Group to Organise Debate for Politicians

In order to hold political office seekers accountable when elected, the Plateau Coalition of Business and Professional Association (PLACOBPA) has organised 2019 election debate for candidates cutting across all parties in the state. The Chairman of PLACOBPA, Mr. Cyril Ogboli, stated this in Jos while speaking with journalists about the programme. Ogboli said the essence of the election debate was to let the electorate know what stuff individual candidates are made of and to give opportunities to the common people to ask them specifically what they stand to benefit if given the mandate. According to the PLACOBPA chairman, the coalition has already gone ahead to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral

Commission (INEC) to get the list of political parties and their candidates for 2019 elections so as to engage them.

He said that although the election debate would cost them a fortune toorganise,hewas,however,optimisticthattheywouldgetindependent funding.Forhim,PLACOBPAhadidentifiedfourissuesmilitatingagainst the smooth running of businesses in Plateau, among which he said are; lack of peace and security which leads to unfavourable business environment for the business community in the state.

Ogboli, also listed multiple taxation as adding to the cost of doing business which causes a loss of revenue to the government.

He believes also that lack of a central market which encourages street trading, hawking and so on, leads to a loss of revenue accruing to government which leads to other negative social vices in society. The areas of concern of PLACOBPA were identified as creation of standard designated parks, power supply, access to finance/microfinance and sanitation.