…Engages stakeholders on business reforms
Precious Oham
Ekiti State government has reiterated its commitment to create a business friendly environment for economic growth and development in the State.
Ekiti State Commissioner of Trade, Industry, Investment and Cooperatives, Mrs Omotayo Adeola stated this on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti at the Stakeholders Engagement on Business Reforms in collaboration with Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency, EKDIPA, and Office of Community Communications.
She highlighted that the State government has provided several initiatives for business owners and entrepreneurs to thrive adding that a redress grievance mechanism has also been set-up by the State government.
Her words: “The program is really on ease of doing business in Ekiti. State Action on Business Reforms is a World Bank program. It is expected for us to know areas where things are tight for traders, manufacturers, industries and how the government can ease the impacts.
“There are a lot of reforms that the government has done. This stakeholders forum is to make them to be aware that solutions have come to some of the problems they are having.
“Part of the challenges facing business in Ekiti is access to credit and capital. I let them know several initiatives government has done and is continually doing that our traders, business people and entrepreneurs have access to capital.
“Through an Executive Order, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has set up the trade redress grievance mechanism. If anyone has issues, they can write to the trade desk.”
Also, the Director General, Office of Community Communications, Mrs Mary Omotosho explained that the aim of the stakeholders engagement is to reach out to residents at the grassroots level on the activities of the State government in encouraging businesses.
“The role is to facilitate the grassroots structure so that every activity of the governor on ease of doing business is spread out to the grassroots and our intention is that every grassroots partake in the benefits in ease of doing business.
“The message is simple to do a follow-up. The platform the government can give is what we have given to them. They should try as much as possible to do a follow-up.”
On her part, Kemisola Olusola, Director of Strategy and Marketing at EKDIPA reiterated the commitment of the State government in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Her words: “It is part of our mandate to attract investment into the State and we also facilitate investment. Part of the incentives is the tax holiday for setting up of business. There are loans facilities available and depending on the kind of investment you want to bring, the State government offers free land allocation because if you are bringing investment, you are going to create jobs for people and also improve the livelihood of people.
“The State government is very committed to making the investment process very seamless. There are lot’s of projects that are coming up from the scratch and lot’s of incentives are available in the State. Ekiti State is ready for business and we are leaving no stone unturned to make sure that businesses thrive in the State.”
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Ekiti East local government, Hon. Samuel Ojo and State Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) said that he will convey the message to his colleagues aimed at ensuring that people at the grassroots level are sensitized.
Ojo, who doubles as the National Treasurer of ALGON added that the State is on top in the ease of doing business noting that there is peace in the State for businesses to thrive.