How politics is destroying business in Akwa Ibom State
Politics as a word has different meaning to different people and it also depend on the context with which the word is used. For the purpose of this write úp, politics will be defined as a methodology and activities associated with running a government, an organization or a movement for the benefit of the people. It would also be used as a maneuvers or diplomacy between people, groups or organizations especially involving power, influence or conflict.
Business, on the other hand will mean any commercial, industrial or professional activity carried on by a person or group of persons for a profit.
From the foregoing, it is pertinent to state in clear term that politics, if well practiced in a way it ought to be, is supposed to be a blessing to the business community in Akwa Ibom State but unfortunately the political class of the state has decided to look the other way rather preferring to align with the American comedian Julius Henry Marx (Groucho Marx) in defining politics to mean “the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly and applying the wrong remedies.”
In Akwa Ibom State, politics has so much destroyed our businesses (local and foreign) in the recent past, impacting negatively on the growth of these businesses in particular and the state economy at large.
Permit me to quickly say that where there is no political stability, there can’t be any business growth in such an environment. The uncertainties associated with an unstable political environment reduce investment and the pace of economic development. The government of the day will come out with policies on business operation within the state. The business-minded individuals will devise their business strategies such that they can run in tandem with the government's policy only to wake up to the reality that another political regime has arrived. The successive governments will change the policy just to suit their selfish reason(s) and this will adversely affect the business environment in the state.
Also permit me to say that during the electioneering period, political parties in the state do approach the businesses community with promises of making laws that will encourage their continuous existent in businesses while promising the MSMEs of creating a business friendly environment if voted into power. You will agree with me that those promises are never kept by these politicians rather they inflict more injuries on the MSMEs using harsh economic policies. Typical example is the recent destruction of shops and sheds at Ibom plaza in Uyo rendering those businesses non-functional and the businessmen and women idle.
Time will fail me to discuss on the tax policies of the government that destroys rather than encourage building businesses in the state. What then will we talk about the suppression of the freedom of the Press as witnessed in the state by agents of government brought into power as a result of politics. It is not gainsaying that the unholy alliance between the government brought into power through the process of election (politics) and Trade Union when it comes to reaching agreements is a negative to the business community in the State and that hinders the growth of businesses.
However the numerous destructive tendencies of politics to the businesses in Akwa Ibom State, the goodnews is that Politics, if played by the rules, is a booster to businesses.
Thank You.
Edet John
08037579313
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