NACCIMA lauds Mbah on infrastructure, ease of doing business , security, woos investors to Enugu

Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has commended Enugu state Governor, Dr Peter Mbah on his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, ease of doing business and security ,urging investors, business partners and tourists to invest in the state.

NACCIMA President, Jani Ibrahim, Mni made the call on Friday, when he led a delegation of the association on a courtesy visit to Governor Mbah in Government House, Enugu.

Speaking with Newsmen shortly after their visit, Ibrahim said the association’s assessment followed a three-day experience in Enugu during NACCIMA ‘s quarterly meeting hosted by the Nsukka Chamber of Commerce.
He said the business community had observed significant developments in the state, particularly in infrastructure, ease of doing business, investment attraction and tourism.

According to him, the developments had strengthened the business community’s confidence in Enugu as a place where investors could establish businesses, hold meetings and explore tourism opportunities..

Ibrahim said NACCIMA, which is a voice of the Nigerian business community, was impressed with the level of development they saw in the state.
“We have come here to pay a courtesy visit on the Governor and to tell him our observations and what we have seen that has been positively attracting investment, investors, and also developing tourism in Enugu State,” he said.

According to him, the developments witnessed in the state represented major landmarks, particularly in infrastructure and the ease of doing business.
“These are very, very major landmarks in terms of infrastructure, in terms of ease of doing business. And that is why the business community, represented by NACCIMA, as a voice of Nigerian business, is very, very proud of their achievements.
“We are very, very proud of his achievements and want to commend his efforts.
“We are asking major investors and also our partners to come to Enugu State as a destination for investment, for meetings, for tourism.”
‘Security is a big OK’, he said.

Ibrahim also highlighted security as a critical factor considered by private-sector players before choosing an investment destination, noting that the issue formed part of his discussion with Governor Mbah.
He said the governor had taken measures aimed at creating a more secure environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

According to him, the private sector could not overlook security when assessing a potential investment destination because businesses require a stable environment to operate and grow.
“We have also discussed with him on the issue of security. He has done a lot to make sure that the environment is secure,” Ibrahim said.

He explained that security was one of the association’s cardinal considerations whenever it assessed a location for business activities.
“Because we in the private sector, one of our cardinal principles is, before we go anywhere, we check on the security, and we have given it a big OK for Enugu State.
“We have had a great three days experience in Enugu State… it was a wonderful experience,” he said.

He said security remained the foundation for economic growth, noting that NACCIMA’s STEAMS agenda—Security, Technology, Education, Agriculture, Manufacturing and Solid Minerals—placed security at the forefront.

“We want to congratulate you because security is the number one item. Without security, there is nothing else we can do,” Ibrahim said.

He said NACCIMA was ready to support Mbah’s vision of growing Enugu State’s economy from its estimated $4.4 billion as of 2023 to $30 billion by 2031, while seeking greater collaboration between government and the organised private sector.

The NACCIMA president proposed joint trade fairs and investment summits, improved land-allocation processes, public-private partnerships for industrial parks and stronger collaboration among the state government and chambers of commerce.

He also disclosed that NACCIMA was working with partners in Frankfurt, Germany, to facilitate affordable capital for industrialists and manufacturers, with financing of up to $10 million for seven-and-a-half years at single-digit interest rates.

Ibrahim further expressed interest in promoting Nsukka yellow pepper as an export commodity and establishing the proposed Renewed Hope NACCIMA Village in Enugu, saying the state was among six states being considered for the initiative.

Responding, Governor Mbah said his administration regarded NACCIMA as “the voice of the Nigerian business community,” stressing that the government’s economic strategy was anchored on private capital, with government providing an enabling environment and de-risking investments where necessary.

Mbah said his administration had remained committed to its campaign promise of growing the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion within four to eight years.

He said the government’s interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, tourism, transportation and security were designed to support economic expansion while improving the quality of life of residents.

On security, the governor said his administration tackled insecurity “frontally” and ended the sit-at-home order within three months of assuming office.

He said the state had established a Safe City Surveillance System, which includes Command and Control Centre, alongside a Distress Response Squad equipped with vehicles fitted with AI-enabled surveillance cameras.

According to him, the improved security environment has helped attract private capital into the state, citing investments and partnerships involving United Palm Products, Sunrise Flour Mill, Nigergas Limited, Hotel Presidential and Landmark Nike Lake Resort.

Mbah also highlighted the government’s efforts to attract investment in manufacturing, including the Enugu Haier Factory, and a tractor assembly plant, saying government had provided guarantees and purchase commitments to de-risk the investments and encourage local production.

On tourism and connectivity, the governor said the state was targeting three million visitors, annually, and had launched Enugu Air while working with the Federal Government and private sector to operationalise the international wing of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

He also listed the ongoing tourism projects, including a 400-metre zip line, cable car infrastructure, the Cross of Hope at Awhum, the ancient iron-smelting site at Lejja and the Nsude pyramids.

Mbah said the administration was simultaneously investing in education and healthcare, including over 7,000 classrooms through its Smart Schools initiative .

He said the Enugu International Hospital was aimed at positioning Enugu to capture a share of the medical tourism market.

The governor said the various interventions were intended to create the conditions for sustained private-sector investment and move Enugu towards its long-term economic and human-development goals.