Abia state Governor, Dr Alex Otti on Tuesday, reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a conducive environment for businesses to thrive in the state
Governor Otti gave the assurance when he received in audience the Management of Nigerian Breweries PLC who paid him a business visit.
He promised that his administration will do everything possible to support the NBL and other genuine businesses in the state to remain afloat.
The Governor cited reforms by his administration in the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) system of the state as well as the implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to streamline taxation aimed at enhancing ease of doing business.
He said; “We are a business friendly government and we believe there’s only so much the government can do.
“We have reformed like you rightly pointed out the entire system with respect to internally generated revenue so that you don’t see people on the streets with clubs chasing citizens and our corporate businesses. we believe that if you appreciate what government is doing, you will willingly pay your tax.
“We have also legislated away multiple taxation so you pay directly to the government. We will keep doing that, we know there will always be hiccups, people will resist change like it is but at the end of the day when they begin to appreciate that what government is doing is better for them and everybody.
“Our government will do everything possible to support you to remain in Abia. If there is anything we can do as a government, don’t hesitate to call our attention to it.”
Governor Otti tasked the cooperation on improved civic responsibility and underscored the importance of job creation as a panacea to reducing insecurity,noting that a lot of insecurity is fuelled by unemployment and high level of poverty.
He assured that his government is business- friendly and promise that the Commissioner for Works would appraise the industry road in Aba where the Nigerian Brewery is located with a view to giving the road a face lift.
Earlier in her speech, the Corporate Affairs Director Nigerian Breweries, Shade Morgan noted that the NBL has been operational in the state since 1967 and has continued to invest in the state.
According to her, the company has been discharging its social corporate responsibilities and has constructed and renovated classroom blocks in many communities in the state while its community investment in the area of health, water, electricity had been ongoing.
She highlighted some of the challenges confronting their operations to include poor state of road leading to the company and requested the Governor to address the deplorable 1.7 km road to retain investments in the area.
The NBL Corporate Affairs Director,commended Governor Otti for introducing the Treasury Single Account system which she noted will enhance ease of doing business, granting waiver for their trucks and encouraged government to continue to boost security and restated their commitment to partnering the state government.
