Peter Mbah Delivers on Promise: Enugu State Investment Forum Convened within 100 Days

 In a resounding testament to his commitment to the people of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah has fulfilled a key promise within the stipulated time frame. The Enugu State Investment Forum (ESIF) was successfully convened on September 1, 2023, just days before the 100-day mark of his administration, which began on May 29, 2023.

 Promise: Within the First 100 days in office, the Enugu State Investment Forum (ESIF) shall be convened to bring together all the key players needed to drive and sustain investments in key areas of commerce and industry in the State.

 Peter Mbah, in his inaugural speech as Governor, had pledged to bring together all the key players needed to drive and sustain investments in key areas of commerce and industry in the state within the first 100 days of his tenure. True to his word, the Enugu State Investment Roundtable became a reality on September 1, 2023.

 The event, themed "Leveraging Public Private Partnerships," aimed to align with the administration's vision over accelerating sustainable economic transformation with the private sector as the driver. During his speech at the roundtable, Governor Mbah emphasized the significance of this event as a new beginning for long-term partnerships and cooperation aimed at catalyzing a sustainable, resilient, and prosperous Enugu. This roundtable investment meeting according to the governor was a precursor to the much larger Enugu State Diaspora and Investment Summit scheduled for April2024.

Notable attendees who were present at the ESIF include, World Bank Nigeria Country Director for Nigeria, Shubham Chaudhuri; British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter; the Regional Chief Operating Officer, African Export-Import Bank, (AfriExim), Eric Itong; Chief Economist and Vice President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Kevin Urama; Deputy Director, Investment, the United Kingdom Department for Business and Trade, Morayo Adekunle, and Chief Executive Officer, Infrastructure Credit Guarantee Company, Chinua Azubuike

 Enugu State, known as the heartbeat of Southeast Nigeria, boasts unique advantages such as a full-fledged international airport, strategic road corridors connecting various regions, and a narrow-gauge railway line under refurbishment. These factors position the state as a vital trade and investment gateway into the region.

 Governor Mbah's administration envisions making Enugu one of the top three revenue-generating states in Nigeria, achieving a 0% poverty headcount rate, and growing the state's GDP to $30 billion within the next 8years. The economic transformation strategy includes boosting sector productivity, reforming key state institutions, and creating cross-cutting social sector programs and services.

The Governor also highlighted the importance of infrastructure development in realizing the state's potential. Notably, he mentioned the significant progress made in providing clean water to the Enugu metropolis within the promised time frame, a crucial step toward improving the quality of life for residents.

 Furthermore, the administration recognizes the importance of private sector participation in driving long-term economic growth and prosperity. Governor Mbah emphasized the commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, with targeted incentives, effective security measures, and streamlined governmental services. A one-stop shop for business registration and investments is already in place, and infrastructure investments totaling N2 trillion are planned for the next four years.

 The Enugu State Diaspora and Investment Unit will work closely with investors to prepare and curate projects for bankability, further facilitating large-scale investment-ready projects.

 In conclusion, Governor Peter Mbah has set a promising tone for his administration by fulfilling his promise to convene the Enugu State Investment Forum within the first 100 days. As Enugu State embarks on its journey toward economic transformation, the successful implementation of these plans will be closely watched, and the Governor is urged to continue delivering on his promises to bring prosperity to the people of Enugu.