Enugu Hosts PEBEC Townhall to Deepen Business Reforms, Improve Investment Climate

Our Reporter 

ENUGU, Nigeria – The Enugu State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to creating a more conducive business environment as it hosted the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Nationwide Townhall and Stakeholders Engagement in Enugu.

The event, organised by the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry with support from the Enugu State Investment Development Authority (ESIDA), took place at Hotel Presidential, Enugu, bringing together representatives of the Organised Private Sector (OPS), business associations, investors, development partners and government agencies.

The engagement focused on reviewing ongoing business environment reforms, identifying regulatory challenges and exploring practical solutions to further improve the ease of doing business in the state.

Speaking during the townhall, the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Industry, Dr. Sam Ogbu-Nwobodo, commended PEBEC and stakeholders for their frank contributions and constructive assessment of reform efforts and existing bottlenecks.

He assured participants that recommendations from the private sector would be carefully documented and translated into actionable policies and regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening Enugu's business environment and advancing the state's ambition of building a $30 billion economy.

Ogbu-Nwobodo reiterated that ease of doing business remains a major priority across ministries, departments and agencies under the administration of Governor Peter Mbah. According to him, the government remains committed to fostering an environment that supports enterprise growth, attracts investments and creates sustainable economic opportunities for residents.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of ESIDA, Dr. Kenechukwu Nnamani, reaffirmed the government's determination to build a competitive and investment-friendly ecosystem through continuous reforms, institutional efficiency, digital innovation and sustained stakeholder engagement.

The PEBEC delegation, led by Mr. Gabriel Ohiemi, lauded participants for their active involvement in the discussions and encouraged members of the organised private sector to openly share their experiences and concerns regarding the state's business climate.

Ohiemi noted that feedback from stakeholders remains critical to shaping reforms capable of improving Nigeria's business environment and enhancing the country's global competitiveness.

The event attracted several commissioners and heads of Business Enabling Environment Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Among those in attendance were the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Barr. Chimaobi Okorie; Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Prof. Sam Ugwu; Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Ben Collins Ndu Jnr.; Commissioner for Labour and Employment, Dr. Felix Nnamani; Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Obi Ozo; and Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Dr. Patrick Uburu.

Others included the Managing Director of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Ekene Nnamani; Managing Director of the Enugu State Geographic Information Systems (ENGIS), Prince Chiwetalu Nwatu; State Surveyor-General, Surv. Justus Chime; Deputy Chief Whip of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Obiajulu Ugwu; as well as permanent secretaries and senior government officials from key ministries.

Representatives of the organised private sector also addressed the gathering. They included the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Nnanyelugo Martin Onyemelukwe; President of the Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Barr. Sam Otoboeze; President of the 9th Mile Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Surv. L.C.K. Ugwu; and Group Managing Director of COPEN Group, Rev. Ugo Chime.

The private sector leaders commended the Enugu State Government for implementing business-friendly reforms and for creating a platform that enables stakeholders to contribute meaningfully to policies aimed at improving the state's investment and business climate.

The townhall formed part of PEBEC's nationwide stakeholder engagement initiative designed to strengthen public-private dialogue, identify reform priorities and accelerate interventions that enhance Nigeria's business environment and economic competitiveness.

The engagement underscored the growing collaboration between government and the private sector in driving reforms intended to position Enugu as one of Nigeria's leading destinations for investment and business growth.