Abia Showcases Reform Milestones as PEBEC Holds Nationwide Business Environment Workshop in Umuahia
The Abia State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment and attracting investments as it hosted the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Subnational Engagement and Technical Reform Workshop in Umuahia.
Speaking at the event held at the Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr ikechukwu Emetu said the state has recorded significant progress in governance reforms, infrastructure development, security enhancement, and ease of doing business under his administration.
The Deputy, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, who also doubles as the State Chairman of Ease of Doing Business, commended PEBEC for its continued efforts in improving Nigeria’s business environment and strengthening collaboration between the Federal Government and subnational governments.
He noted that since assuming office in May 2023, Governor Otti’s administration has pursued an ambitious reform agenda aimed at restoring public confidence, strengthening institutions, improving infrastructure, and creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
According to him, the government has invested heavily in the reconstruction of roads connecting commercial hubs, industrial clusters, markets, and communities across the state, thereby improving connectivity, reducing transportation costs, and boosting investor confidence.
The Deputy Governor highlighted the state’s technology-driven security initiatives, digital transformation programmes, and reforms targeted at improving transparency, regulatory efficiency, accountability, and service delivery.
He identified the “Certificate of Occupancy in 30 Days” initiative as one of the administration’s most impactful reforms, revealing that over 4,407 Certificates of Occupancy have been issued since May 2023, surpassing the cumulative number issued by previous administrations over the preceding 24 years.
Engr. Emetu further disclosed that the state has deployed digital platforms for land administration, established Citizens Engagement Centres, created One-Stop Investment Centres in Aba and Umuahia, and set up an Export Growth Lab in Aba to support local businesses and expand export opportunities.
He added that the government has recruited over 5,300 teachers and more than 600 healthcare workers as part of efforts to strengthen human capital development and improve service delivery.
While acknowledging the progress made, the Governor stressed that reform remains a continuous process and reiterated the state’s commitment to policies that attract investment, stimulate innovation, create jobs, and improve living standards.
The Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, called for stronger collaboration among the federal, state, and local governments to drive sustainable economic transformation and create a more attractive investment environment across Nigeria.
She conveyed the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and highlighted the administration’s ongoing economic reforms aimed at boosting competitiveness and unlocking investment opportunities nationwide.
Audu noted that economic prosperity depends on coordinated efforts across all levels of government to promote enterprise, productivity, and inclusive growth.
She added that investors are more likely to invest in states with stable policies, reliable infrastructure, and effective institutions, stressing that improving subnational competitiveness is critical to Nigeria’s economic future.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Abia State on Ease of Doing Business, Barr. Agbonma Jennifer Ukaobasi, said the state government remains committed to removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and implementing reforms that create a more conducive environment for businesses and investments.
She noted that the engagement was aimed at assessing the effectiveness of existing policies and obtaining feedback from stakeholders on the state’s regulatory environment, infrastructure, taxation, and other factors that impact business growth.
She highlighted Abia’s significant progress in the Ease of Doing Business rankings, rising from 32nd to 11th position nationally, and disclosed that the state recently qualified for a World Bank facility after meeting key performance indicators.
Ukaobasi reaffirmed the government’s determination to make Abia the leading state for business in Nigeria through continuous reforms, stakeholder engagement, and improved service delivery.
The workshop featured presentations on business-enabling reforms, investment competitiveness, and strategies for building a stronger investment delivery framework across the states.
Presentations were delivered by Mr. Iheanyi Icheke; Mr. Iheanyi Ofudu Raymond on the One-Stop Shop initiative; Barr. Ifunanya Chidiebere on Access to Justice and Commercial Dispute Resolution, Small Claims and the Multi-Door Courthouse System; and Gabriel Oluemil on the Harmonisation of Levies, Fees, and Regulatory Charges.
A major highlight of the event was the presentation and preview of PEBEC’s activities and reform initiatives designed to improve the ease of doing business nationwide.
