Bauchi govt to lay strong foundation for economic development

The Bauchi State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, assured stakeholders, including the private sector, of the tireless efforts of the present administration in Bauchi State towards laying a strong foundation for economic growth and development for the benefit of both the government and the citizens.

The assertion was made by the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Hon. Auwal Jatau, at the inaugural meeting of the reconstituted State Council on Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Reforms held at the Conference Hall of his office on Thursday.

He said that at the moment, Bauchi State is one of the best-performing states in the subnational Ease of Doing Business ranking among the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

The Deputy Governor, who is the Chairman of the Council, pointed out that the state government has demonstrated strong commitment and willingness by participating in the World Bank’s first performance-for-result programme known as the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABRE).

According to him, other commendable efforts made by the state included the development of the State Action on Business Reform Action Plan (BERAP) for 2023 through the active engagement of key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.

Auwal Jatau noted that the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABRE) programme was designed to have a gross value of $750 million for the country, as it is expected to be drawn by the states on a performance basis with a tenure of 3 years.

He further explained that the proposed Disbursement-Linked Indicators (DLIS) cover five areas of land administration: improved business-enabling infrastructure, increased sustainable large-scale investments, enabling firm operations, regulatory reforms, courts, and skills.

He said the State Council on Ease of Doing Business (EODB) Reforms will serve as the catalyst for change, ensuring that the state government’s policies and regulations align with its vision for economic development.

The Deputy Governor added that the present administration has since recognised the importance of providing a favourable ecosystem for businesses to flourish, and the establishment of the Council is a testament to that commitment.

According to him, “Today marks the inaugural meeting of this Council, and it signifies a new era in our state’s governance. We are embarking on a journey towards transforming Bauchi into a hub of economic activity, attracting investors, stimulating entrepreneurship, and unlocking the full potential of our resources.

Auwal Jatau also said that, “On behalf of members of this Council, I want to register our profound appreciation and gratitude to our amiable Governor, Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, for finding us worthy of this enormous task and to assure him of our unwavering dedication to the cause.”

“Together, we will be focusing on implementing strategic reforms that streamline business opportunities, reduce bureaucratic impediments, and enhance the ease of doing business in Bauchi State. We shall also prioritise the removal of unnecessary regulations and simplify administrative procedures to create a business-friendly environment that nurtures growth,” he stressed.

The Deputy Governor said the state government’s commitment to economic development extends beyond rhetoric, hence the reason for the allocation of substantial resources towards infrastructure development, both physical and digital, to improve connectivity and transportation networks in addition to investing in human capital through training programmes that enhance skills and knowledge.

He added that the state is working tirelessly to improve access to finance for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and implementing policies that foster a fair and competitive market.

He then recalled that, since coming on board, the administration of Governor Bala Mohammed has provided the enabling environment for the state to be a destination for investment and opportunity, where businesses can thrive and create jobs for citizens.

He said that “the State Council on Ease of Doing Business Reforms is a critical step towards achieving our vision for economic development in Bauchi State. Our mandate as a council is clear:

“We must ensure that our state is attractive to investors and that businesses can operate efficiently and effectively without any unnecessary hitches. We must also ensure that we protect and create a level playing field for all businesses to compete fairly,” he added.

According to him, “I am confident that together we can achieve our goals. Our Council is made up of representatives from various government agencies as well as members of the private sector and civil society.”

He stressed that “this diversity ensures that we have different perspectives and insights that will contribute to a more comprehensive reform agenda. It is my hope that at the end of this meeting, we will identify several key priority areas that require urgent attention.”

Auwal Jatau then assured members of the Council and the private sector of the strong commitment of the state government towards economic development, reiterated that the council’s success will be measured by the results it achieves, and stressed the need for members to work diligently and with a sense of urgency so as to set a benchmark for other states to follow.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Aminu Hammadi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Idris Saleh Giade, said that the inauguration of the State Council on Ease of Doing Business signifies the unwavering commitment of the state government towards economic development.

He assured that his ministry will ensure proper coordination of the activities of the Council in order to achieve the set objectives of developing the state industrially, as contained in a statement by Muslim Lawal, Special Assistant (Media), to Bauchi State Deputy Governor.

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