By Ajibola Adedoye
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the South-East have expressed displeasure over the complex registration processes and bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder their access to funding.
Mrs Rachel Yohanna, Executive Director, Davina Care Foundation, expressed the displeasure on Thursday in Awka at a Regional Conference on Improving Regulatory Environment for CSO Operations in Nigeria.
The conference was organised by Global Rights in collaboration with Anambra state government, Community of Practice on Civic Space Strengthening and European Union.
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The conference had the theme -‘Building Strategic Partnerships for a Sustainable Operational Environment for the non-profit sector in Nigeria’.
Yohanna described CSOs as non- profit sector driven by the passion to tackle societal issues and often rely on external and local fundings to sustain their activities.
She said the CSOs often lack the financial resources required for multiple and complex registrations required by government agencies.
“CSOs go through multiple regulatory procedures with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Federal Inland Revenue Service, Economic Financial Crimes Commission and some state government agencies.
“Most of the time these registration requirements and administrative bottlenecks create significant barriers and limit the effectiveness of CSOs in addressing societal issues.
“They even hinder the funding opportunities for CSOs, despite their valuable contributions in the society.
“We are advocating for more simplified and streamlined regulatory procedures to help CSO easily access fund or grants from donors as well as fulfill their vital roles in society,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Abiodun Baiyewu, Executive Director, Global Rights, also decried the multiplicity of regulatory frameworks across the states as it was stifling the operations of CSOs.
Baiyewu who was represented by Mr Edosa Oviawe, Program Manager, Global Rights, said the conference was organised to chart a way for the harmonisation of regulatory frameworks that could assist CSOs operate seamlessly.
He appealed to government of the states in the region to create enabling atmosphere for CSOs to play its critical role in fostering sustainable development in the society.
In his address, Dr Somtochukwu Udeze, the Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, urged legislators in Southeast to see CSOs as partners in the advancement of democratic ethos.
Udeze said the the legislature could significantly improve the operations of CSOs by enacting laws that would enable them fulfill their mandates more effectively.
According to him, the success of CSOs in driving sustainable development and social change depends largely on the policy and legislative environment in which they operate.
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