HOW GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS STIFLE BUSINESS GROWTH

HOW GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS STIFLE BUSINESS GROWTH

By Choice Arukwe

A company that employs thousands of jobless youths, pays taxes and improves the general welfare in a state is like a heaven sent but unfortunately, some government officials are stifling the growth of these companies with a blithe eye when it comes to patronage.

Anambarians get to be asking these days, why is the state government finding it difficult to patronize industries located in the state.

Is it that their products are substandard or that they are not aware of the existence of these industries?

For example, often times, we see Chief (Mrs) Ebelechukwu Obiano, the wife of the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano, distribute some brands of noodles to children in a state that has a company producing Tummy Tummy noodles.

Truly, this is a question not even wiser heads with a PhD in Economics can answer, because the act alone mocks Adam Smith’s opinion on how wealth can be created and shared.

This continuous action of state government will result in leaving companies like Tummy Tummy Noodles dangling on the rope of survival, thereby, leading to reduction of workers and decrease in its volume of tax and other levies to the government.

Cash flow is a critical part of any business venture; and if there is zero patronage from a government that is supposed to be its main cheerleader, the business will go down.

Aside from zero patronage, statistics show that two-third of businesses operating in Nigeria spend every day living on the edge, fighting to make ends meet and keep their doors open.

This is not supposed to be the case if government is serious in ensuring that more youths are employed in their states.

The sweet poetry of government during electioneering should be matched with action. Every state prides in their internally generated revenue and Anambra can be mashed up in the same ladder where Lagos sits if local patronage is encouraged.

Companies like Tummy Tummy Noodles, Innoson Vehicles has what it takes to turn Anambra as the commercial hub in Africa, but for that to happen government must learn to encourage local patronage.

Majority of companies in Nigeria are overtaxed, overregulated and overburdened; and, unless something changes soon, they’ll likely be out of business.

Companies producing in Anambra State must receive reasonable patronage from the state government and its departments, as this is one sure way to ensure its survival.