The Adamawa State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER), a World Bank-supported project, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Chamber of Commerce, Mines, and Tourism, organized a one-day Consolidative Workshop to review and strategize business reforms for the upcoming year. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from the organized private sector, Chamber of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Lands, and the Board of Internal Revenue.
The session began with opening remarks from the SABER State Focal Person, Dr. Bello Abubakar Song, who highlighted the workshop’s goal of consolidating ideas for the 2025 action plan. He emphasized the critical role of stakeholder engagement, noting that participant contributions would directly influence future reforms. Additional remarks were delivered by the Surveyor General of Adamawa State, Mr. Pwavidon Simon; Director-General of the Chamber of Commerce, Engr. Auwal Bashir; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, Mrs. Saso Benson Ali; Mr. Sini Lelle, past President of ADCCIMA; and Mr. Sabana Salihu, Director of Collections at the Board of Internal Revenue. They commended the progress achieved under SABER and encouraged active participation to ensure the continued success of the reforms.
The workshop primarily focused on reviewing the 2024 action plan, which was implemented under the leadership of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. Participants recognized the key role SABER has played in creating an enabling environment for businesses, attracting foreign investment, and fostering the growth of local small businesses.
Dr. Bello Abubakar Song outlined the year’s achievements, reviewing progress across various Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs) tied to the World Bank’s objectives. These included reforms related to land use under DLI 1, the expansion of fiber optic infrastructure, the implementation of a zero Right of Way (RoW) policy to draw investors, and the establishment of small claims courts to handle commercial disputes more efficiently. The state’s Grievance Redress Mechanism was also highlighted for successfully resolving business-related complaints.
Special Adviser to the Governor on ICTs, E-Governance, and Policy, Dr. Hammajam Ahmed Adamu, was also in attendance. He shed further light on the positive impacts of reforms such as the zero-fee RoW policy, ongoing land reforms, the introduction of small claims courts, and improvements in the Ministry of Commerce and the Board of Internal Revenue. Dr. Hammajam emphasized that these reforms align with Governor Fintiri’s agenda to drive economic growth in the state.
During the interactive session, participants provided valuable recommendations for future reforms, which the State Focal Person will compile and submit to the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) for review. Notably, Barr. Ibrahim Mustapha, Legal Advisor, and Ibrahim Modibbo, Deputy President of ADCCIMA, along with Mr. Sini Lelle, past President of ADCCIMA, were key contributors to the discussions. All input received will be crucial in shaping the 2025 action plan for business reforms in Adamawa State.
In closing, Dr. Bello Abubakar Song thanked attendees for their contributions, reaffirming the state’s commitment to ensuring a business-friendly environment that encourages investment and innovation, under the guidance of the World Bank’s SABER project.
Keep up Dr Hammajam