Rights Group urges govt to Lessen CSOs’ Burden on Regulatory Compliance

By Praise Chinecherem

Global Rights has identified what it termed burdensome nature of operational environment and ignorance as major hindrances to Civil Society Organizations’ (CSOs) compliance to regulations.

Program Officer, Damilola Decker revealed this on Wednesday at a two-day training on Nonprofit Regulatory Compliance for members of the Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening in Anambra State.

The training themed, “Strengthening a Community of Practice to improve the CSO Regulatory Environment in Nigeria” was organized with support of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and the ECOWAS (EU Commission).

Decker lamented multiplicity of various forms of regulations with their accompanying financial burdens, calling on government to lighten the burden to enable the CSOs carry out their responsibilities seamlessly.

He said, “We’ve observed through our research that many CSOs, NGOs, and other non-profitable organizations, after registering with CAC, are ignorant of the regulatory burdens and regimes they have to keep up with.

“Not that they don’t want to comply, but the knowledge gap remains a challenge. Hence, Global Rights saw the need for the training in furtherance of our projects to strengthen their operational environment with support from EU.

“Again, while trying to improve operational environment, we realized its burdensome nature, making it difficult for CSO to comply.

“There are multiplicity of all forms of regulations, especially at the state level. You can see one NGO registering in different govt agencies.

“Worse still, these registrations come with financial burdens and this, to a large extent hinders the CSOs from their good work of bridging gap between government and people.

“We keep pushing for policies that enhance CSOs operational abilities, including streamlining the regulatory processes, at the same time improving the CSOs knowledge to their responsibilities.”

Decker however expressed satisfaction with testimonies emanating from the CSOs present at last year’s training in the state which necessitated the second edition.

“Since the first training held exactly last year, we’ve heard success stories from the CSO members of Committee of Practice who attended the training.

“Among the numerous benefits included filing their annual returns and awareness of burdens that accompany registration.

“Yes, we don’t expect 100% compliance immediately, but we’re seeing gradual improvement. That’s why we felt the need for a second training,” he added.

One of the resource persons, Alfred Iortyaver, Associate member, Chartered institute of Taxation of Nigeria who spoke on Nonprofit Taxation raised the challenge of incivility approach of tax administrators especially at the local government level.

He stressed the need for capacity building for tax administrators, particularly on mode of tax collection as one of the major ways of curbing the uncivilized approach.

He said, “The issue of tax administration has been a source of worry. Yes, tax is a legal obligation. Most people complian about uncivil approach of tax administrators, especially at the local government level.

“Little wonder many view tax administrators as bad people. So there’s apprehension anytime they’re around. Bedsides is non-remittance of collected revenues to the authorities and non-utilization of same by the authorities.”

Earlier, Member, National Steering Committee, Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening, Nonso Orakwe said the training was opportunity to deepen CSOs’ understanding of the laws, policies, and best practices guiding their operations.

“This will enable us engage effectively with stakeholders, avoid unnecessary risks and amplify our collective impact,” he said.