FIC Report (Rivers State) – The Director General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, has emphasized the need for creating an enabling environment for businesses across the country. She made this call during the PEBEC–SABER Technical Session and Statewide Town Hall Meeting held at Golden Tulip Hotel in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Speaking at the event, Princess Audu stated that the purpose of the meeting was to engage directly with the business community and civil society to better understand the unique challenges they face. According to her, such engagements are vital for formulating practical, inclusive policies that support business growth and economic development.
Highlighting the importance of the SABER program, an initiative sponsored by the World Bank, the DG explained that it comes with a $750 million loan facility. She noted that only states willing to create a conducive environment for business and meet specific criteria will be able to access this funding.
“The Technical Session is a means to collaborate with sub-national governments to ensure that national-level policies are effectively implemented at the state level,” she said. “The second session, an interactive forum, is designed to engage directly with the business community and civil society stakeholders.”
In his remarks, Pastor James Enebeli, who represented the Rivers State Government, described the event as a strategic step in the state’s ongoing collaboration efforts to build a resilient, inclusive, and business-friendly environment. Pastor Enebeli, the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission, said the forum would enable stakeholders to examine policy frameworks, identify bottlenecks, and align strategies to enhance service delivery, regulatory efficiency, and competitiveness across the state.
He also stressed that the Town Hall Meeting serves as a vital bridge between the government and the people, ensuring that voices from all parts of the state are heard, respected, and incorporated into the reform process.
The World Bank’s representative for the SABER program, Ms. Bertine Kanphius, also addressed the gathering. She reiterated the World Bank’s commitment to supporting private sector growth and encouraged Rivers State to strengthen its efforts in building a business-enabling environment.
The event also featured a video slide, to further explain PEBEC’s mission and concluded with a lively Q&A session, anchored by the South South coordinator, Kris Ekanem, where participants asked questions and offered suggestions about improving the relationships between government and stakeholders. It brought together stakeholders from all walks of life, including government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives.
Signed
Dogini, Doris Chigala
Federal Information Centre,
Port Harcourt.
9th July, 2025.
