APBN to Delta govt: Enact law to curb influx of quacks

The Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has called on the Delta State Government to enact a law to curb the influx of quacks and uncertified individuals delivering professional services in the state.

Rising from its 2025 retreat, which featured a public lecture and awards ceremony themed: “The Role of Professionals in the Successful Implementation of the Delta State M.O.R.E Agenda”, the APBN Delta State Chapter emphasized the need for a legal framework empowering professional bodies, in collaboration with government enforcement agencies, to tackle the issue.

Discussions at the retreat focused on the importance of collaboration between professionals and the Delta State Government in areas such as idea generation, human resource development, physical planning, spatial management, and efficient revenue generation for the state’s all-round development.

As part of the resolutions outlined in a communiqué issued and signed by the Chairman of APBN Delta State Chapter, Surv. Victor Ezie, and the Secretary, Mr. Felix Erure, professional bodies were urged to intensify advocacy on the dangers of engaging quacks and uncertified individuals in both the public and private sectors.

“The Delta State Government should ensure that only licensed professionals are allowed to practice, particularly in the public sector.

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Government should discourage the engagement of non-state actors and instead engage certified tax professionals in its revenue generation drive,” the communiqué read.

The group also urged the state government to urgently address the challenges of multiple taxation and the bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder the ease of doing business in the state.

With over 200 participants in attendance, delegates at the APBN retreat tasked the association to develop strategies that would ensure the state derives maximum benefit from its investment in training professionals within the civil service.

According to the communiqué, professional bodies in allied sectors should collaborate in a positive and progressive synergy, speaking with one voice in generating ideas to guide development and reviewing government policies, while offering professional advice where relevant.

The association was also advised to interface with the Delta State Government to establish a Research and Development Centre aimed at promoting innovative solutions to the state’s multifaceted developmental challenges.

“There is an urgent need to digitalize all ministries, departments, parastatals, and government agencies to ensure effective information tracking and proper data management through the engagement of ICT and allied professionals,” the communiqué stated.

The state government was further urged to collaborate with professional bodies to organize workshops aimed at training and retraining public staff on current global best practices for effective service delivery.

Delegates unanimously resolved that the Delta State Government should prioritize the commissioning of master plans, beginning with the Asaba Master Plan and the Warri/Effurun Master Plan, and subsequently extending to other cities and major towns.

These master plans, they said, would serve as structured blueprints to facilitate the actualization of the government’s M.O.R.E agenda and ensure continuity.

“While the government is improving road networks across the state, equal attention must be given to sanitation—especially through the provision of incinerators at strategic locations—for proper waste disposal and to attract investors,” the communiqué read.

Surv. Victor Ezie, Chairman of APBN Delta State Chapter, delivered the welcome address. Chief Solomon Ighrakpata, Executive Chairman of Delta State Internal Revenue Service, was represented by Mr. Paul Itawansa (Executive Assistant, Technical, to the Chairman) and spoke on the topic: “Government and Professional Partnership in Internal Revenue Generation.”
Town planner Paul Akporowho presented a paper on: “Master Plan as a Critical Document in Achieving Government Policies and Programmes.”

The retreat was attended by over 200 delegates, including chairmen and members of 21 professional bodies. Awards were also presented to distinguished professionals and individuals.