President Bola Tinubu has asked Qatari captains of industry to report any Nigerian official who demands any form of bribe before allowing them to do business in the country.
He insisted that Nigeria would no longer be held back by its past dotted with bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption that stifled the ease of doing business.
“Do not offer a bribe to any of our people, and if it is requested or taken from you, report to us. You will have access to me,” Tinubu said at the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha, on Sunday.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, revealed this in a statement he signed Sunday titled ‘President Tinubu to Qatari investors: Report to me of my officials who obstruct progress or ask for bribe; no deviation from path to prosperity.’
Tinubu also assured the international business community that Nigeria is ready for serious business, as his administration will deal decisively with any entrenched interests in the country that undermine investor confidence in the Nigerian economy.
He also pledged to remove all bottlenecks standing in the way of profitable and legitimate enterprise, saying, “Do not let perceptions become a hindrance to your will to invest. Nigeria is serious about revolutionising investment promotion.”
The President told Qatari investors that Africa’s largest economy and its systems are being reformed and upgraded, asking Qatar businessmen to report any government official who demands a bribe or any form of inducement at any point in their business endeavour moving forward with full assurance of their direct access to him.
“I am here to give you the assurance that reforms are going on; forget about whatever you heard in the past.
“Whatever is the obstacle or problem that some of you might have experienced; it is in the past because there is no obstacle in the future,” he assured.
Tinubu also assured investors that their money would find easy mobility in and out of the economy.
“We are removing obstacles today, and we are going to continue to remove all obstacles.
“We have done so much within nine months. And I assure you, it is free entry, and free exit.
“Your funds will flow smoothly into and out of our country. Bring your investments,” the President stated.