The Enugu state government has restated its dedication to continuing the process of de-risking businesses and investments within the state, aiming to transform it into an economic hub.
The government emphasizes the importance of creating a business-friendly environment aligned with international standards, anticipating that this approach will lead to improved economic outcomes. The ultimate goal is to achieve the administration’s vision of increasing the state’s GDP from the current $4.4 billion to $30 billion, primarily driven by private sector investments.
Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, the Managing Director/CEO of the Enugu State Investment Development Authority, provided these assurances during the Public Sector Consultation Meeting, where the 2024 Enugu State Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP) was under review. The event, organized by the Authority, the Office of the State Focal Person on Ease of Doing Business Reforms, and the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), took place in Enugu.
Dr. Ogbu, also serving as the Focal Person on Ease of Doing Business Reforms and SABER, announced that the program was a collaborative effort involving the World Bank, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, and the State Governments. He highlighted the governing philosophy of the administration led by Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, emphasizing transparency, traceability, accountability, disruptive innovation, optimal performance, and participatory monitoring and evaluation.
Ensuring taxpayers that their funds would be used judiciously for the state’s benefit, Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo identified e-governance and transparency as the cornerstones of Governor Mbah’s administration.
The state is in the process of establishing a grievance resolution mechanism where investors can submit complaints or requests about their businesses through the One Stop Investment Centre at the State Investment House. This initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to promoting small and medium enterprises, as well as agriculture, with the aim of boosting the state’s GDP.
Dr. Ogbu-Nwobodo explained that the Draft Enugu State Business Enabling Reforms Action Plan (BERAP)-2024, focusing on eight business-enabling reform areas, aims to enhance the business environment by eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving the ease of doing business for the private sector, in line with Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s transparency mantra.
During the interactive session, participants from various chambers of commerce and business associations commended the proactive efforts of the Governor Mbah administration in transforming the state’s fortunes. They pledged to collaborate with the government.
The forum is expected to formulate an actionable plan, subject to confirmation and approval by the Enugu State Executive Council, which will be published on the state website for investors and the general public.
Key stakeholders in attendance included representatives from the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Enugu Coalition of Business and Professional Associations, 9th Mile Chamber of Commerce, and other relevant organizations.
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