By Danjuma Àttah, Gombe
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has highlighted investment and economic diversification opportunities offered by his administration to boost growth and development.
Governor Yahaya, who was represented by his Commissioner for Finance, Muhammad Gambo Magaji, stated this at the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) town hall meeting on State Action for Business Enabling Reforms, held in Gombe.
He reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustainable economic reforms and infrastructural Development vowing to ensure the State regain the top spot in the Ease of Doing Business.
The engagement session brought together stakeholders from the public and private sectors and designed to deepen the implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER). It is aimed at assessing the state’s performance on business enabling reforms and strengthening alignment with national economic initiatives.
The session, which brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors, was designed to deepen the implementation of the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), promote inclusive growth through improved regulatory environments at the state level as well as assessing the state’s performance on business enabling reforms and strengthening alignment with national economic initiatives.
Governor Inuwa explained that the recognition of Gombe as the top-ranking State in Nigeria for Ease of Doing Business is the result of intentional policies, strong political will, and robust administrative reforms.
According to him, “Our administration has streamlined business registration processes, reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks, digitized land administration systems, and introduced investor-friendly tax policies.
“We have also maintained a stable macroeconomic environment with consistent policies that inspire investor confidence, reinforced by the rule of law, low crime rates, and a pro-business regulatory framework”, he added.
He highlighted key infrastructural projects such as the Special Agro-Processing and Export Free Zone, the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, and the ultra-modern livestock development zone, as milestones of his administration’s drive to create an enabling environment for investment and economic diversification.
The Director General of PEBEC, Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu, in her remarks, commended Gombe State for its outstanding performance in business reforms, noting that Gombe has consistently set the pace as a shining example of sub-national reform success.
She said, “Being ranked number one in PEBEC’s Ease of Doing Business survey for two consecutive years underscores the State’s commitment to reform-driven governance.”
Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Tourism, Nasiru Mohammed Aliyu, explained that Inuwa Yahaya administration has done more than enough to earn the position of best state in ease of doing business again.
He gave high points of the administration’s journey to include an increase in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from below N1 billion in 2019 to over N28 billion today.
He said The state attracts more than $100 million in foreign direct investment annually with more than 1.5 million residents engaged in skilled and unskilled labour, thanks to a growing private sector.
“The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) estimates the state’s GDP at $55.5 billion, with investment returns of over 20 percent, particularly in agriculture, renewable energy, and light industry.
“Other major projects such as the Special Agro-Processing and Export Free Zone and the International Grains Market have further boost investors confidence. What makes Gombe particularly noteworthy is its relative value peace and stability”, Alhaji Nasiru pointed out.
End.
