenge of translating the huge oil wealth into prosperity for all Nigerians in this new dispensation.”