The National Assembly has been urged to expedite action on the passage of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill, which is currently before it.
In a communique issued recently by the Private Sector Coalition on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Bill at the end of a one-day meeting in Lagos, the group noted the Competition Bill is awaiting its third reading in the House of Representatives and has passed its second reading in the Senate.
It noted the consensus involving the public and private sector stakeholders on changes to the Bill and admitted that the amendments are consistent with the position of the Private Sector Coalition (PSC).
The communique observed that the PSC needs to update its position paper and renew its wider advocacy offensive in support of the Bill and that “as private sector stakeholders, we realise the Bill is not perfect but this is the time to rally around and improve the quality.”
While assuring that the Bill will enhance productivity, improve job creation and foster innovation, the PSC agreed that sector regulators need to be engaged and consulted for their input and agreement before the public hearing on the Bill by the Senate.
The communique urged NASSBER and other private sector organisations to support the efforts to pass the Bill and gain presidential assent.
It stressed the need for stakeholder engagement at all levels of government to drive the message, enhance understanding of the Bill, and gain the support of legislators to pass the Bill.
The coalition, which comprises the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG), among others, in collaboration with the Enhancing Nigerian Advocacy for a Better Business Environment (ENABLE), urges business membership organisations to sensitise their members and officers in the states to support the ongoing campaign on the Bill.
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