LCCI’s INEC-private sector forum to shape policies, reforms

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) will today, host its first INEC-Private Sector Forum on electoral process, in a bid to provide a platform to discuss the role of the private sector in the electoral process, especially the formulation of policies that affect the private sector.

Scheduled to hold today Tuesday in lagos, the stakeholders’ forum is intended to create awareness as a build-up to the 2019 general elections across the country.

Muda Yusuf, Director General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) said: “private sector players need to be more active in the electoral process. The forum would among other things, sensitise private sector players to register and obtain their PVCs and stand for elections for political offices at all levels.  They should also promote free, fair and credible elections.”

Yusuf added that, “the business community cannot continue to be passive in the political and electoral process. The reality is that the quality of economic policies is impacted by the quality of political governance.

It is the economic policies that determines the prosperity or otherwise of our businesses. It is the economic policies that will determine how equitable the society will be and the capacity of the economy to create jobs.

“It is the social and economic policies that will determine the degree of social justice that we experience as a people. For these and other reasons, we need to play a more active role in influencing the choice of political leaders at all levels of government.”

Yusuf also emphasized the need for a political leadership that will build institutions that are supportive of investment.

He said: “We need to position the private sector as a true engine of growth. We need to develop an economy that rewards hard work, creativity, innovation, wealth creation and entrepreneurship. We need to do away with structures and polices that allow rent-seeking opportunities to flourish. These are the kinds of political and economic environment that we should enthrone at the next election.”

The forum is expected to attract key players in the private sector, while the Chairman of INEC, Professor Mahmood Yakubu is expected as the Special Guest of Honour and will deliver the keynote speech at the event.