Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has said that his administration has put in place policies and legislations that would ensure that the state becomes one of the top three states in ease of doing business in the country.
Fayemi said the state was rated number four in ease of doing business in 2014 when he left office, but slid to the 32nd position thereafter.
The governor said this while presenting “Investing in Ekiti: Facts Behind the State Economy” at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) in Lagos on Friday.
He urged investors to invest in the state and take advantage of the business-friendly environment.
Fayemi, who was received at the Stock Exchange by the Director-General of NSE, Oscar Onyema, and the President, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, also rang the bell signifying the close of transaction for the day.
Speaking at a session with investors and stock brokers, Fayemi said the efforts of his government had started yielding positive results with the return of development partners to the state as well as the resuscitation of some moribund businesses like the Gossy Water and the return of three banks that had left the state previously.
He disclosed that the state government was equally working hard to provide adequate security of lives and investment in the state.
Fayemi said: “Ekiti was fourth in the ease of doing business during my first tenure until it dropped to 32nd position. We are starting to regain the confidence of investors by reactivating those laws which we put in place in my first administration to create an enabling environment for investment to thrive.
“We have renewed our focus on peace and security which is the foundation of any economic development; and started investing in developing the infrastructure required to make Ekiti State a competitive destination for business.
“We have also passed the Law establishing the Ekiti State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (EKDIPA). Once the agency commences full operations, it will drive our Ease of Doing Business reforms and provide investors with a one-stop shop to deal with investment related matters.
“The steps we have taken since we assumed office is to work in collaboration with neighbouring states because those things just cut across, particularly as it affects kidnapping and banditry to make the highways safe.”
Mr Onyema had said that the NSE had examined and noted an improvement in the GDP of the state; with a 63% economic growth which were necessitated by the projects executed by Fayemi between 2011 and 2014.
Onyema who described Fayemi as a reform-minded leader, commended him for his commitment to providing durable infrastructure and employment opportunities for the State.
He said the governor had created a roadmap for other political leaders to follow in their quest to deliver the goods to the people.
