…unveils BERAP for 2024
Edo State recently hosted a pivotal private sector consultation forum aimed at amplifying economic prosperity through collaborative business reforms. The event, organized under the auspices of the Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO)-Ease of Doing Business Secretariat supported by the Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development for Decent Employment in Nigeria-GIZ-SEDIN Programme, brought together key stakeholders to delve into the crucial significance of business-enabling reforms in driving sustainable growth.
Presiding over the session, the chairman of the Edo State Ease of Doing Business Council and Commissioner Edo State Ministry of Finance, Adaze Kalu offered a comprehensive overview, highlighting the paramount importance of implementing reforms conducive to fostering a more business-friendly environment. She added that though the state scored low in the past two years’ ease of doing business ranking by PEBEC, it has recorded significant progress in certain areas which needs to be effectively communicated to the public.
Enumerating the effort of the state government in addressing some of the challenges businesses are facing in the state, the Commissioner noted: “We have really done a lot and some are work in progress. On road infrastructure for example, federal government roads across the six geopolitical zones are in bad state. As a state, we are working on 750 roads right now across the state and very soon, we will start commissioning some. It is important to note that we are now using tax credits to support road infrastructure. So, we have even acted smart to construct roads through tax credit.
“Another challenge is insecurity. Some parts of the state during the past years, you cannot ply them at night. But from the last few years, the government has done a lot in curbing the insecurity challenges while collaborating with the local vigilantes. In Edo State, we have a command and control center where surveillance is carried out. You can now ply our roads even at night.
“Do you see if you don’t discuss the progress and the work in progress on the government side, people will continue to have this perception. So, one other critical challenge is poor communication, poor stakeholders’ engagement. We need to come out more on television, radio, websites, and social media.’’
A chorus of perspectives resonated throughout the forum as various commissioners present including the Commissioner for Edo State Ministry of Trade, Business and Cooperatives, Hon. Patrick Uanseru and the Commissioner for Edo State Ministry of Environment and Sustainability, Hon. Joshua Omokhodion took the stage, articulating their insights and proposed strategies. These discussions ranged from regulatory frameworks to infrastructure enhancements, all aimed at bolstering the business landscape in Edo State.
Moreover, the forum laid the groundwork for the forthcoming year by discussing the 2024 Action Plan for Annual State Business-Enabling Reforms (BERAP). Participants engaged in delineating actionable steps and specific time lines for the implementation of these new strategies.
The session served as a melting pot for innovative ideas, fostering a spirit of collaboration between the public and private sectors. Participants engaged in dynamic exchanges, fostering an environment ripe for proactive measures and shared responsibilities to catalyse economic growth going into 2024.
The forum’s resounding message underscores the collective commitment to enact tangible reforms that will elevate Edo State as a preferred investment destination for investors.
The gathering which was facilitated by Kelvin Uwaibi, Managing Director Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO)-Ease of Doing Business Secretariat, not only underscores the need for collaborative efforts but also laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogues, setting the stage for future initiatives, especially the year 2024 aimed at propelling Edo State towards sustained economic prosperity through pragmatic business-enabling reforms.
Uwaibi revealed that Governor Godwin Obaseki has graciously approved the Edo State MSMEs Council adding that the council which will be inaugurated in the coming weeks is expected to facilitate regular dialogues with the private sector in achieving economic prosperity in the state.
The strategies discussed in the forum are aimed at improving the state’s performance in the Nigeria State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Program-for-Results. The SABER programme has to do with the $750 million International Development Association (IDA) credit to help Nigeria accelerate the implementation of critical actions that will improve the business enabling environment in states.
Looking at the importance of state-level reform as it concerns doing business, the government developed the SABER initiative, to accelerate the implementation of critical actions that improve the business enabling environment in Nigeria’s states. The government’s SABER programme builds on the successes of PEBEC. It aims to strengthen the existing PEBEC-National Economic Council subnational interventions by adding incentives like results-based financing to the states to support gaps in reform implementation.
SABER will support states to improve the efficiency of land administration, the regulatory framework for private investment in fibre optic infrastructure, the services provided by investment promotion agencies and PPP units, and the efficiency and transparency of government-to-business services.
Edo State Government’s efforts in some of these critical areas were revealed in the forum. These include: the Benin Enterprise Park; the thousand hectares of land allocated for Industrial Parks in the Edo North and Edo Central waiting for investors to develop; the Benin Production Centre; the Edo State Geographical Information System (EdoGIS); the Edo State Skills Development Agency (EdoJobs); the about 13-Small Claims Courts; the Edo State Multi-Door Court House among others which aims to sustain economic prosperity in the state.
Other speakers at the forum include: Nosa Obayowana, representing GIZ; Imalingmhe John Yesufu , Director General, Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), and Noma Iguisi, President of the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI).
Their emphasis centered on streamlining processes, reducing bureaucratic hurdles, and enhancing investor confidence to stimulate economic activities within the region.
Also important to mention are the new investors that also attended the forum. KITEGEN is an international investor specialized in wind energy generation. It uses wind to generate electricity. The company which is coming to invest in Edo State was represented by a team led by Hassiho Ippouto.
