Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa has assured investors willing to invest in the state of an enabling environment to conduct their businesses.
He gave the assurance in a keynote address at a consultation meeting with members of the Organised Private Sector, organised by Jigawa State Investment Agency (InvesJigawa), in Dutse on Thursday.
Badaru was represented by the state’s Deputy Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, at the meeting.
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“We acknowledge that the Organised Private Sector requires an enabling environment to operate optimally.
“I am happy to state that this administration is doing all it can to provide that environment.
“Some of you may be aware that based on the World Bank’s 2018 Ease of Doing Business report, Jigawa State ranked second,” Badaru said.
The governor, who urged the investors to key into opportunities available in the state, assured them of all the necessary support in facilitating their investments through favorable policies and incentives.
He assured them that the government would minimise bottlenecks for business operation in the state.
According to him, Thursday’s meeting is one of the series of consultation meetings planned for different stakeholders that are relevant to support the state’s development and economic growth.
Badaru said that despite the challenge of COVID-19 pandemic, the government had not failed in delivering community-oriented programmes through its innovative approach in managing the limited resources at its disposal.
“Due to the present challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic which is affecting all sectors of the economy, Jigawa State, like most states that are dependent on FAAC allocation from the Federal Government, is also feeling the economic hardship.
“Notwithstanding, we have not failed in delivering community-oriented programmes through our innovative approach in managing the limited resources at our disposal, and our commitment to ensure creation of sustainable economy for the state,” Badaru said.
The governor said that the prudence of his administration through the value for money principle, which is the core of its fiscal policies, had enabled the government to carry on with the activities of governance, with regards to the implementation of social and economic programmes and projects.
According to the governor, the role of InvestJigawa as an agency is vital to the economic growth and industrial development of the state.
“InvestJigawa’s role is to identify, promote and facilitate the exploitation of opportunities for private sector investment that will create jobs and promote the prosperity and wellbeing of the citizens.
“However, the Organised Private Sector also plays a significant role to leapfrog the economy of the state to a level at par with states that have the strongest economies in the country.
“Across the world, it is recognised that the private sector is what supports the economy, with SMEs forming the bedrock.
“It is therefore hoped that in Jigawa State, you will continue to drive growth and support development, with the expectant job and wealth creation through your various activities,” the governor said.
Earlier, the Director General of the Agency, Furera Isma, said the event was organised to remind stakeholders of the recent developments with opportunity to key into interventions that would support their businesses.
Isma listed the interventions as the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Nigeria Commodities Exchange (NCX), African Development Bank’s Stable Agro-Industrial Processing Zone initiative and the Planned Kano-Dutse-Katsina-Jibia-Maradi rail line project.
“What we will present is not exhaustive, but it will in some way ginger us into action.
“We will listen to you and welcome your questions, comments and suggestions on areas you think we as InvestJigawa should improve and areas we should collaborate with you on.
“All this is for the continued upliftment of Jigawa State specifically, and our country in general,” Isma said. (NAN)
