Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
The Delta State Government said that it has implemented extensive reforms in vital areas of the local economy which has greatly improved the ease of doing business in the state.
The state government has therefore invited local and foreign investors to take advantage of the vast investment opportunities existing in the state, particularly in sectors where public policy, private capital, and local enterprise can work together to drive economic growth, create jobs, and deliver sustainable returns.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori made the call during a town hall meeting in Asaba organised by the Delta State Government in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) as part of its nationwide engagement with members of the organised private sector.
The State Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Tilije, who represented the governor at the event, stated the Oborevwori administration has implemented far-reaching reforms to improve the ease of doing business in the state.
According to him, the reforms cover key areas such as land administration, investment facilitation, public-private partnerships, revenue administration, security, and dispute resolution.
Moreover, the state had “digitally indexed and archived Certificates of Occupancy issued between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2024, to enhance efficiency in land administration”, he noted.
Tilije revealed the government had issued an Executive Order institutionalising the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investment (FRILIA) and automated the central billing system for taxes, levies, and other government collections across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.
According to him, the state has also strengthened its legal framework through the implementation of the Delta State Anti-Kidnapping Law, 2016, and the establishment of Small Claims Courts to ensure commercial disputes are resolved within 60 days.
The reforms were designed to create a more transparent, efficient, and investor-friendly business environment, assuring prospective investors that Delta State is peaceful, secure, and ready for investment.
In her address, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), Princess Zahra Mustapha Audu, highlighted the critical role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in driving economic development.
The nation-wide town hall engagements were aimed at strengthening the ease of doing business at the sub-national level while promoting reforms that would make states more attractive to investors, she explained.
Princess Audu highlighted the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) programme, which links state funding to measurable improvements in land administration, regulatory processes, and tax administration.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the organised private sector, including representatives of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and other business groups.