Date: 2012-04-22

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, has said solving Nigeria's economic problems was more important and urgent than convening a national conference.

He, therefore, urged the federal and state governments to give priority attention to the nation's socio-economic problems.

Adebayo, who spoke on Thursday during a visit to the Correspondents' Chapel, Ilorin, Kwara State, identified the major challenges of Nigeria to include insecurity, unemployment, and inconsistency in government regulations, unclear government policies, epileptic power supply, and bad roads.

He added that the problems deserved immediate solution.

He said while it might be desirable to address the agitation by politicians for national conference, it should be done when the economic problems had been addressed.

According to him, people are advocating the creation of more states and local governments mainly for selfish interest and not for the progress of the nation.

He stated that Nigeria's challenges demanded adequate attention, adding that government at all levels must do all possible to guarantee security of lives and property and give the necessary assurance to investors to continue to invest.

Adebayo said, "We have problems of insecurity, unemployment, inconsistency in government regulations, unclear government policies, power, and bad road. Are these things going to form the agenda of national conference? For those who politically think that when you dialogue, you can bring your grievances to the table, they should address the issue of grievances.

He also appealed to the federal, state and local governments to address the problem of multiple and high and taxation.

He said the government should rather create the enabling environment for business to thrive.

He added that though engaging in labour union activities by employees could be desirable, it should not be done in such a way as to stifle the growth of the sector or cause national security.

According to him, the telecommunications sector is the most thriving and vibrant sector. He, however, warned that employees in the sector must not carry union activities to such an extent that the growth of the sector is endanger and national growth and security threatened.

He added that government should create the favourable policies and programmes that would attract and sustain investments in the country.

He said the defeat of the Coordinating Minister and Minister of

Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala from the Presidency of the World Bank should not been seen in bad light.

He said, there could be consideration of the prevailing economic activities in Nigeria and Africa, adding that her nomination and contest for the post should be seen as a good development.

According to him, it shows that the world has recognised the quality of human capital in Africa and even Nigeria.

He said, "There is no investor who will invest in a place where there is no guarantee for investments. Business can thrive where people can go to work without fear of insecurity, harassment or threat of life. The challenge we face in the country today is a major threat to the stability of investment in this country.

"Interference by government in private business is not healthy for economic growth and investment. The role of government is policy and regulation and to provide the right policy environment. The ways some of our business rules and laws are implemented tend to force the corporate organisations of high corporate governance to bend their way of doing things." Adebayo said.