How FG Cost Us 50,000 Jobs in Jigawa, Governor Namadi Speaks
- The federal government have been urged to initiate more investor-friendly policies for sub-national government
- This appeal was made by Governor Umar Namadi while speaking at the 29th NESG summit in Abuja on Monday, October 23
- He harped that there is a need for more collaborations between the federal and the state governments to foster a more friendly economic environment
FCT, Abuja - A northern governor has blamed the lack of proper synergy between the federal and state governments for the poor influx of investors.
Governor Umar Namadi revealed that investors have had limitations to thrive in Jigawa State due to some federal government policies and licensing requirements that could be more favourable to investors.
Source: Twitter
In Abuja on Monday, October 23, at one of the panel sessions of the 29th Nigeria Economic Summit organised by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Governor Namadi revealed how the state missed out on creating over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.
He said:
PAY ATTENTION: Donate to Legit Charity on Patreon. Your support matters!
"We have a sugar processing company that has started in Jigawa for the last five years, and we have been trying as much as possible to see how this investment materialises within the shortest possible time.
"And collaboration with the federal government is very important, but we have a limitation. This company require a license to draw water to their operational area, and that license has to be granted by the federal ministry of water resources."
He stated that the company wanted an open canal as their primary water source, but the federal government gave licenses for only piping.
Governor Namadi stated that creating an open canal was cost-efficient and would benefit neighbouring farmers.
He said:
"We put to the federal government, we have loads of farmers along that line. We agreed with the company that if we do open canal, all the farmers along the line will be able to tap water for farming...but the federal government insist that we do piping."
He stated that it would take the investors ten years to recoup their investment if they opted for pipping, while it would take them just five years if they adopted the open canal method.
Governor Namadi said the investment would have helped the state create 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.
"If that company has taken place now, it will create more than 50,000 direct and indirect jobs in Jigawa State, and that is very important for us as a government. I think collaboration is important for us to move for us to attract investors."
NESG honours ex-President Shonekan
Shortly before the governors and investors session, the NESG honoured the former President of Nigeria, the late Chief Ernest Shonekan, by launching the Ernest Shonekan Centre for Legislative Reforms and Economic Development.
Speaking at the launch, the chairman of NESG, Mr Niyi Yusuf, stated that the Centre provides a unique platform for which the three initiatives strategically position the Centre to promote reforms to critical sectors of our economy.
He said:
"The Centre's key objectives are achieving economic competitiveness and improving the business environment.
"This Centre will address critical issues about competitiveness and sustainability through enhanced synergy between the private and public sectors using legislative instruments."
Similarly, the Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin, described the initiative as a testament to acknowledging the critical role of laws and regulations in shaping the economic landscape.
He said:
"By assuming the role of a change catalyst, The Ernest Shonekan Centre aims to expedite impactful reforms that will unleash the complete potential of our economy and cultivate a favorable milieu for businesses to flourish.
"We are fully dedicated to endorsing endeavors that promote economic attractiveness and business environment.
"With our thorough understanding of the legislative process, we are prepared to offer our assistance in providing valuable insights, analysis, and recommendations to further the goals of The Ernest Shonekan Centre."
Tinubu appoints new CEO for energy commission of Nigeria
In another report, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu made another fresh Chief Executive Officer appointment on Monday, October 23.
Tinubu approved the appointment of Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha as the CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN).
Mustapha is expected to positively impact Tinubu's administration's intensive push to diversify the nation's energy sources.
Source: Legit.ng
