Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment, particularly in land administration.
Mbah stated this on Saturday at the investiture ceremony of Dr. Chime Ogbonna as the 26th National President of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners in Enugu.
He emphasised the importance of the Enugu State Property Protection Law, also known as the anti-land-grabbing law, in promoting transparency and accountability in the state’s land management system.
The governor highlighted the key benefits of this law, which aims to prevent land grabbing and promote sustainable urban development in the state. He also commended the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners (NITP) for promoting best practices in town planning and urban development in Nigeria.
To create an eco-friendly land administration system, the administration has embarked on critical reforms, including the signing into law of several key pieces of legislation. These include the Enugu State Geographic Information System Law, the New Enugu City Development Law, the Enugu State Ranch Management Law, and the Enugu State Property Protection Law.
Governor Mbah who was represented by the Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Chimaobi Okorie, encouraged investors, both domestic and international, to consider Enugu State as a prime investment destination, offering high returns on investment.
He assured them that his administration is committed to addressing the challenges facing investment in the country.
“We are working day and night to make our state the most eco-friendly state in terms of investment opportunities. We have derisked investment flow through our flexible land administration policies. We have invested optimally in our security architecture and we have started reaping the fruits.
“Today, Enugu State is the most secure and peaceful state in the country. It’s a deliberate effort undertaken by our administration because we intend to make Enugu the premier destination for investment and business,” he added.
The event, which was attended by dignitaries from the building sector, political class, government officials, business moguls, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, traditional rulers, and other stakeholders, marked a significant milestone in the development of the state’s urban planning and development sector.
On his part, Dr. Ogbonna, in his inaugural speech, thanked Governor Mbah for his support and pledged to work closely with the state government to promote sustainable urban development and best practices in town planning in Enugu State.
