Governor Ben Ayade Set Up Cross River Enabling Business Environment Council, Members Commit To Reposition Ease of Doing Business

By: David Peter


Cross River State Governor, Professor Ben Ayade has Set Up Members of the Cross River State Enabling Business Environment Council (CR-SEBEC), with a mandate to remove the critical bottleneck and constraints to doing business in the State.

Professor Ayade, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Ejemot Esu, OFR, inaugurated 21-members of the CR-SEBEC at the Government House, Calabar.

Speaking during the inauguration, Governor Ivara, Stated that: “The state is set to make history in the promotion of overall investment climate amongst members countries at both the National and Subnational levels.”

He further charged the council members to streamlined, coordinate and to provide efficient and effective services to potential investors in order for the State to take its right of place in doing business.

Stating earlier, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Secretary to the Presidential Enabling Council and Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business who spoke via Zoom with the Governor and Council Members unveiled that, The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) was set up in July 2016 by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, to remove bureaucratic constraints to doing business in Nigeria and make the country a progressive easier place to start and grow a business.

In state of happiness and satisfaction, Mr. Nnamdi Offor, South South Zonal Cordinator, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission said the council is happy about state government prompt action to set up the committee adding that the inaugurated members will create the right environment to advance economic activities of the State.

Responding to the Governor remark, Barrister Tutu Ekeng who doubled as the Cordinator - Cross River State Enabling Business Environment and Director General - Cross River Investment Promotion Bureau posited that, Nigeria currently rank 169 out of 190 economies in the World Bank Doing Business Ranking as at July.

She pledged that the committee will work assiduously to gear the State to a top list in doing business adding that, her team proactive step to align the State Enabling business processes with the endeavors of the
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) and the Presidential Ease of Doing Business Council (PEBEC) will foster business development and growth across the State.

Barrister Tutu Ekeng, poured encomium to the Governor, His Excellency Professor Ben Ayade for is historical feat to maintain foremost in the State in the creation of Cross River State Enabling Business Environment Council. She assured the committee that with the productive nature and industrial stride of the Governor the State will verge ease to get business going and soothe for business start-up.

The Director General, finally gratified and congratulated the inaugurated members. She described them, a square peg in a square hole that will diligently work to enable Cross River State business friendly.

In attendance at the inauguration were members of the council; Barr. Tina Agbor - Secretary to the State Government & Secretary of Council; Pst. Mrs RoseMary Archibong, Commissioner for Commerce, Hon. Asuquo Ekpenyong, Commissioner for Finance; Hon. Peter Egba, Barr. Tutu Ekeng, Director General, Cross River Investment Promotion Bureau, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole - Secretary, Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council and Special Adviser to the President on Ease of Doing Business; Mr. Ayokunnu Ojeniyi - Project manager, Enabling Business Environment Secretariat, Mr. Nnamdi Offor - South South Zonal Coordinator, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Patience Obim, Special Assistant - Cross River Investment Promotion Bureau and other distinguished members of Enabling Business Environment Council (EBEC)