The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) is still pending before the National Assembly,
but it aims at simplifying the royalty and tax collection; capture windfall profits; encourage low cost operations; encourage the development of small fields
and increase government stake on large profitable fields in deep water.
A lot of effort has also been expended in the areas of tax-payer education,
public enlightenment, modernization of operations, integrated tax administration system and registration of taxable persons.
Commercial Dispute Resolution: Towards ensuring effectiveness and
efficiency in the dispensation of justice, Alternative Dispute Resolution
(ADR) Mechanisms have been put in place to reduce the workload of
Nigeria’s conventional courts. Through the ADR, most small businesses
now secure out of court settlement of cases with cost effectiveness.
The ADR centers try to mediate commercial disputes thereby reducing
the load on courts while at the same time saving the parties the costs
of litigation.
Judicial Reforms: In order to address the challenges facing the Judiciary, reforms are also being undertaken by that Arm of government to
reposition the system for efficient and effective dispensation of justice.
More courts are being built across the nation and efforts are made at
liberalization of the jurisdiction of high courts to entertain fundamental
rights cases under the constitution, as well as the methods of approaching the courts. The right of action for enforcement of rights, and liability
for violation, has also been extended to companies and individuals.
Capital Market and SMEs’ Access to Finance: The Nigerian capital market which slumped at the pick of global economic recession has started
picking up. This is attributed to the present Administration’s commitment at achieving the country’s Vision 20:20:20 objectives. As a result
of the extension of the CBN guarantee of interbank transactions in January and May, 2010, the money market stabilized in the review period.
The May 2010 extension of the interbank guarantee was designed to
cover up to June 2011. Being aware of the indispensable roles the SMEs
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