Edo State has successfully held a training session on Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) reforms. The event took place at the One-Stop-Shop in Block B of the Edo State Secretariat Building.
The programme was attended by key stakeholders and liaison officers from various ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), aimed to enhance the business environment in Edo State through effective EoDB practices.
The session was facilitated by notable experts including Kelvin Uwaibi, Managing Director of Edo State Investment Promotion Office (ESIPO) and Secretary of the Edo State Ease of Doing Business Council; Edionwere Joel, Edo State Consultant on Investment Promotion and former Permanent Secretary; Nkem Muoghalu, Ease of Doing Business Specialist; Austin Akhabue, Functioning Director of the EoDB Secretariat; and Osaze Ogbomo, Team Lead of the EoDB Secretariat.
Bright Omorogbe, the technical adviser for the Edo State SABER Program, also played a pivotal role. Participants shared their experiences on successful reform implementation during their active service, providing valuable insights into the challenges and successes encountered. The session included an in-depth overview of EoDB principles, key indicators, and metrics, followed by a needs assessment for each implementing MDA.
The integration of SABER principles with EoDB was also discussed, highlighting the synergy between the two frameworks. In his closing remarks, Kelvin Uwaibi emphasized the importance of updating the central repository for business information, organizing consultations with the private sector, reviewing and updating the electricity law, and implementing a 90-day action plan to improve the business environment and customer satisfaction.
He also stressed the need for creating a service portal for government services and ensuring stakeholder engagement through a robust grievance redress mechanism.
The session concluded with several key recommendations aimed at enhancing the business environment in Edo State. It was agreed that ESIPO should be involved in all key programs and reform initiatives across MDAs, with all Service Level Agreements (SLAs) made accessible to the public via respective websites.
The Ministry of Public Safety and Security was advised to secure a short code number for businesses, while the Edo State Geographic Information System (EDOGIS) was encouraged to collaborate with ESIPO on the automation of the Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) to the service delivery portal being developed by Information Communication and Technology Agency (ICTA).
The importance of revalidating reforms by the private sector was also highlighted, along with the need for MDAs without websites to liaise with ICTA for website creation. The session underscored the significance of leveraging technology to streamline government processes and improve accessibility, prioritizing support for medium enterprises, and focusing on customer satisfaction.
Regular training on customer service management and the establishment of a response team to address issues promptly were also recommended.
A comprehensive communication strategy to inform citizens about government initiatives and reforms was deemed crucial, alongside the implementation of data-sharing systems similar to those in Estonia to enhance efficiency. Ministries were urged to maintain active and updated websites and social media pages, ensuring effective information dissemination.
The importance of conducting realistic and reflective assessments of reform outcomes and fostering inter-agency collaboration was also emphasized. In a move to improve communication with businesses, it was suggested that WhatsApp be used as an operational means, given the limited use of email among businesses. Linking all social media handles to MDA websites for information sharing, sending all data to the EoDB secretariat, and ensuring signboards for each MDA in the State Secretariat complex for easy identification were additional action points agreed upon.
Furthermore, the Edo State Ease of Doing Business Council has commended the Edo Specialist Hospital for introducing customer service and text message appreciation into its administrative procedures.
This initiative assists first-time visitors in quickly registering in the hospital’s database and sends text messages after doctor consultations for appreciation and feedback. Such initiatives align with the institutional and ease of doing business reforms being implemented by the Edo State Government.
The training session was a resounding success, providing a platform for strategic discussions and actionable recommendations aimed at enhancing the business environment in Edo State.
