The national president of the Pest Control Association of Nigeria, PECAN, Mr. Olakunle Williams, has raised the alarm over the adverse effect of multiple taxation on the growth and sustainability of the pest control industry in Nigeria.
This is as he also noted that climate change has significantly impacted pest control practices, stressing the need for practitioners to stay informed about emerging trends and evolving environmental conditions.
The PECAN president raised the alarm on Wednesday during the association’s annual mandatory training, held at MAN Centre, Wemabod Estate, Ikeja, Lagos.
The theme of the event is: “Building the Future of Pest Control in Nigeria: Adapting to Climate Change, Embracing Technology, and Promoting Professional Standards,” with the sub-theme: “Enhancing Sustainability Through Insurance, Contracts and Effective Risk Management.”
Speaking on the importance of the occasion, Williams said, “We are holding our annual mandatory training programme, which is compulsory for all our members. Today also doubles as our AGM. We use this forum every year to discuss trends in pest control.”
He said the training, this year, was focused on the impact of climate change on pest behaviour.
He added: “We hold this training annually to sensitise the public, practitioners, and the government. Climate change is beyond conferences; we must examine our local realities. Mosquitoes, for instance, cause malaria, and as an association, we are committed to reducing their prevalence.”
Williams disclosed that PECAN was in partnership with several agencies and organisations, including the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA; Environmental Control Association of Nigeria, ECAN; Ogun State Ministry of Environment; Kano State Ministry of the Environment, Rotary Club, and malaria-focused groups.
He said the association would continue to engage stakeholders and expressed optimism that government authorities would respond to their concerns.
Commenting on new environmental regulations recently introduced by the government, Williams said enforcement remained the responsibility of the authorities.
“A monitoring committee has been set up by the government to ensure compliance with these new policies, and we want this replicated across all states,” he said.
He, however, decried the problem of overlapping regulatory bodies and taxation layers.
“What we have in the country is multiplicity of control by different government agencies, and this is a major problem.
“Today, the local government comes; another day, another revenue agency appears; and then the Public Health Department of the Ministry of Health also shows up,” he said.
According to him, these duplications impose multiple taxes and levies on members, hindering the ease of doing business.
“The government needs to address this. Multiple taxation is discouraging practitioners. We have federal regulations already, but many states introduce additional laws, making the job more difficult. If the government can streamline these processes, life will be much easier for our members,” he said.
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