TheCable

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), southeast zone, says it is interested in working with the administration of Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu in the state’s transformative agenda.

Ada Chukwudozie, MAN’s chairperson in the zone, spoke over the weekend when she led a delegation of the association’s zonal body on a courtesy visit Mbah at the government house, Enugu.

The current administration had said it would expand the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) from $4.4 billion to $30 billion in the next four to eight years.

Speaking during the visit, Chukwudozie said manufacturers in the state and zone at large, were keen on broadening collaboration with the Enugu government in its quest to industrialise the state.

She said the association would want to be carried along on policies that would better suit them as manufacturers and private sector investors.

“We have come to align ourselves with your transformative agenda,” she said.

“Your whole initiatives are tailored towards industrialisation.

“We are happy that we have a governor who is thinking of the industry and how to support us.

“We would want to be carried along in all that you do because we are more like your taste buds where you check out your policies for the industry and get feedback and suggestions on policies that suit us better.”

Chukwudozie urged the governor to look into the challenges of manufacturers on the ease of doing business, the ease of registration of businesses, and obtaining permits, including the certificate of occupancy.

The zonal leader also said Mbah should ensure that the new e-ticketing scheme is streamlined to reduce levies and avoid multiple taxation.

She also suggested the incorporation of innovation hubs and science-tech parks in the free trade and special economic zones planned by the state government.

‘NO PAIN IN SETTING UP A BUSINESS’

Responding, Mbah expressed appreciation to the association for acknowledging his background as a businessman and investor, adding that nobody will feel the pain of setting up a business more than himself.

He also said his administration is going to exceed the expectations of manufacturers and private sector investors in the areas of ease of doing, the ease of setting up businesses, registration of properties and obtaining construction permits.

“We already have a one-stop shop here in Enugu where you are able to obtain all your business registration documents and construction permits, and we have the relevant state and federal agencies housed in that location,” he said.

“We are just in the process of making sure that within the next few weeks, you can apply and obtain your certificate of occupancy within 72 hours. 

“Across all our ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), we are raising the service levels. 

“We are moving all our manual processes to digital platforms so you can sit in the comfort of your home and obtain government services; making your payments through your digital platforms without going to ask anyone for receipts as you will get your receipts.”

Mbah said as part of creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive, the government recently awarded contracts for the reconstruction and expansion.

He said the plan is to build 71 urban roads, a new dual carriageway to the north central market, including infrastructure for the ‘New Enugu City’ sitting on 10,000 hectares of land.