FIC Report (Benue State) – The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has held its Nationwide Town Hall Stakeholders’ Engagement and Sub-National Reform and Investment Competitiveness Workshop in Makurdi, bringing together government officials, business leaders and stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving the ease of doing business in Benue State.
The workshop, held on Thursday at the Old Banquet Hall of Government House, Makurdi, formed part of PEBEC’s nationwide engagement tour aimed at promoting business-friendly reforms and enhancing investment competitiveness across the country.
Declaring the workshop open, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, represented by the Deputy Governor, Barr. Sam Ode, who is also Chairman of the State Ease of Doing Business Council, reiterated the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for businesses and investors.
Barr. Ode said the state government has remained deliberate in implementing reforms and policies designed to attract investment, stimulate economic growth and improve the business climate. He welcomed the PEBEC delegation to Benue and formally declared the event open.
The Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, who joined virtually, provided participants with an overview of the council’s mandate and highlighted the objectives of the nationwide sub-national engagement initiative.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Michael Oglegba, said the engagement was aimed at strengthening the business environment and ensuring the sustainability of enterprises within the state.
Speaking on “Strengthening Regulatory Governance through Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA),” Team Lead, Mr. Shima Kennedy Iornem, emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking.
He noted that while regulations can produce both positive and negative outcomes, governments often introduce new regulations without adequately assessing their implications.
According to him, Regulatory Impact Analysis provides a framework for evaluating proposed regulations before implementation, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens and ensuring that policies are informed by stakeholder engagement and factual evidence rather than assumptions.
Another facilitator, Mr. Prosper Prince, delivered a presentation on understanding the investment lifecycle, improving investor experience and harmonizing fees and regulatory charges to enhance investment opportunities.
Also speaking, Barr. Nanfe Miner discussed access to justice and commercial dispute resolution through Small Claims Courts and Multi-Door Courthouse systems. She highlighted the benefits of Small Claims Courts, including speedy dispute resolution, accessibility, simplicity, self-representation and adherence to best judicial practices.
During the stakeholders’ engagement session, panelists including the Executive Chairman of the Benue Internal Revenue Service (BIRS), Hon. Joseph T. Kwaghgba; the Director-General of the Benue Geographic Information System (BENGIS), Prof. Daniel Amine; and a representative of the Benue Investment Promotion Agency, Mr. Mike Ogwuche, outlined several reforms introduced by the state government to improve the ease of doing business.
The panelists cited measures such as the reduction of multiple taxation, digitalization of government services and investment-friendly policies aimed at attracting and retaining investors.
In her vote of thanks, the Managing Director of Novus Bank, Mrs. Patricia Goja, announced that the bank would offer free business registration to nano businesses as part of activities marking its second anniversary.
She commended the PEBEC team for the insightful presentations, describing the engagement as timely and impactful. Mrs. Goja also appreciated participants for their contributions and expressed optimism that the workshop would help shape a more conducive business environment in Benue State.
VERONICA AZEMBA
For Head of Center FIC Makurdi
