PROMOTING A BUSINESS ENABLING ENVIRONMENT (bee) FOR MSME INFORMAL SECTOR IN RIVERS STATE
Grant Final Report NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) Grant agreement No. SACE-NDF-019 Grant Period of Performance: August 3rd, 2017 – September 30th, 2018
Figure 1: Sensitization and Project Launch April 26th, 2018 @PH City Council Hall
8th October 2018
This publication was prepared by NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW) for Chemonics International for activities completed under Contract No. AID-620-C-14-00001
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CONTENTS TECHNICAL ...... 3 SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES ...... 3 GOALS ...... 3 PROJECT OBJECTIVES ...... 3 Objective 1 - Capacity Strengthening ...... 3 Objective 2 - Advocacy and Engagement ...... 3 Objective 3 - Public Awareness ...... 3 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES ...... 3 ACTIVITIES THAT WERE EXPECTED TO BE CARRIED OUT...... 3 SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY ACHIEVEMENTS ...... 5 ONE DAY SENSITIZATION/PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR CLUSTER MEMBERS 6 DESCRIPTION OF ANY ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES NOT COMPLETED ...... 26 LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 27 CHALLENGES ...... 27 LESSONS LEARNT ...... 29 FINANCIAL ...... 31 DESCRIPTION OF GRANT ACTIVITY FUNDING ...... 31 EXPLANATION OF HIGHER OR LOWER THAN ANTICIPATED COSTS ...... 31
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TECHNICAL
SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
GOALS The overall goal of this project is to advocate for favourable taxation policies, procedures and processes that will create the enabling environment for women to conduct their businesses to curb the current ugly practices that encourage harassment and manhandling of market/business women by revenue collection agents.
It also seeks to get active government participation to support sustainable and inclusive economic growth for the disadvantaged groups such as women and girls. PROJECT OBJECTIVES
Promoting A Business Enabling Environment (BEE) For Women in The Informal Sector in Rivers State will help facilitate the emergence of clear policy framework that is favourable to the businesses of vulnerable women in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector in Rivers State and thereby ensuring an inclusive economy.
The BEE project which targets the Nano, Micro, Medium and Small-scale business women in the informal sector in River state had three main objectives as follows:
Objective 1 - Capacity Strengthening To increase the capacity of the local business women to advocate for conducive tax regulatory environment.
Objective 2 - Advocacy and Engagement To engage relevant Rivers state government agencies around policies on taxation, equitable allocation of stalls and access to finance for women in small businesses and zero incidence of touting and harassments of women in their business premises in the state.
Objective 3 - Public Awareness To increase awareness and rally public support on our issues using social and traditional media.
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES • Favorable taxation policies in place to prevent multiple taxation, tax injustice, touting and extortion practices. • Reduced harassment and manhandling of women in the informal business small and micro business enterprise. • Women in informal small and micro business sector can now access the much-desired small funds to upscale, grow and thrive in their chosen business ventures. • Equitable and fair allocation of shops and stalls in designated market places.
ACTIVITIES THAT WERE EXPECTED TO BE CARRIED OUT
Capacity Strengthening
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Objective 1: To increase the capacity of the local business women to advocate for conducive tax regulatory environment
2017 • Mapping of Cluster Groups • Sensitization/planning workshop for cluster members (1 day) 2018 • 1-day training on Leadership/ Conflict Management • Sensitization meetings of 2 markets (market women) in each LGA (4 meetings) to buy-in and to rally support for the project. • 2-day training on Policy Analysis and Interpretation for cluster members. • 1-day Quarterly Review meeting (3 times)
Advocacy and Engagement Objective 2: To engage relevant Rivers state government agencies around policies on taxation, equitable allocation of stalls and access to finance for women in small businesses and zero incidence of touting and harassments of women in their business premises in the state.
2017 • 2 Advocacy visits to relevant MDAs on taxation policy for informal sector / market stall allocation procedures. • Consultative meetings with relevant MDAs on Access to funds procedures for women in small business. 2018 1. Research of existing tax policies and levies in Rivers State and collection mechanisms and develop revised draft policies for adoption 2. Baseline Study on Harassment by Revenue Collection Agents in 2 LGAs and develop framework for monitoring moving forward 3. 1-day Debriefing of NNEW and Cluster Members on Research Findings 4. Validation meeting with target beneficiaries, cluster groups/government in 2 LGA`s (Obio/Akpor and PHALGA) 20 participants per LG 5. 2 days to Develop Draft Policy briefs for Engagement with Policy makers and other Stakeholders 6. 3 days to Develop Administrative procedure for harassment incident reporting and seeking redress for Market women 7. 3 days to Develop Administrative procedure for Equitable Shop Allocation for Market women 8. 3 days to Develop Administrative procedure for Access to Finance for informal sector business women 9. 5 days to Develop Informal Sector Taxation Policy 10. 2 Advocacy Meetings with the Governor of Rivers State on project advocacy issues 11. 2 Advocacy Meetings with Local Government Chairpersons in 2 LGAs to get support for taxation policy reform/harassment curbing/reporting procedures 12. 2 Advocacy Meetings within each LGA with local government revenue collection agents, LG revenue collection dept, HRHs to seek corporation for implementation of taxation/harassment policies and procedures 13. 2 Advocacy visits to relevant MDAs on taxation policy for informal sector and harassment to push for approval/implementation
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14. 6 Advocacy visits to 6 market leaders and executives for increased partnership and engagement.
Public Awareness: Objective 3: To increase awareness and rally public support on our issues using social and traditional media.
2017 1. Jingle production 2. Jingle airing to run for 1 month 3. Radio call talk shows in 1 station to run for 3 months (English & Pidgin)
2018 1. Photocopy and disseminate research reports 2. Develop IEC Materials (Posters, Handbills, T-shirts, Bulk SMS, Roll-up banner) 3. Print Policy brief 4. Print revised tax policy 5. Media conference to share research findings, recommendation and taxation policy framework 6. Radio call talk shows of 30 minutes each 1 station to run foe 8weeks in Rhythm FM PH 7. Sensitization of target beneficiaries on taxation policy and the incidence reporting process for harassment
SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY ACHIEVEMENTS CAPACITY BUILDING:
A. 5-day Mapping of Cluster Groups
Promoting a Business Enabling Environment (BEE) for women in the informal sector in Rivers state is a project that thrived and succeeded on the collaborative support of other organizations with similar objectives. In the project proposal, Intern the team had listed possible cluster member organizations to work with from Obio Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas (LGAs). The BEE team selected organizations to collaborate with based on credible recommendations and experience. The cluster organizations were expected to bring along some experience and value to the project as well as join to amplify our voices on our policy advocacy issue. To achieve our project objectives, NNEW as the anchor cluster worked with other identified clusters that are relevant to our overall project goal. A total of 9 organizations were mapped as follows:
1. African Women Leadership Organization (AWLO) 2. Arise for Gender and Livelihood Initiative (ALIVE) 3. Rivers State Market Traders Union (RISMATU) 4. Mile 3 market Association. 5. Mile 1 Market Association 6. Market Women Organization of Nigeria (MWO), Rivers Chapter 7. Rumuomasi Market Association 8. Obio Akpor International Market. 9. New Layout Market Association
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The purpose of this activity which held on September 11th, 12th, 27th, 28th and 29th, 2017 is to carry out a thorough mapping exercise of all identified clusters in other to familiarize ourselves with their own organizational objectives and ensure they fit into our project objectives. The selection of which Civil society organizations to work with premised on their ability to engage beneficiaries on the demand side at the grassroots level and the supply side of policy and decision makers. We also selected two women led cluster organizations across the two LGAs. Arise for Gender and Livelihood Initiative (ALIVE) situated at Obio Akpor LGA and the African Women Leadership Organization (AWLO) situated at Port Harcourt City LGA.
A total of three markets unions and one market women’s association from each LGA were selected. The Rivers State Market Traders union (RISMATU) led by the chairman, Chief Maxwell Nwala was selected as a key beneficiary umbrella body to work with.
A total of 34 persons (16 male and 18 female) representing the leadership, staff and members of the clusters were engaged throughout this activity.
Cluster members confirmed that they are really experiencing the challenges our project sought to address and all the clusters mapped continued to mobilize their members to support the advocacy goal throughout the life of the project. The BEE project teams now have a clearer understanding of the real issues, market structure and the leadership dynamics of our target beneficiaries.
The mapping exercise revealed a huge challenge in the leadership structure and functionality of the markets in the LGAs.
NNEW, as the anchor cluster had to integrate a capacity building program into the workplan on leadership and conflict management, leadership and team building. Working with structured, dynamic and united market leadership is key to the success of our project. The Rumuomasi market association is currently enjoying some level of an enabling environment to thrive in their business. This is highly attributed to leadership. Whose capacity have been enhanced through the project activities.
ONE DAY SENSITIZATION/PLANNING WORKSHOP FOR CLUSTER MEMBERS
The collaborative support of our selected cluster groups will function adequately when the cluster member organizations fully understand the issues, the objectives, the guidelines and they collectively come up with actionable strategies that will guarantee positive results and outcomes.
Participatory planning is key to achievements as clusters will understand and own the process from planning stage to execution of activities
The one-day workshop held on Tuesday the 26th September 2017 had representation from the market unions, civil society organizations, the media personnel and members of the anchor cluster, (NNEW).
The purpose of the sensitization and planning workshop was: ➢ To create adequate awareness of the various activities outlined in the NNEW SACE project and how they relate to our four advocacy objectives. ➢ To build good working relationship among the cluster members and foster a team spirit. ➢ To share the work plan and assign roles and responsibilities to cluster members.
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➢ To increase cluster, buy in to the overall objective of the SACE project.
A total of 30 participants (11 male and 19 female) representing ALIVE, AWLO, RISMATU, Market Women Association of Nigeria, Rivers State Chapter, Tax justice platform, media personnel, NNEW members, marine base market, Rumuomasi market, Mile 1 market, Mile 3 market, New layout market and Obio Akpor International market. We had one male youth and one female youth.
Three important working documents that would guide project team and clusters were shared with participants. They were the monitoring and evaluation plan, the advocacy plan and the Public awareness plan. Participants got an overview of what the major challenges currently facing the market leaders are. At this meeting, all realized that the only market that that is free of harassment from revenue collectors is the Rumuomasi market which was led by a woman.
Increased buy-in by cluster members was clearly expressed in their willingness to accept roles and responsibilities. There was also the increased level of understanding of the financial guidelines and project objectives and cluster members clearly understood that the project has a win-win approach and Do No Harm principle.
Sensitization for meeting stakeholders to buy-in into the project
This was modified to two activities: (Sensitization of markets: A: Sensitization of Markets and project Launch in PH City LGA. B. Sensitization of Markets in Obio Akport LGA)
Sensitization of Markets and project Launch in PH City LGA
A one-day sensitization program was held in the PH city LGA headquarters on Thursday April 26th, 2018. The main objective was to rally public support and attract government attention and commitment to our project. The program was well attended with over 265 registered participants. In attendance were the representatives of the six markets we engage as well as other markets leaders and traders who heard and came along on their own. There was massive mobilization of traders, media, civil society organization and the government. The various government authorities who were present during this mega sensitization grand launch however still maintains that the introduction of RIVTAMIS by the government will be a good advantage and will stop the porous nature of revenue collection in the state and finally will give the traders the knowledge on what to pay and whom to pay. Out of the 265 registered participants, 215 Adult females and 39 males. 11 Media persons attended.
In attendance were 8 Government Ministries, 8 media houses, 9 market traders associations, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), National Youth Service Commission (NYSC), Purple Vine Community and all our Civil Society Cluster Organizations.
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Figure 2: Sensitization &Project Launch April 26th, 2018 @ PH City Council Hall
Sensitization of Markets in Obio Akport LGA
This one-day sensitization in held in Obio Akpor Local Government Headquarters on Tuesday 22nd May 2018 with 429 participants. The objective was to enlighten the general public especially the market traders of NNEW’s project and seek their support to end multiple taxation on the traders and harassment of women in the local government. Obio Akpor International market, Rumuodumaya market and the surrounding markets were well represented. Of particular note, representatives from Rumuodumaya market decried that they are being harassed by men of the police force who collects levies arbitrarily from them and failure to comply causes them to confiscate or destroy their goods.
Mrs. Elizabeth Udogwu, a petty trader, spoke up for Rumuodumaya market emphasizing the important roles women need to play in protecting themselves against illegal tax collectors, by knowing what taxes are meant to be paid and avoid being intimidated by them.
The market women traders were encouraged to collectively push for necessary action in order to effect a change. Barr Debby emphasized that most times violence is reported against women but sadly the Police do not carry out due diligence on such reports to ensure that the rights of these victims (women) are protected, therefore there is need to create awareness and more sensitization. Women should speak up for issues that concerns them and though the issue of multiple taxation and harassment is true however more needs to be done to sensitize people on their rights as they pledged their commitments in strong partnership to the BEE NNEW project
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Figure 3: Sensitization and Project launch on May 22nd, 2018, at Obio Akpor LG Council Hall
4. 2-day training on Policy Analysis and Interpretation for cluster members
A 2 days Public Policy Analysis and Interpretation training was held for cluster members on 24th and 25thMay 2018. The objective was to build skills of the selected clusters representatives in understanding the basic theories, concepts and approaches to policy analysis and enhance the understanding of participants in policy formulation and public policy processes. Already a research had been carried out and we discussed our issues extensively and assessed the status of the implementation of the policies around them. 24 persons attended the training. At the end of the training the cluster decided to carry out a field survey at the different markets to ascertain how they viewed the current government policies on taxation.
As an outcome of the training, the cluster embarked on a more focused group informal research that is market specific to ascertain why road side trading is thriving despite the threats associated with it and the role of market leaders in addressing harassment. Could it be that the buyers are the reasons behind the roadside markets? Hence correspond sanctions can be proposed to govt as a way of curbing this menace. So, both buyers and sellers will face sanctions if engaged in trading in designated illegal areas. As these illegal traders are only responding to the behavior of the buyers. Public enlightenment will help address this and our markets will be the better for it In summary, the findings from our field survey tallied with the research report prior to this time. Other smaller markets such as the Rumuoke, Mgbuoba Markets also have similar issues with multiple levies. The public policy analysis training was very successful as it triggered more intensified interest in the cluster member organizations that also carried out the field surveys.
5. Three Quarterly Review Meetings NNEW held Three quarterly review meetings with her cluster member organizations. In each meeting, past activities were reviewed while intense planning and allocation of roles was carried
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out on the technical planned activities for the new quarter. Also, strategies for cluster expansion are also agreed on during this meeting. The quarterly review meetings held on the following dates: i. February 14, 2018 with 13 participants comprising 5 Male and 8 Females represented as follows: RISMATU -4, Rumuomasi Market -1, ALIVE -2, ACRID -1, NNEW -1, Rivers State Tax Justice Platform – 1, Program staff- 3. ii. May 11, 2018 with 12 participants comprising 2 Male and 10 Female represented as ACIRD- 1, ALIVE – 1, CADEC – 1, RISMATU – 2, FIDA -2, Volunteer – 1, Program Staff – 3, NNEW – 1. iii. August 6, 2018 with 10 Participants comprising 2 Male and 8 Female represented as NNEW -1, Volunteer -2, RISMATU -2, FIDA -1, GADA -1, Program Staff - 3
Figure 4: Quarterly Review meeting on Feb. 14th, 2018 at PIND Office
ADVOCACY & ENGAGEMENT
6. 6 Advocacy Meetings to 6 market leaders and executives for increased Partnership and Engagement
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The Business Women Advocacy team visited three main markets in Obio Akpor LGA namely
i. 15th March: Visit to Rumuodumaya market ii. 16th March: Visit to Rumuomasi market iii. 22nd march; Visit to Obio Akpor International Market
In Port Harcourt City LGA, the team visited
1. 12th March: Visit to Mile 3 market 2. 14th march: Visit to Mile 1 market 3. 21th march: Visit to New layout Town Market, Borokiri.
The executives of the Rivers State Market Traders Union, the market women leaders and the market masters were engaged and adequately sensitized on project objectives and expected outcomes. The result of these advocacy visits was the massive mobilization of nearly 300 market traders to the Project launch activity.
Figure 5: The BEE Cluster advocacy visit to Market Masters at Mile 3 Market on the 12th, March 2018.
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Figure:6 BEE Advocacy team, Visit to New Layout Market on March 21st, 2018
Figure:7 BEE Advocacy team, visit to Mile 1 Market leaders on March 14, 2018
7. Research of existing tax policies and levies in Rivers State and collection mechanisms and develop revised draft policies for adoption
A research was carried out on the status of the Rivers state existing tax policies, levies and the collection mechanisms for the informal sector Micro, Small and Medium Scale business with particular emphasis on market women in Obio Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local
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Government Areas. The findings of the research aided the cluster to develop favorable tax policies for adoptions in the state. The full research report has been submitted with key findings, recommendations and the framework for monitoring, moving forward.
Key finding from the research reveal that there is no organized mechanism for tax and levies collection at the local government level. This gives rise to multiple taxation and tax injustice meted on market traders as unauthorized revenue collectors come at will to the traders. Also, there is no clarity as to what to pay for, who to pay to and how much to be paid.
Although the Rivers State Government is currently implementing a Rivers State Tax Information Management System(RIVTAMIS), which is ICT based to curb multiple taxation at the state level, the local Government is still employing traditional methods.
The research strongly recommended a harmonized ICT based data driven and cashless system of tax and levies collection among the informal sector market traders.
8. Baseline Study on Harassment by Revenue Collection Agents and opaqueness in market stall allocation in 2 LGAs and develop framework for monitoring moving forward A baseline study was carried out on the incidences of harassment of women traders by revenue collection agents to assist the business women cluster to develop a framework for reporting and favorable policy document that will ensure a zero incidence of harassment, for possible adoptions in the state. The report identified the true causes of harassment, the persons involved and the economic, emotional and psychological effects it has on women businesses in the informal sector.
The research revealed that the informal sector business women sector is being harassed by both authorized and illegal revenue collection agents, including community cult boys and security agents. Reasons for the harassment include non-remittances of multiple tax/levies/fees which they are compelled to pay. The most affected are the small business women trading on the streets and at illegal spaces in the market. The nature of harassment includes forceful confiscation of goods, closure of business place, destruction of good and physically beating of the women.
The study reveals that available lock up shops are sometimes allocated to politicians and non-traders who rent them out at exorbitant rates and the petty traders cannot afford it. Therefore, they resort to trading in makeshift spaces which makes them an easy prey for unauthorized revenue agents.
Key findings showed that the women so harassed do not have any officially documented procedure to seek redress and there are no functional incident reporting centers even at Ministry of Women Affairs and at the Local Government areas.
The study therefore recommended that a policy be put in place to address issues of harassment and to set up functional incident reporting centers in the Ministry of Women Affairs and Rivers State Government should domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act 2015 as amended by NNEW and her collaborating organizations. There should be equitable and affordable shop and market stall allocation to actual traders.
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Government should construct less lock up shops and more low-cost stores, open table space, attachment shops.
9. Validation meeting with target beneficiaries
The objective of this activity was to get the stakeholders to officially validate the 2 reports presented by the research consultant. This meeting, which held on the 24th April 2018 with over 40 participants was well represented as we had participants from both Local Government councils, Ministries of Environment, Justice, Urban Development and the Nigerian Civil Defense. Market Associations, FIDA and CSO clusters were also present.
After the presentation by the consultants, participants expressed their opinions on the research findings and added more recommendations for input into the research reports.
The Port Harcourt local government council representative Mr. Jaja confirmed that Market Union leaders often connive with tax agents as most of the levies that are put in place by the local government are not gotten and so not accounted for.
The Deputy Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defense, Mr. Godwin Miebi, also pledged that going forward they will put in place surveillance over infrastructures in state and local government and checkmate the involvement of their staff if any. He explained that their aim is to protect the women selling in the market, their facilities and ever body that sells in the market. Furthermore, he explained that they also have an incident reporting unit known as Peace and Conflict Unit. He emphasized that moving forward he will write a report and also instruct that no civil defense officer should escort any revenue collection agent to markets or get involved in harassing women. He noted that the safety of women will be given priority as much as they can.
This validation program revealed that institutions need to be well strengthened. It also shows that if the market unions are strong they will build their capacity and every aspect of taxation covered as they will be well informed on taxes and levies that are meant to be paid by the traders.
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Figure 6: Validation of Research Findings on 24th April. 2018 at MAN House, Trans Amadi.
Figure 7: Validation of Research Findings on 24th April. 2018 at MAN House, Trans Amadi
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10. 2 days to Develop Draft Policy briefs for Engagement with Policy makers and other Stakeholders. NNEW and cluster organizations held a 2-day workshop to develop policy briefs for engagement with the policy makers and other stakeholders. The meeting which held on the 9th and 10th August 2018, had a total of 14 cluster members made up of 2 males and 12 females, who brainstormed and came up with 3 Policy Briefs as follows: i. Policy Brief on Equitable and Affordable Allocation of Market Stalls for Traders in Rivers State. ii. Policy Brief on Promoting Clear Cut Local Government Tax Policy for the Informal Sector Businesses in Rivers State. iii. Policy Brief on the Harassment of Informal Sector Business Women in their Business Premises. The policy briefs will serve a guide for seasoned advocacy and proactive responses to the Business Women Clusters objectives. It is majorly aimed at informing Policy Actors and relevant key stakeholders on issues that borders around multiple taxation, tax injustices, harassment and equitable allocation of shops.
11. 5 days to Develop Informal Sector Taxation Policy The Mayor of Port Harcourt City LGA, Mr. Victor Ihunwo, nominated Mr. Emeka Orike a staff of the revenue department, while the Chairman of Obio Apor LGA, nominate Mr. Henry Bekwele Amadi to work with the cluster from August 30, to September 5, 2018 to develop draft Informal Sector Taxation Policy for adoption by the Local Government Areas.
The Draft taxation policy highlighted the challenges with the current revenue collection mechanisms, stressing the fact that Rivers State is losing money that should have be ploughed back into the development of the Local government, while also creating an enabling environment for informal sector businesses to thrive. The taxation policy proffered a unified data driven, digitalized system of revenue collection that will end multiple taxation and levies, increase the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the LGAs, eliminate the louting and touting activities of illegal revenue collectors and significantly reduce the incidences of harassment of women traders. A total of 14 persons, made up of 5 male and 9 females participated. The draft taxation policy has been validated and submitted for possible adoption by the two Local Government Areas.
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Figure 8: Cross Section of the team drafting Informal Sector taxation policy
12. 3 days to Develop Administrative procedure for Access to Finance for informal sector business women.
From September 10, 2018 to September 12, 2018, the Director, Women Affairs, Dr. Camellita Agborugbere, the Director, Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS), Mr. Emi Ikalaso and the Accountant, Mr. Monday all in the Ministry of Women Affairs worked with the cluster to develop draft Administrative Procedure on Women’s Access to Finance for the informal sector business women. A total of 13 persons comprising of 3 males and 10 females participated.
The procedure explained the concept of gender, inclusion and women participation in access to finance and enumerated the guidelines for the functioning of the technical committee, criteria for funds application and control of funds allocated for the informal sector business women amongst other guideline sections. Due to the educational level of the average woman trader, a help desk would be created to adequately respond to the queries on processes and procedures to access funds.
In the quarterly report of April to June, it was mentioned that the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, published in the news that he allocated 200 million naira to be given out as grants to women traders in Rivers State. The Ministry of Women Affairs was given the responsibility to profile prospective recipients of the grant. Due to lack of administrative procedure to handle this responsibility, forms were given out arbitrarily through many other organizations for the same purpose and till date, the grant has not been given out as the documentation and profiling process was cumbersome and there was no way of determining duplicity.
The 2 Directors from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Camellita Agborugbere and Mr. Emi Ikalaso were excited that they can finally have a working document which they will push up to the State Governor for adoption for the current and any other future loans or grants for women traders.
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13. Administrative procedure for harassment incident reporting and seeking redress for Market women
The Ministry of Women Affairs team made up of Dr. Camellita Agborugbere and Mr. Emi Ikalaso, also participated with the cluster to develop Administrative Procedure for Harassment Incident Reporting and Response for the Informal Sector women traders, from September 17th to 19th 2018. A total of 14 persons made up of 4 males and 10 females participated.
The main objective of this Administrative Procedure is to provide adequate information, guidelines and documentation on the reporting of the incidences of harassment of traders and subsequent intervention.
Research carried out in markets within Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt City LGAs shows that women dominate the informal sector and constitute a high percentage of the population that engage in informal businesses, like petty trading, artisans. These cases of harassments have led to loss of their source of livelihood, business stagnation, permanent disability, hardship to the family and even death in some cases.
The research report and our direct observation showed the absence of functional incident centers and reporting processes and procedures. Hence, women who are being harassed resort to police or live with the situation. This procedure seeks to facilitate and provide an adequate guideline to help women in the case of harassment and intimidation.
The administrative procedure will provide adequate guidelines for the personnel and the authorities at the Incident reporting centers and the victims, finally there is a known procedure for women to seek redress, have a fair hearing and obtain justice. It also contains the operational manual for use by the Gender Desk Officers in the Local Government Areas.
This document is at the core of the problem statement set out at the inception of the project. It is therefore highly recommended that NNEW, as the facilitating Business Membership Organization (BMO), should ensure that this Administrative Procedure is properly adopted, implemented and sustained through advocacy and collaborations with the Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs.
Figure 9: Cross Section of the participants at the 3 days development of admin procedure for harassment Incident reporting 18 | P a g e
14. 3 days to Develop Administrative procedure for Equitable Shop Allocation for Market women.
The cluster also worked with the staff of the Local Government and the Ministry of Environment to develop draft Administrative Procedure for Equitable and Affordable Market Stall Allocation. The 3 days activity took place from September 20th to 22nd, 2018. A total of 13 persons comprising of 4 males and 9 females participated. This has also been validated and presented for adoption by the Local Government authorities.
Research has shown that the surge of movement of women population into the urban area from the rural areas of Rivers State, as a result of insecurity and communal crisis that emerged and ravaged their communities has increased the trading activities in the urban areas. Market stalls in Rivers State are not always allocated in a coordinated manner, so that actual traders are denied affordable trading spaces, which has increased trading on illegal spaces. There is an ongoing drive by the government to move traders out of the streets and illegal spaces. There is therefore an urgent need to create more stalls and appropriately reintegrate displaced traders into these market stalls. It has also been observed that some markets are properly built but located in isolated areas. This has resulted to the markets not being fully utilized.
The main objective of this administrative procedure is to provide the relevant authorities with documented guidelines to properly co-ordinate and allocate market stalls in a fair and equitable manner for the traders in the informal sector
The concept of safe space for market women traders was emphasized in the document, as a secured, affordable business space to avoid unnecessary exposures and hazards and should also be accessible to the buyers and traders. This implies that it should be located where there is patronage not in an isolated and unsecured areas.
One of the prominent markets, the Fruit Garden market located at DLine axis of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, was completely razed down by fire on the 27th of September 2018. The Rivers State Governor, Barr. Nyesom Wike made a public pronouncement to rebuild the market immediately. This administrative procedure is timely, and the Business Women Cluster should push for its adoption. The procedure when adopted and implemented will address the issues, challenges and the discrimination faced by the nano, micro and small women traders in market stall allocation in Rivers State.
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Figure 10: The team that developed administrative Procedures for Equitable Market Stall Allocation
15. 2 Advocacy Meetings with Local Government Chairpersons in 2 LGAs to get support for taxation policy reform/harassment curbing/reporting procedures
The advocacy visit to the Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Honorable Victor Ihunwo on the 15th August 2018 and to the Chairman Provide name of Obio Akpor City Local Government Area on 17th August 2018, yielded amazing result as their strong commitment made it possible to proceed to tax policy drafting activities as well as setting up of gender desks in the LGAs. The Mayor committed to ensure that the issue of harassment of women in the LGA is curbed to the barest minimum. He requested the cluster to work with the Deputy Mayor, Mrs. Fiberesima.
Figure 11: Advocacy Visit to the Chairman, Obio Akpor LGA at the Council
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Figure 12: Advocacy Visit to the Mayor of Port Harcourt City LGA
16. 2 Advocacy Meetings within each LGA with local government revenue collection agents, LG revenue collection dept, HRHs to seek cooperation for implementation of taxation/harassment policies and procedures. The team made advocacy visit to the Head of Local Government (HLGA) Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Mr. Johnson Ogbuagu on 24th August 2018 to seek the LG cooperation and buy in with respect to the proposed policies and procedures to be drafted. An early collaborative meeting was held with FIDA on Incident Reporting Centers on 20th August 2018 to ensure smooth running of incident reporting centers when set up.
Figure 13: Advocacy visit to the HLGA of Obio Akpor LGA
1. 2 Advocacy visits to relevant Ministries and Departments (MDAs) on taxation policy for informal sector and harassment to push for approval/implementation
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The advocacy team visited the Ministry of Urban development on 20th August 2018, the Ministry of Women Affairs on 28th August 2018 and to Ministry of Environment on 20 September 2018. The strongest commitment came from the Ministry of women Affairs who affirmed to supervise and ensure the functionality of the Gender Desk offices and the Help Desk. Dr. Camellita Agborugbere committed to work with the cluster to push for the adoption of policies that are favourable to the women’s wellbeing.
Figure 14: Advocacy Visit to the Perm Secretary and Directors, Ministry of Urban Development
Figure 15: Figure Advocacy Visit to House of Assembly to see, House Committee Chair, Women Affairs,
PUBLIC AWARENESS
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1. Media conference to share research findings, recommendation and taxation policy framework
A one-day media conference was held on the 18th April 2018 in MAN House hall, at Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt. The objective is to sensitize the media community about the ongoing project in Rivers state on multiple taxation and harassment of the nano, micro, small and medium scale informal business women in Obio Akpor and PH City LGAs. We also shared the preliminary findings of our research and we requested their partnership and media support to ensure the news of our projects is adequately brought to the government and public notice. A total of 13 media houses were represented comprising 2 TV stations, 5 Print houses, 4 Radio stations, 1 blogger and 1 women-based media association. They were sufficiently sensitized and invited to our mega sensitization. We have since received a number of newspaper news, radio news and featured on Ehidina’s Wazobia ‘market people’ program for 3 times.
• Wazobia FM Thursday 26th April 2018, 2pm to 3pm Session with Ehidiana with the main topic of discussion being our project and the Project Launch. • Business Day Newspaper, of Friday, 27th April 2018 page 30 • Wazobia FM Thursday 10th May 2018, 2pm to 3pm Session with Chief Nwala, President of Rivers State Market Traders Union. • Wazobia FM Thursday 17th May 2018, 2pm to 3pm Session with Chief Nwala, President of Rivers State Market Traders Union. • Wazobia FM Thursday 24th May 2pm to 3pm. Session with Mrs. Temitayo Ojesanmi, Chairperson, NECA’s Network of Entrepreneurial Women (NNEW). • Garden City Radio 89.9FM, 28th August 2018, 9.05am to 11am, Life discussion with Temitayo Ojesanmi and Nancy Iheduru on the Square Table program with Asher Benson • Business Day Newspaper, of May 12th, 2018 page 10
Figure 16: Media conference on 18th April 2018 at MAN House, Port Harcourt
2. Print Policy brief/revised tax policy
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The 3 Policy briefs developed under this project, were printed for engagement with policy decision makers. 30 copies each were printed.
3. Sensitization of target beneficiaries on taxation policy and the incidence reporting process for harassment
On the 28th of September 2018, a one-day sensitization was held for the beneficiaries. The aim was to share and review the informal sector taxation policy and the other three administrative procedures in other to allow for questions, inputs, feedbacks and comments. It was also a validation meeting since the documents were jointly developed by the business women cluster and the government representatives.
23 persons were in attendance. Obio Akpor LGA, Port Harcourt City LGA, Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Environment were all represented. The Gender officers for the two LGAs were inaugurated by Dr. Camellita Agborugbere, who is the Director, Women Affairs of the Ministry of Women Affairs. She also read the roles and responsibilities to the gender desk officers and the ministry of Women Affairs.
The Vice Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Hon Mrs. Chinyere Agbara was in attendance as she was presented with the printed copies of the Policy Briefs. The Director, women affairs, Dr Carmelita Agborugbere suggested during the review of these documents that the cluster should do more sensitization and awareness to traders in markets so that markets that are underutilized should be put into efficient use.
Figure 17: Presentation of Policy Briefs to the Vice Chairman, Obio Akpor LGA
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Figure 18: Induction of Gender desk officers by Dr. Camellita, Director, Women Affairs on Sept. 28th, 2018.
Figure 19: Group Photo with OBALGA and PHALGA participants
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Figure 20: Closing formalities at the Sensitization Program of Sept 28, 2018
DESCRIPTION OF ANY ACTIVITIES/MILESTONES NOT COMPLETED The following activities were not carried out.
i. Research on existing access to finance by government for informal traders/artisans (MSME) including current levels of access and develop recommendations for implementation: This activity was put off due to the short duration of the project and we needed to carry out two research work that will address two of our major objectives which is the issue of multiple taxation and the harassment of women traders. The non- completion of this activity did not impact on the overall goal of the project because the two researches carried out on multiple taxation and harassment of women also contained some valuable findings on access to finance by government for informal traders/artisans that enabled the cluster and government officials to draft an Administrative Procedure for Access to Finance for informal sector business women from September 10-12, 2018. The 2 Directors from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Camellita Agborugbere and Mr. Emi Ikalaso were excited that they can finally have a working document which they will push up to the State Governor for adoption for the current and any other future loans or grants for women traders ii. Photocopy and disseminate research reports: The two research reports on multiple taxation and Harassment were voluminous with over 60 pages each so due to time constraints, the project cluster concentrated on developing policy briefs from the research reports which was actually a summary of key findings of the reports that was more handy and had fully and adequately articulated the project advocacy issues to get quick responses from the government and other stakeholders. iii. Jingle production: We could not carry out this activity due to time constraints iv. Jingle airing to run for 1 month: This was removed because the radio program was redesigned to be only a talk program.
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v. Radio call talk shows in 1 station to run for 3 months (English & Pidgin): NNEW has already completed the procurement process for this activity but could not carry it out. NNEW is unable to go ahead with this due to time constraints. vi. 2 Advocacy Meetings with the Governor of Rivers State on project advocacy issues: Attempts were made to see the governor. Letters were written and submitted but we could did not receive a response or invitation to visit. NNEW and the Business women cluster will explore other ways such as going through Special assistants, special advisers, or the first lady of Rivers State.
The non-completion of Jingle production and Jingle airing which was aimed at creating awareness on the cluster`s advocacy issues did not affect the overall goal of the project because media cluster members provided radio and television platforms for the cluster to raise awareness on their advocacy issues and galvaniize public support for their project evidenced by the grand support the project had from stakeholder. Members of the cluster appeared severally on Wazobia FM and Gardencity FM Radio Talk Show on the goodwill of media cluster members to share information on their project as part of the stations normal programme activities.
Also the inability to secure direct engagement with the Governor had no significant impact on the realisation of the overall goal of the prject as the cluster had engagements with the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Civil Society Relations Dr Otunya and Mrs Victoria Nyethe the Rivers State House Committee Chair on Women Affairs who committed to share the cluster issues with the Governor.
LESSONS LEARNED AND RECOMMENDATIONS CHALLENGES • The program staff did not have a conducive office accommodation to work in the first six months of the project from August 2017 to February 2018. However, in February 2018, NNEW was able to secure an office space through the SACE funding. • Funds received at project inception in August 2017 was exhausted by October 2017, next funding was received on 6th February 2018. Delay in funding for project activities was due to prolonged investigation and the inability of the NNEW program and finance staff to adequately document the procurement processes, and get the necessary approval on financial retirements especially on the procurement of ICT equipment made since October 2017.
During this period, we had to resort to non-budgeted activities to increase awareness of our issues, build alliances and rally support for our project. Such visits include the following among others, the meeting with a coalition of Civil Society Organizations with 68 persons in attendance, Advocacy Visit to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civil Society Relations, Advocacy Visit to FIDA as well as participating on Stakeholders Workshop on VAPP with 92 persons in attendance. The alliances built at this time formed the strong cluster collaboration NNEW enjoyed throughout the project.
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Figure 21: Advocacy Visit to International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) at NBA House Port Harcourt
• The cluster experienced difficulty in getting appointment with the Executive Governor of Rivers State. Letters were written to the appropriate quarters, but we did not receive any invitation. However, since we had audience at the Local Government Level, we maximized the opportunity to achieve a significant part of our objectives. • The cluster was already making some reasonable progress to reach the Executive Governor of Rivers State, through the Special Adviser to the governor on Civil Society Relations, Dr. Thom Otuya. He made efforts to discuss the project with the governor and made strong public commitments to follow through the project gets adequate attention. Unfortunately, Dr. Otuya died in the month of July and we lost our strongest link to the governor. Until the end of the project, we were unable to get a quick replacement to link us up directly with the Executive Governor of Rivers State. • Poor picture quality for reporting due to lack of a good functional camera. Most of the times, pictures were taken with mobile phones during activities. • We could not implement our radio talk call in program due to time constraints. • The beneficiary cluster, Rivers State Market Traders Union, were semi educated, not tech savvy and were not conversant with the use of internet and the social media. It was not easy to carry them on social media engagements. However, with lots of one on one capacity building, some of them were encouraged to get smart phones and they could communicate with basic WhatsApp such that they joined the cluster’s WhatsApp group and participated as much as they could. • The Business Women Cluster was not on the Starnet during the project life and at such NNEW could not map the organizations they networked and collaborated with. • The Executive Governor of Rivers State launched the Rivers State Tax Management Information System (RIVTAMIS) to curb multiple taxation in the state but there was not enough information on the internet to explain how it integrates the Local Government taxes and levies.
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Several informal visits, letters and calls were made to the office of the chairman, Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) but they declined any form meeting and also claimed they do not have adequate information on the RIVTAMIS except for a few messages on a handbill flier. They said RIVTAMIS operates as an app and they too do not have enough information for us. This is rather frustrating for the cluster as information on the internet about RIVTAMIS is not detailed enough to see how it affects the Local Government taxes. There is lack of clarity on the RIVTAMIS from RIRS. LESSONS LEARNT • The current government is waking up to the issues of multiple taxation but enough is not yet done to curb the effects of multiple levies in the market. • The women who are often harassed and over laden with multiple levies are those trading at the wrong designated places. Traders who own shops and inside the market simply pay agreed levies and stay safe within their shops. • More than 90% of traders on illegal selling spaces are women. • Cult groups, touts and even the police are among those who collect illegal levies. We realised that the police collect levies from Rumuodumaya market traders and has on several occasions thrown their wares into the gutter and in some cases poured kerosene on their goods. • The nature of the harassment meted on these women include physical assault like the case of a woman the cluster advocacy team interviewed in Mile 3 market, who was beaten up and injured, her clothes torn, and we also saw her swollen ankle caused by the beating from the touts. • The women on the roadside and wrong places cannot afford the exorbitant prices of market stalls. Government has to built new markets at Rumuokoro, but it is still locked because of the high cost. • Low cost affordable open plan shops seem to be the way out to get the traders off illegal trading spaces. • Always look out for any window of opportunity. • Building more strategic, strong and influential alliances is key to the success of our project. • Ensure that all team members including all staff are competent on the job otherwise one person’s incompetence can jeopardize the effectiveness of the project. • Issue Learning workshop revealed that Rivers State Waste Management Agency, a sub agency from the ministry of Environment are actually involved in the extorting money from the traders and harassing them on non-compliance
RECOMMENDATIONS The Business women cluster has created a deep interest in a wide range of stakeholders, who desperately wants to commit to see a positive change created by the Government by promoting a business enabled environment for the informal sector traders. The following are therefore recommended:
1. NNEW should ensure that the Business Women Cluster continue to pursue the SACE project objectives through targeted advocacy initiatives and collaborative engagements of Policy decision makers. 2. NNEW should work with FIDA and the Ministry of Women Affairs to develop a training module for the Gender Desk Officers and ensure the functionality of the Gender Desk Offices.
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GRANT SUCCESS STORIES
i. GENDER DESKS (INCIDENT REPORTING CENTERS) SET UP IN 2 LGAS The Research conducted and validated by NNEW indicated that there were no functional centers where women can report the cases of harassment in business premises and nowhere to seek redress. Prior to this project in Rivers State, the attention and intervention by FIDA and other Civil Society Organizations on Violence Against women, focused mainly on the aspect of domestic and sexual abuse. There were no intervention programs addressing the economic and physical violence against women traders in their business premises. Through the approval of the Local Government Chairmen, The Business Women Cluster has successfully set up of incident reporting centers at the 2 pilot Local Government areas, known as Gender Desks. The Gender Desk Officers were inaugurated on September 28, 2018 by the Director, Women Affairs of the Ministry of Women Affairs.
FIDA has committed to work in partnership with the cluster to train the Gender Desk Officers, while the salaries of the Gender Desk Officers will be the sole responsibility of the Local Government.
An organizational chart for the running of the Gender Desk Offices has been developed to show the channels of authority and communication between the Gender Desks, the LGAs and the Ministry of Women Affairs. The following are the names of the Gender Desk Officers inaugurate on September 28, 2018.
1. Mrs. Boma Brown for Port Harcourt City LGA. 2. Wilson Elsie Igonda for Obio Akpor LGA 3. Gender Desk Officer for Ministry of Women Affairs yet to be submitted.
It is noteworthy that four of our cluster organizations are now ready to set up or strengthen existing Gender Desks in their offices to include the aspect of the harassment Incident reporting. They are, Gender and Development Action (GADA), Arise for Gender and Livelihood Initiative (ALIVE), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) and African Women Lawyers Association (AWLA).
ii. INPUT INTO THE VILOENCE AGAINST PERSONS PROHIBITION ACT 2015 There are no laws specifically dealing with the issues of harassment against women traders. NNEW and collaborating cluster successfully included an amendment to specifically address the harassment and economic violence against traders into the VAPP ACT which has passed the 1st reading with the Rivers state House of Assembly. We are collaborating with FIDA and other CSOs to push for its domestication. When adopted it will address the issues of harassment in business premises. iii. INFORMAL SECTOR TAXATION POLICY One informal Sector Taxation Policy has been developed for adoption by the Local Government. The Head of Revenue in Obio Akpor LGA, Mr. Henry Bekwele Amadi, committed to personally drive the process to see its adoption as he expressed that the implementation of the policy will end multiple taxation, significantly increase the Local Government IGR, end louting and touting activities as well as eliminate the harassment of women traders.
iv. POLICY BRIEFS
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Three Policy Briefs were developed, and the beneficiaries now have some ready hands on booklet for engagement with relevant stakeholders. They are as follows:
a. Policy Brief on Equitable and Affordable Allocation of Market Stalls for Traders in Rivers State. b. Policy Brief on Promoting Clear Cut Local Government Tax Policy for the Informal Sector Businesses in Rivers State. c. Policy Brief on the Harassment of Informal Sector Business Women in their Business Premises.
v. Administrative procedures Three administrative Procedures on: a. Access to Finance by Informal Sector Women Traders (domiciled in Ministry of Women Affairs). b. Incident Reporting Process for the Harassment of Women Traders and Responses. (Domiciled in the two LGAs and Ministry of Women Affairs.) c. Equitable and Affordable Market Stall Allocation (domiciled in the two LGAs)
vi. RESEARCH REPORTS Two Researches were commission and validated. Research topics are: a. Research on Multiple Taxation and Revenue Collection Mechanisms b. Research on the harassment of Women traders and Incident Reporting Centers
FINANCIAL DESCRIPTION OF GRANT ACTIVITY FUNDING The grant was fully funded by the SACE project and 100% of the project activities were therefore funded by the grant. The grant was used to pay for staff salaries for three key staff to include the program manager, programs/M&E officer and an Accountant during the period of the grant. Also, other Direct costs (ODCs) like communications (internet and telephone), expendable supplies, utilities, generator maintenance, bank fees, local transportation for the office, office rent and insurance for office items purchased i.e. laptops, camera et al. All activities listed above was also funded by the grant. The grant was also used to fund the procurement of some equipment and furniture as listed in the fixed asset register.
SUMMARY OF GRANT ACTIVITY COSTS AND PAYMENTS STANDARD GRANT
Major Line Item Chemonics Total Grant Budget Total Liquidated Variance Action Required Advanced Commitment Salaries ₦4,868,115.39 ₦4,868,115.39 ₦4,868,115.39 ₦0.00 Sum of Other Direct Costs ₦804,164.62 ₦839,831.68 ₦839,831.68 ₦0.00 ₦445,617.06 to be Activity Delivery ₦4,614,700.00 ₦3,833,082.94 ₦4,278,700.00 -₦445,617.06 paid to NNEW Goods & Materials ₦1,370,500.00 ₦1,370,500.00 ₦1,370,500.00 ₦0.00 Total ₦11,657,480.01 ₦10,911,530.01 ₦11,357,147.07 -₦445,617.06
EXPLANATION OF HIGHER OR LOWER THAN ANTICIPATED COSTS Six activities that were not completed as explained earlier include the following: ➢ Research on the existing access to finance by government for Informal traders ➢ Photocopy and disseminate research reports ➢ Jingle production 31 | P a g e
➢ Jingle airing ➢ Radio call talk show and ➢ 2 Advoccay meetings with the Governor
Most of the activities except for 2 Advocacy meetng with the Governor were replaced and approved budget for the activities was realigned to execute the drafting of administrative procedures on access to finance, equitable and affordable Market Stall Allocation and Harassment Incident reporting and to develop Informal Sector Taxation Policy.
All the line items and individual cost were within the approved grant budget and no budget line item was higher or lower than 10% of the proposed cost.
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