The Kwara State Government has held a one-day technical workshop and town hall meeting aimed at deepening awareness and strengthening partnerships around the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER). The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors, including a delegation from the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
Key participants included members of the State Executive Council, local government officials, the judiciary, artisan and market leaders, and representatives from the Nigeria Export Promotion Council. Mr. Shima Kennedy represented PEBEC's Director General, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu.
Dr. Hauwa Nuru, Commissioner for Finance and Chair of the State Ease of Doing Business Council (EODBC), emphasized that the gathering was designed to promote better understanding of the reform roadmap, particularly the technical aspects tied to Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLI).
She noted that Kwara, under Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has achieved significant progress in improving the ease of doing business by enhancing transparency, simplifying land and business registration processes, and promoting digital tools for tax, procurement, and service delivery.
She praised the contributions of both the PEBEC team and EODBC members for driving the state's reform goals.
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Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, added that the government is utilizing social media to increase transparency and public engagement. Meanwhile, Commissioner for Environment, Nafisat Buge, highlighted the administration's efforts to maintain a clean and investor-friendly environment.
Mrs. Folashade Omoniyi, head of the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service (KWIRS), discussed the positive impact of President Tinubu's new tax reform law, stating that it will simplify tax collection and reduce revenue leakages.
Kennedy explained PEBEC's role in driving business environment reforms nationwide and noted that the council's annual state assessment tour helps evaluate progress and gather feedback from the private sector to refine strategies under the SABER initiative.
Leaders from the artisan and market communities, including Alhaji Jimoh Adesina and Hajia Muibat Olumo, commended the state government's support for small businesses and requested further backing for local entrepreneurs.
The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by Kennedy, during which participants shared insights and suggestions to strengthen government-stakeholder collaboration
