Governor Chukwuma Soludo has accelerated Anambra’s journey towards moving from number seven to number one in the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) ranking in the country for all indicators. In one month, he has issued six executive orders that are intended to achieve this vision. Moving up the Ease of Doing Business ranking will, undoubtedly, further leverage the right kind of investment ambience that would imbue prospective investors with the confidence to invest in Anambra State.
The Ease of Doing Business project, launched in 2002 and cascaded to the sub-national levels in 2017, is a per-formative quantitative indicator that assesses an economy’s regulation for starting a business, dealing with construction permits, getting electricity, registering property, getting credit, protecting minority investors, paying taxes, trading across borders, enforcing contracts and resolving insolvency. It also measures features of employing workers.
As such, to achieve better indicators on these fronts, Governor Soludo has with the consent of the Anambra State Executive Council issued six Executive Orders. They include an Executive Order to expand the broadband infrastructure in the state for accelerated socioeconomic development. Right of Way (RoW) charges pegged at one hundred and forty-five naira per linear metre by the National Communications Council (NCC) is now reduced to zero naira per linear meter in Anambra State. Also in pursuant to Section 135 of Nigerian Communications Act, 2023 and in the exercise of the State Government powers over the Rights of Way within the State, the executive order empowers the Anambra State Physical Planning Board to be responsible for Right of Way in the state and accordingly, receive applications or requests for approval for installation, placing, installing or maintenance of any telecommunications network facilities from any licensee operator.
Another Executive Order was issued for the establishment of an upgraded Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) System which will ensure effective reporting and management of governance-related issues.
It was followed by another Executive Order that establishes the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA) in Anambra State. The FRILIA Principles are intended to improve the attractiveness of Anambra State for land-based investments, facilitate investments that ensure food security as well as ensure commercial yield for investors.
The Governor also signed an Executive Order that directs that all Fees, Procedures, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Grievances Redress Mechanisms (GRMs), Advance Communication Rules to Individuals, Firms or Companies and Contact Information (phone and email) shall be published on Anambra State official website by the Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency (ANSIPPA); Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA), Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
It was, then, followed by another Executive Order that stands ANSIPPA as a one-stop shop for all investments in the State. It also issued an Executive Order that the state shall adopt Presumptive Turnover Tax Regime for small businesses, Consumption Tax for Hospitality businesses, and a merger of state and local government taxes and levies relating to the Fire Service; Stallage; Sanitation and Business Premises revenue fields.
With these laudable Executive Orders by Governor Soludo, Anambra State is poised to creating the much needed atmosphere for investors and their investments to thrive.
Written by SIR PAUL NWOSU/
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