The Acting Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba has expressed the administration’s commitment to removing barriers that hinder business establishment and growth in the state.
He stated this during the maiden edition of the Niger State Public-Private Dialogue (NSPPD), organised by the Niger State Investment Promotion Agency (NISPA) with the theme “Understanding and Improving the Niger State Business Environment” at the Government House in Minna, the state capital.
The Acting Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alh. Abubakar Usman said that the state government is dedicated to creating an enabling environment that will support businesses and also make available incentives as part of its New Niger Agenda to revive the life cycles of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to create jobs and contribute significantly to the state’s economic growth.
He disclosed that the State government has simplified regulatory frameworks and improved the overall ease of doing business in the State by reducing permit processing time by 50% and introduction of a single-window clearance system, which allows businesses to complete all necessary paper work in one place, significant reduction in bureaucratic constraints.
The Acting Governor further stated that the state government recently offered land with a Certificate of occupancy to Sahad Store, 4U, Shegalinku, H-medix and Shoprite to establish a branch in Minna adding that they are deliberate policies designed to make the State easier and more accessible place to start and grow a business.
While noting that the stakeholders’ engagement is strategic for continuous improvement in the ease of doing business in the state, Comrade Garba assured that the state government will continue to collaborate with the private sector for feedbacks.
He commended the efforts of the Niger State Investment Promotion Agency (NSIPA) for the initiative, stating that it is a clear demonstration of the administration’s commitment to making Niger State a hub for businesses.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSIPA, Hajiya Amina Sanusi stated that the objectives of the session was to enhance the relationships among the MDAs in the state, determine the basis for investment climate reforms for enhanced state competitiveness, get feedbacks and discuss issues within the business environment.
She said the Agency is working towards improving the business climate in the state, and that it is also working in collaboration with other relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to realise the objectives of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms Program (SABER).
Hajiya Amina emphasised that collaborations between government Agencies and private companies are important as the state is endowed with immense opportunities awaiting exploration.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Team Lead, P3 Consulting Ltd, Mr. Nosa Osunde and the Vice President, and the Vice President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alh Liman Suleiman commended NSIPA for their effort in improving business environment in the state thereby assuring them of collaboration in the value chains of various sectors.
High points of the event were paper presentations on Investment Promotion and Role of Public-Private Sector in Improving the Business Environment of the State, as well as a panel discussion on issues revolving around the sustainability of businesses in the State.