The voice of business in Nigeria and umbrella body of employers in country, the Nigeria Employers? Consultative Association, NECA, has raised the alarm over ?destructive activities? of the Lagos by the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, LASWARCO, against organized businesses in the state.

NECA accused LASWARCO of sabotaging businesses and closing down their operations over alleged unpaid water levies among others.

It described the activities of the corporation as tantamount to economic sabotage.

NECA implored Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to immediately intervene, threatening legal action to seek redress if the war against Organized Private Sector, OPS in the state continues.

NECA made the points in a statement by the Director General, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, titled ?STOP THE UNHELPFUL BUSINESS DISRUPTION: NECA URGES LAGOS STATE WATER REGULATORY COMMISSION(LASWARCO).

It read In part: ?Following the purported closure of the factories of some major manufacturing companies in Lagos by the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission, LASWARCO, on the allegation of none payment of water abstraction levies, the Nigeria Employers? Consultative Association, NECA, has urged the Commission to toe the path of support for struggling businesses and stop the ongoing misinformation and media onslaught, which is tantamount to economic sabotage.

?All these at a time when many multinationals are either exiting the country or carrying out global restructuring, with Nigeria and Lagos especially being one of the hardest hit nations/states in divestments and job losses, is worrisome.

?It is no gainsaying that businesses have faced probably the harshest economic situation in recent times, with many declaring humongous losses.

?It is, thus, expected that the Commission will be innovative enough to come up with legitimate ways to generate revenue without adding to the woes of businesses by demanding unjustifiable multimillion amounts as water abstraction levies from businesses that already pay many other forms of taxes for the same activities, they use the water for.?

Government provides water

Speaking further on the role of Government and the Private Sector, the NECA DG averred that ?may we reiterate that it is the responsibility of the government to provide water for its citizens and businesses.

?If this noble responsibility is currently not being fulfilled for whatever reason by the Government, it will be highly insensitive, harsh and punitive for the same Government that has failed to adequately provide water to also impose punitive levies on businesses that are constrained to make investments in providing water to run their businesses.

?This action of the Commission is more worrisome because there is an ongoing engagement with a section of the Organized Private Sector to amicably resolve the issues.

?While some companies had been compelled to pay in the hope of avoiding disruption to their operations, we counsel against the unhelpful tactics being deployed by the Commission.

?It should be noted that Organized Businesses are not against responsible regulation.

?However, we will embark on all legal and legitimate means to resist any form of high-handedness that does not demonstrate empathy with the plight of struggling Nigerian businesses.

?In the quest for revenue generation, the Commission and indeed all other Regulatory Agencies should adopt more legitimate and civil approach, rather than the predominant disruptive pattern of recent times, which are directly against the efforts of the Federal Government to attract investment, promote job creation and facilitate responsible regulation.

?NECA hereby appeals to the business-friendly Executive Governor of Lagos State, to kindly intervene in this matter to save businesses in Lagos from further woes.? (Vanguard)

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