From Abdulwahab Muhammad, Gombe
Gov. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, on Monday, received a joint delegation of three agencies on an investment promotion drive to the state.
TheNewsZenith reports that the agencies are the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The third is the office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The delegation visited Gombe to seek the government’s collaboration on implementation of UNDP-funded Nigerian Investment Certification Programme for States (NICPS).
Federal Government selected Gombe, Ekiti and Anambra states for the pilot phase of the NICPS.
While receiving the delegation, Gov. Yahaya said his administration has sustained efforts in investment promotion since his assumption of office.
He said the 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park and other initiatives have continued to attract investors to Gombe.
He added that by creating an enabling business environment for all investments in Gombe, the state had earned the No. 1 ranking in Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria for two consecutive years.
“We are delighted to receive this delegation from the NIPC, UNDP and the presidency.
“This visit is timely, considering that it comes at a time when Gombe is actively seeking investors for the state.
“It is coming just a few months before the second edition of the Gombe State Investment Summit.
“Gombe is always open to any partnership that could advance our investment drive.
“Since 2019, we have been making efforts to make Gombe the destination of choice for investors,” Yahaya said.
Addressing the State Executive Council, the Executive Secretary of NIPC, Ms Aisha Rimi, said the Presidency introduced NICPS in 2023.
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Rimi, who led the delegation, said NICPS would support states to provide information capable of attracting investments.
“The partnership we seek with the Gombe State Government aims to strengthen the Gombe State Investment Promotion Agency.
“NICPS will provide the state with the necessary capacity to promote, attract and manage investments.
“This will ultimately enhance the overall ability to attract new investments and provide aftercare services to existing investors in Gombe State.
“We are proud to learn that Gombe has been making significant efforts to advance its investment drive, and we assure you of our support in achieving this goal,” Rimi said.
In her remarks, the representative of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Mrs Rose Kefas, said SDG had chosen Gombe State to serve as the SDGs Donation Hub for the Northeast sub-region.
She Kefas attributed the choice to Gov. Yahaya’s commitment to mainstreaming SDGs programmes in Gombe State.
“In recognition of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya’s development efforts, the SDGs will present the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park at the SDGs Global Investment Forum next year in New York, United States.
“This is aimed at showcasing the park’s capacity to attract direct foreign investment to the state.
Also speaking, Fatima Umar, the representative of the UNDP, reiterated the UNDP’s commitment to supporting Gombe State in its investment promotion efforts.
Umar emphasised that the UNDP recognises the state’s efforts to create a conducive environment for investment.
She noted that UNDP’s support would include capacity-building initiatives, technical assistance, and facilitating connections with potential local and international investors.
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