DELTA GOVT KEYS INTO “EASE OF DOING BUSINESS” PROGRAMME

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As part of its drive towards promoting a business friendly environment, the Delta State Government has keyed into the Ease of Doing Business programme as stipulated by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).

The Chairman, Delta State Investments Development Agency (DIDA) Mr. Paul Nmah stated this at the Inaugural Meeting of the Ease of Doing Business Committee (EODBC) and Sensitization of Focal Persons held at the Unity Hall, Asaba.

From left Mr. Nnamdi Offor, NIPC, Olorogun Lucky Oghene-Omoru DG DIDA, Mr. Paul Nmah Chairman DIDA at the Inaugural meeting of EODBC and Sensitization of Focal Persons held at the Unity Hall, Asaba

According to Mr. Nmah, Delta State Government through DIDA which is its Investment Promotion Agency had been working closely with relevant MDAs and stakeholders to achieve set goals.

He said that the focus is to get the business environment working and friendly through extensive collaboration with all organs of Government charged with the responsibilities of regulations and certifications.

Mr. Nmah commended His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for introducing numerous programmes and policies geared towards making Delta State the Investors’ haven.

He stated further that because of the enabling environment existing in the State, DIDA had attracted many investments like, Asaba Ultra-Modern Mechanic Village and Auto Parts, Modern Trailer/Tanker Park at Ekpan, Floating Liquefied Natural Gas, Warri, Stallion Auto Keke Tricycle Assembly Plant, Okpanam, Delta Rest Park, Umunede/Emuhu, Delfrasco Tower Manufacturing & Testing Industrial Fabrication Hot Dip Galvanizing Facility, Issele-Uku, Songhai Delta Amukpe.

The Director General DIDA, Chief Lucky Oghene-Omoru on his part noted that the Focal Persons were selected from relevant MDAs like Ministries of Energy, Agriculture & Natural Resources, Lands & Survey, Environment, Oil and Gas, Justice, Trade and Investment, Transport.

Others according to him included DMSME Dev. Agency, Bureau of Job and Wealth Creation and Delta State Board of Internal Revenue.

Chief Oghene-Omoru stated that the major reason of having Focal Persons from these key MDAs is to establish a network that will reduce the timeline during which Business Owners/Investors can get information on how to obtain permits, license, certificate etc.

He said that the Ease of Doing Business Index is designed to measure how government policies and regulations directly affect the business operating environment through the following activities:

Starting a Business
Obtaining Permits & Licenses
Registering Properties
Paying Taxes
Enforcing Contracts etc.

The DG DIDA called on the EODBC to ensure that there is a structure in place for the purpose of monitoring the EODB process in order to keep the cost of doing business at low and competitive levels.

The DIDA Director One Stop Shop, Ms Faith Odeareduo harped on the importance of the Focal Persons and the EODBC to attach seriousness to the Ease of Doing Business matter.

She emphasized that it is a serious business noting that it is a Federal Government mandate through PEBEC of which many States of the Federation had already commenced the programme in their respective States.

Ms Odeareduo however said she was optimistic that Delta State haven commenced the programme would avail itself of its benefits at creating a friendly business environment for investors to thrive in the State.

She called for all hands to be on deck and said that modalities would be put in place immediately towards ensuring that all relevant Government MDAs and the organized private sector come together to achieve set goals.

In their various remarks representatives of NASSI, Mr. Princewill Ojei, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Moses Agweree, SMEDAN, Mr. Leke Babalola and NAFDAC, Mr. Ulakpa Monday all appreciated the Delta State Government for keying into the Ease of Doing Business programme.

They said that the major challenge of the MSMEs is funding and encouraged them to endeavor to key into the various windows of financing options available for the MSMEs.

They noted that already there are existing policies and structures that have been put in place by some MDAs to ensure and promote the ease of Doing Business in the State.