Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong has expressed appreciation to the business community for their support and collaboration which has resulted in the rejuvenation of the economic fortunes of the State.
Governor Lalong who was speaking at the 6th annual Governor’s Dinner with the business community at the Banquet Hall of the new Government House Little Rayfield Jos, said the level of faith and commitment exhibited by the business community gave a lot of confidence to the Rescue Administration to pursue economic revival and ease of doing business.
He said “This support has enabled us to undertake some of the laudable projects and programmes that has improved not only the GDP of the State but has uplifted the quality of life of many of our citizens. Indeed, you have been a solid partner with the State Government in areas of job creation and poverty reduction. When I assumed office as the Executive Governor of Plateau State, one of the critical goals of my administration was to make it easier for businesses to run efficiently. This is why we focused on improving the Investment Climate and the Business environment, by introducing innovative reforms in the processes and activities of the business related Government Agencies in collaboration with the relevant private sector actors with the aim of creating jobs and improving livelihood”.
The Governor explaines that his constant engagement with the business community gave him the opportunity to clearly understand and address some of the challenges that made entrepreneurship difficult in the past. This he said helped his administration to make job-creation a key consideration for all programmes in line with the State Development Strategy. Emphasis he said was also shifted towards empowering youths to become entrepreneurs rather than job seekers.
The Governor said through the creation of the One Stop Investment Centre (OSIC), the Multi Door Court House and the incentives given in land acquisition, infrastructure and tax holidays, the Government made it attractive for businesses to spring up thereby enabling MSMEs to increase their presence in the State.
He said before the end of his administration, the necessary legislations yet to be passed will be carried out while infrastructure will be improved upon to make it easier for businesses to operate and make profit.
Chairman Economic Advisory Council Nde Ezekiel Gomos said the Governor’s passion for ensuring economic growth and prosperity pushed him to focus on key issues that impacted on ease of doing business such as security, infrastructure, improved effeciency and effectiveness of government MDAs among others which resulted in Plateau being ranked 14th in the ease of doing business nationally, a better outing from previous positions that were not appreciable.
MD PIPC Mr. Chris Yilzak, DG PLASMIDA Bongkap Wuyep, Rep of PLACCIMA Dauda Gashit, Cyril Ogboli of the Coalition of Business and Professional Associations all gave kudos to Governor Lalong for not only giving a listening ear to the business community, but also carrying out most of the demands they presented which greatly improved the business climate.
This they explained was responsible for the harvest of awards that the State has been getting during the national MSME Awards among others.
Head of Policy and Strategy at GIZ Akin Amoware said the Rescue Administration under the leadership of Governor Simon Lalong has taken bold decisions to reform the business environment which have proven useful to business community and the citizens.
He explained that such reforms which are a continous process need to be sustained and enshrined in law to consolidate on the gains recorded.
The Governor launched the Compendium of Reforms produced with the Support of GIZ and thanked them for assisting the State to carry out most of the reforms.
Artisans in Plateau State also presented an award to the Governor for what they said was his passion for raising young entrepreneurs.
