By Rhoda Godwin
The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) has held a town hall engagement in Bayelsa State as part of its nationwide drive to improve the ease of doing business, strengthen institutional efficiency, and attract greater investment across Nigeria.
The event, held in Yenagoa, brought together government officials, representatives of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private sector operators, development partners, and entrepreneurs to discuss reforms aimed at creating a more conducive business environment in the state.
Delivering the welcome address, the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Ease of Doing Business Council emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in removing barriers to investment and promoting economic growth. He noted that improving the business climate remains a critical step toward attracting investors, creating jobs, and expanding economic opportunities for residents.
Also speaking at the event, Ms. Patience Ranami Abah, Focal Person for the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) and representative of the Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA), highlighted the state’s commitment to implementing reforms that will make doing business easier and more attractive for investors.
A major highlight of the engagement was the address delivered by the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, who reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment through policy reforms, improved service delivery, and stronger collaboration with state governments.
She stressed the need for government institutions to become more responsive, transparent, and efficient in their dealings with businesses and investors, noting that such reforms are essential for economic growth and national development.
The town hall also featured an interactive panel discussion where experts, government officials, and private sector representatives examined key reform challenges and opportunities in Bayelsa State. Discussions focused on reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks, improving regulatory processes, enhancing transparency, and strengthening investor confidence.
Participants openly shared experiences and proposed practical solutions to challenges affecting businesses in the state. Several contributors observed that while Bayelsa has numerous structures and initiatives designed to support enterprises, many of these opportunities are not widely known due to inadequate publicity and awareness.
Stakeholders therefore called on the state government to intensify public enlightenment campaigns, improve branding efforts, and effectively communicate available incentives and investment opportunities to local and international investors.
The question-and-answer session generated significant interest, particularly around the Federal Government’s ₦200 million agricultural loan initiative. Participants sought clarification on eligibility requirements, access procedures, and how farmers, agribusiness operators, and cooperatives in Bayelsa could benefit from the programme.
Other recommendations made during the engagement included the establishment of a specialized commercial court to ensure speedy resolution of business-related disputes and stronger partnerships with industrial and agricultural development banks to ease loan conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Participants described the town hall as productive and insightful, noting that it provided a valuable platform for dialogue between policymakers and the business community.
The engagement forms part of PEBEC’s ongoing nationwide efforts to support reforms that promote investment, improve Nigeria’s business environment, and contribute to the Federal Government’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2030.
