BPE to Collaborate with Jigawa on Economic Reforms

Ndubuisi Francis in Abuja 

The Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh, has pledged the Bureau’s readiness to provide technical support and know-how to assist the Jigawa State Government in optimising its assets and identify key areas where Public Private Partnership (PPP) can make tangible impact on the state’s  economy.

Okoh made this known during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi, at the Jigawa State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

The BPE, in a statement by its Head, Public Communications, Amina Tukur Othman, noted that the BPE, as the economic reform agency of the Federal Government had in the past, supported other states in the country. 

He added that the Bureau had carried out reforms in many sectors of the Nigerian economy, which had brought about the establishment of organisations like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Pension Commission (PenCom), Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and many others.

He stressed that the Bureau believes in the power of innovation, entrepreneurship and private sector investment to drive the economy.

According to him, by harnessing the resources of the state and BPE, an enabling environment can be created to attract more investment to transform and build a future where opportunities abound for people of Jigawa State to prosper.

Okoh stated that the BPE is an agency of the Federal Government with over 30 years experience in sector/enterprise reforms and assets optimisation in the country, adding 

that the Federal Government, through a circular in 2020, expanded BPE’s mandate to include acting on its behalf in the administration of concession and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Nigeria.

He congratulated Namadi for emerging as the Governor of Jigawa State at the 2023 general election, saying the success reflected the trust and confident the people of Jigawa State placed on his leadership.

While congratulating the entire state on its 32nd anniversary, Okoh expressed the commitment of the BPE to foster development and progress of Jigawa State which it has already achieved due to good leadership in the past.

Okoh noted that Jigawa State provides many opportunities for investment, including agribusiness, solid minerals, renewable energy, light manufacturing, Maigatari Export Process Zone and Gagarawa Industrial Pack.

He commended the state for emerging one of the best places for doing business in Nigeria in the second edition of the subnational Ease of Doing Business 2023 Report.

In his remark, Governor Namadi expressed delight with the visit and promised to collaborate with the Bureau to bring the needed economic reforms in the state.