FG reaffirms commitment to tackling challenges hindering business growth
The Federal Government through the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing challenges hindering business growth in the country.
Zahrah Mustapha-Audu, the Director-General of PEBEC, stated this in a video message in Gombe on Tuesday during PEBEC’s nationwide tour to the state.
Mustapha-Audu said that the federal government is tackling such challenges to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s economic sector as well as improve the country’s business environment.
She stated that the Federal Government remained committed to attracting investment that would propel economic growth and prosperity for the benefit of Nigerians.
She stated that PEBEC’s tour was to engage critical stakeholders with the aim of building a business environment that works for entrepreneurs, for investors, and for the future prosperity of Nigeria.
“This tour is a central pillar of the State Action for Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Program, a transformative initiative co-designed with the World Bank to support and incentivize state-level reforms.
“The SABER Program aligns subnational efforts with our national vision to create a Nigeria that is easier, faster, and more transparent for businesses to thrive.
“The goal is to create a more conducive business environment, attracting investment, and driving economic growth across Nigeria,” he said.
Mustapha-Audu stated further that as part of the workshop public sector stakeholders’ capacity would be enhanced towards ensuring inclusive and effective implementation of reforms that had been designed.
She stated that the private sector engagements would be prioritised as a platform to listen to the voices of Nigerian businesses, which she described as “the true drivers of economic growth, job creation, and innovation.”
She said that reforms that would improve service delivery and directly impact the ease of doing business should not be a federal government’s effort alone, hence urged states to embrace the reforms to ease business operations.
On his part, Mr Manassah Jatau, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State restated the commitment of the state government in providing an environment conducive for businesses to thrive.
Represented by the state’s Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Malam Gambo Magaji, Jatau said that the administration of Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State had initiated reforms that had resulted in the growth of the business sector.
“Gombe has emerged as a beacon of innovation, transparency and strategic governance, championing reforms that have positioned the state as a leader in the ease of doing business.
“ Gombe State’s recognition as the number one state in the Ease of Doing Business ranking by the PEBEC Sub-National Survey is not by accident, it is the product of deliberate policies, political will and robust administrative reforms.”
He stated that the Yahaya-led administration has streamlined business registration processes, reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, digitalise land administration towards attracting investment into the state.
Jatau stated that the state has also created a stable macro-economic environment with predictable policies that inspire investor confidence.
According to him, the business climate has been reinforced by the rule of law, low crime rates and a forward-looking regulatory framework that continues to attract SMEs and large-scale investors alike.
A participant, Mr Musa Abdullahi, Head of Corporate Services at JEDC, Gombe State office commended the state government for initiating business-friendly policies that were attracting investments into the state.
Abdullahi stated that as a result, there had been increased demand for electricity which he said had resulted to more megawatts being wheeled to the state to support the growth of small-scale businesses in the state.
He commended PEBEC for engaging the private sector, adding that such would ensure inclusive economic growth for the country.
