In a bid to promote cross-border trading between Nigeria and its neighbouring countries, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), a non-governmental, non-profit advocacy group, has called for policy dialogue and advocacy initiatives.
The group’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, represented by Mayo Omowu, made this call during a two-day stakeholders’ policy dialogue, held at the Transcorp Hotel, Calabar, Cross River State.
Raphsanjani noted that CISLAC, in collaboration with Oxfam in Nigeria, has been actively engaged in capacity building programmes focused on fair tax justice campaign, resilience and climate change adaptation programme, public financing for agriculture, intra-Africa and global trade facilitation, and empowerment of traders, especially women in the informal sector.
He said that the organisation’s efforts aim to empower smallholder women farmers, youth groups and community-based individuals in advocating for equity and engaging with stakeholders to address their needs.
CISLAC boss stressed that since its incorporation in 2006, the centre has been involved in legislative advocacy work, complying with the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2017 by reporting transactions above a certain threshold.
He said that through collaborations with Oxfam, CISLAC has advocated for fiscal and trade reforms to promote inclusive and sustainable development in Nigeria.
Working closely with the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (CALCCIMA), he pointed out that CISLAC has supported the advancement of trade, tax and investment policy reforms in Cross Rivers State.
