NECA decries sealing of member companies

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has expressed concerns over the recent sealing of the premises of Nestlé Nigeria Plc by officials of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC).

It said the approach is counter-productive to efforts to improve the ease of doing business in Nigeria and could roll back progress towards attracting further investments into the country. Olawale rejected allegations that Nestlé Nigeria owes N65.1 million to the NLRC as unpaid lottery fees.

He said: “NLRC’s recent actions in sealing the premises of a company and forcing them to sign an undertaking to make payment in a matter pending in court raises concerns about the ease of doing business in Nigeria.

The rule of law requires that parties in a court case should respect the rule of law and maintain the status quo until the final determination by the court,” he said.

He noted that this is not the first time that the NLRC unduly pressures its members, and called on the Federal Government to impress on it the imperative of respecting the rule of law as well as promoting dialogue and rules of engagement to resolve issues amicably within the provisions of the law when dealing with businesses.