The Edo State Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the state remains a haven for private business owners and investors in order to make their businesses thrive.
The state further assures that all encumbrances associated with the ease of doing business in the state are being removed.
The state commissioner, Ministry of Business, Trade and Cooperatives, Patrick Uanseru, stated this when he paid a working visit to the management of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc.
Hon. Uanseru said the purpose of the visit was to familiarize himself with the operations of the company and know its challenges with a view at fostering solutions in accordance with the vision of the state governor, assuring that the government was doing a lot at ensuring that all encumbrances to the ease of doing business were removed.
The state government is not ignorant of the challenges facing the agricultural sector, he said, adding that efforts are being put in place to collaborate with relevant government agencies, local government as well as other stakeholders as part of efforts at eradicating bottlenecks in the ease of doing business in the state.
The commissioner said since inception, the state government has put machinery in motion to abolish double taxation, illegal collection of government taxes, as well as eliminate the activities of touts on major roads within and outside the state capital, and warned that those still violating the order by the state government will be made to face the law.
The state government is passionate about empowering the agricultural sector, hence the massive investment in the sector, he said, adding that the palm oil industry has benefited most from this investment.
He assured that concerns raised by players in this sector will be given priority attention by the state government, which effect will be visible in the next couple of weeks.
The commissioner, while commending the role Okomu is playing in the state’s economy in terms of employment, payment of taxes and its corporate social responsibility (CSR), said the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration was committed to creating an enabling environment where business can thrive.
Dr. Graham Hefer, Managing Director, Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, while welcoming the commissioner and his team, appreciated the state government for its efforts at improving the agricultural sector and said management was ready to partner the state in improving the lives of its immediate communities.
Dr. Hefer noted that the state government’s vision in making Edo State an investment hub in the country was almost threatened by the activities of illegal and multiple taxations on private businesses, especially smallholder farmers, activities of touts on government roads as well as poor electricity supply.
The agricultural sector is blessed with the potentials that if given necessary and priority attention could be the sustainer of the nation’s economy, the Okomu boss said.
