Kaduna Generated N18bn In 2016 – El-Rufai

BY AMOS TAUNA, KADUNA – Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai said on Wednesday that Kaduna State realised the whopping sum of N18 billion from its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) due to its investment promotion moves.
Speaking at the Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit (KADInvest 2.0) that held in Kaduna on Wednesday, El-Rufai said his government was overwhelmed by major investments resulted from Kaduna Investment Summit 2016, especially the Olam $150m poultry and livestock feed project, while exploration work has continued for gold, nickel and other minerals.
According to him, “last year, we unveiled the first Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit as a practical statement that Kaduna is open for business; that we view investment by private sector as the surest platform for job creation, improved revenues and development in our state.
“Our credentials as an investment destination are anchored on the human and natural resources in our state, as well as the policy and legal environment our government has created.
“At the inaugural edition of Kaduna Investment Summit, we presented the state development plan, explained our new, transparent tax code and demonstrated how digital land registry we are developing is critical to supporting investments. In 2016, these efforts earned us over N18bn in IGR, the highest ever in the state.
“As a sub-national actor, we established the link between our state development plan and the decision to prioritise agriculture and minerals as main investment sectors.
“Kaduna Economic and Investment Summit 2.0 seek to consolidate on the gains so far made. We shall be presenting our new Ease of Doing Business Charter, reflecting the hard work of our MDAs has put into simplifying the process of obtaining licenses and shortening the time it takes to get a business running in Kaduna State.”
The governor took time to give highlights of major achievements his administration had so far achieved across all sectors of the economy as well as the social sector and unveiled the plan of the government between 2017 and 2019.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the present administration was committed to the creation of a prosperous economy in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari, who stated in a goodwill message that was published in the programme brochure, noted that his government considers as urgent priority the creation of a prosperous economy where talents of Nigerians could thrive for sustainable jobs and opportunities for youth in the country.
According to the President Buhari, “That is why we launched presidential committee on the ease of doing Business early in life of this administration.”
He said that the mandate was to simplify the processes and procedures for starting and running a business so that the cobwebs of archaic bureaucratic and administrative tradition do not stifle initiative exacerbate the cost of doing business.
While commending Kaduna State government for replicating the ease of doing business committee, the President said, “The action reflects the state government’s understanding of the responsibilities of the sub-national actors have in the quest for national rebirth.