Oyo to have one-stop investment centre in two months’ time

IN line with a mandate by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state, a one-stop investment centre is to established in the state, in two months.

Executive Secretary, Bureau of Investment Promotion, Mr Yinka Fatoki who disclosed this on Tuesday, said the centre is to be a centralized point of call for investors to access information on the state’s potentials and process necessary documentation.

Fatoki, who spoke while addressing stakeholders to make up the centre, added that the centre will be a hub for information on investment opportunities, land allocation, especially for starting businesses in the state.

According to Fatoki, the centre to be established within state Secretariat, Ibadan, has the overall intent to ease doing business in the state.

Stakeholders at the meeting who expressed interest to partner on the functionality of the centre included representatives of the Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Oyo State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OYCCIMA), Ibadan Chamber of Commerce and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

In his remarks, Vice President, MAN, Mr Vikram Deepak urged Oyo state to take a cue from the centre established by the Nigeria Investment Promotion Council.

Also, Chairman, OYCCIMA, Mr Olaitan Alabi prayed that bureaucracy be checked to ensure applicants get their approval with minimal obstacles.

He also called for institutionalization of relevant infrastructure at the centre to boost the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Furthermore, Mr S. N. Anyaoha of SON, averred that the centre’s operation be seamless to reduce manhours spent in registering businesses.

He added that such centre would engender the sustainability of existing industries and encourage the setting up of new ones.