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Preamble from NECA Director-General Mr. O. A. Oshiniwo
As you are probably aware, a private Bill is currently progressing in the National Assembly aimed at imposing a Corporate Social Responsibility Tax of 0.5% to 2% of profit before tax on private sector companies. The Bill seeks to legislate CSR into law and institute a CSR Commission to give effect to it.
We believe there is an alternative. Last week we met with a team of UK Specialist CSR Consultants who have just finished the design for a major CSR programme for Lagos State initiated by LASAA. The programme is called "A Better Day in Lagos" and entails a Public Private Partnership approach to the issue of CSR without the element of compulsion and legislation. Rather, it will take the form of a group partnership approach by private sector companies, the state government, NGOs and CBOs to collectively sponsor and simultaneously implement a wide range of developmental projects. The partnership will be brought together under a newly created entity, the Mayflower Foundation, which is to be governed by all representative parties. Mayflower will have transparent and well monitored objectives to provide significant improvements in health, education, gainful employment through empowerment and enhanced security of life and property in the State.
It is to this end that we are organising a Round Table meeting involving a select number of member companies at which the consultants advising the State government will clarify the State's CSR Package. The issue of what is in it for business will also be addressed.
OBJECTIVES OF THE MEETING
* To strategise on how to implement an alternative to the CSR Bill being debated at the National Assembly.
* To articulate a Public Private Partnership Model of CSR that does not entail compulsion.
* To be acquainted with the Lagos State initiated CSR Programme called "A Better Day in Lagos" to be implemented by the Mayflower Foundation.
Register now online here
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