Enugu State Government yesterday bowed to pressure from the business community in the state over the problem of multiple taxation as it affirmed readiness to take concrete measures aimed at removing barriers that hinder free investment in the state.

Governor Sullivan Chime specifically said the state government had set up a committee to deal with any issue that may hinder investment in the state, including multiple taxation and related matters.

He added that his administration had also put in place a massive and sustained investment in infrastructural development, security and economic expansion, which had made the state a choice destination for both local and foreign investors.

The governor who spoke as he inaugurated the multi-million naira Mercedes Benz Tetralog Sales and Service Centre along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu assured that he was determined to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rev. Raphael Nwoye, said his government took the decision in order to ensure that all barriers to free investment in the state were removed.

"We are indeed highly encouraged by the successes being recorded by all those who had dared to invest in Enugu State and so much so that we can now boldly say that it is unwise not to invest in Enugu State," Chime said.

He said his administration had also put in place massive and sustained investment in infrastructural development, security and economic expansion, which had made the state a choice destination for both local and foreign investors.

According to him, the state's business profile has been boosted by the presence of an international airport and the imminent approval of our free trade zone by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. He noted that the state is now reputed to be one of the fastest growing economies in Nigeria.

He therefore commended Tetralog management "for plugging into this new tide and for finding Enugu State worthy of such massive investment."

Welcoming the governor, the Managing Director of Tetralog Nigeria Limited, Mr. Onuorah Nnabugwu thanked Chime for creating the enabling environment that made it possible for his company to berth in the state.

Nnabugwu who disclosed that they started haulage business with only one Mercedes Benz L911 truck said that they have today in their fleet over 200 Benz trucks.

He expressed happiness that their centre was being inaugurated at a time the federal government was implementing a new auto policy that stipulates the payment of 35 per cent duty on imported commercial vehicles.

"The tariff is quite high as commercial vehicles form the bedrock of public transportation that drives any economy," he noted.

The Tetralog boss suggested that the tariff should have been gradual, "given our limited local capacity and the fact that our country is still struggling with inadequate power supply and poor infrastructure."

He therefore, advised the federal government to peg the import duty for commercial vehicles at 15 per cent as they link and impact directly on the economy.


The Tetralog MD thanked the Director of Mercedes Benz trucks and vans, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, Dr. Kolja Rebstock and the Senior Manager Trucks and Vans, Mr Thomas Greipel for finding time to come to Enugu for the launching of the centre, which foundation stone was laid in last year April.


In a brief remark, the leader of the German Company, Daimler AG, Dr. Rebstock expressed happiness that Mercedes Benz has made rapid growth not only in Nigeria but also in Africa.

He assured that his company would continue to provide quality services to its teaming customers in areas of general services, technical and sales support, among others. He noted that Mercedes Benz had been founded more than 100 years ago and had continued to maintain quality services to the people.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar Wednesday declared Enugu State as having the lowest crime rate in the country, saying that this fact was buttressed by statistics and empirical
evidence.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/enugu-has-lowest-crime-rate-igp/

In third position was Enugu State with
about N20.2 billion in 2013, up from
about N12.2 billion in 2012.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/lagos-rivers-enugu-generated-the-most-igr-in-2013/189296/?utm_content=bufferb8975&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

At 5% cost, Abuja, Enugu lead peers in ease of property registration...As against 15 percent of the property value charged by the Lagos State government for registering property, Abuja charges between 3 and 7 percent while Enugu charges 5 percent...In Enugu, land acquisition and registration are digitalised and our checks reveal that an applicant does not necessarily have to be in the state before he gets his transactions processed and his documents mailed to him.
http://businessdayonline.com/2014/09/at-5-cost-abuja-enugu-lead-peers-in-ease-of-property-registration/#.VB0caXM1iAg

The National Chairman of the Association of Local Governments in Nigeria (ALGON), Chief Nwabueze Okafor, says that Enugu State runs the best Local Government system in the country...According to him, Enugu State is an example of a Local Government system that is free from undue interference, especially in terms of funds and resources.
http://m.news24.com/nigeria/National/News/Enugu-State-runs-best-LG-system-20131018

passion007: Enugu State has a lot going for it:
State with the least crime rate.


State with the Third largest IGR



Ease of Property Acquisition and Registration


Not to mention the sheer natural and infrastructural beauty of the state, the massive investments in agriculture, rural development, urban renewal etc...Sullivan Chime has etched his name in gold in the annals of history!

Igbo mmamma nu!

Gboliwe: I like this. But, how recent is this? I don't believe Enugu has the least crime rate, not with Eshoot and IMT tutu still around. Source. . . without maggi and pepper please.

Donmarrius: Igboland is beginning to witness massive investments.And the most happiest part of it,is that,80%-90% of those investors,are sons and daughters of Igbo origin,and the investments are 'real' investments.Not the type being witnessed in other part of Nigeria,especially that part of Nigeria where Biscuits and sweet companies littered all over there,are being counted as investments,and yet,90% of those investments are being owned by outsiders.one wonders what our brothers from that part of the country,are doing,with their acclaimed 'sophistication'.

passion007:
Per your request, the links have been added.

ketoprofen: Passion007, you are right all through except in the LGA thing.
Nice update

passion007:

How do you mean?
The info I posted is verifiable.

ketoprofen:

then the person lied

passion007:
He's the ALGON boss, remember?

ketoprofen: So what?
What has the lgas in Enugu achieved?

According to him, Enugu State is an example of a Local Government system that is free from undue interference, especially in terms of funds and resources.

Gboliwe: Wow, that's good to know. The IG says its based on statistics and empirical studies. I must have to agree and quote him when necessary. What do I know to disagree with him?

Great news. Sullivan is doing well!

adconline:
Why do we thank politicians first before entrepreneurs who are risking their hard earned money?

adconline:
Why do we thank politicians first before entrepreneurs who are risking their hard earned money?

Gboliwe: because if they don't enable the environment, the entrepreneurs will be frustrated

adconline:
It's Heineken Plant in AMA that keeps Tetralog in business. They are no 1 logistics provider to NB Plc. So this company has been in business before Chime became governor.. Owner built his company without any govt assistance now the govt is taking the glory.. Nairaland is full of funny people.

passion007: Enugu State has a lot going for it:
State with the least crime rate.


State with the Third largest IGR

Gboliwe:

Na you sabi.
I heard that brewery was originally meant to be in abia atate and orji uzo frustrated them out

passion007:
He made his remark in the context of Enugu being the state with the least crime rate. Now tell me if that's an accolade for ENSG or for entrepreneurs?

The main article is full of effusive praise for entrepreneurs who "dared" to invest in the state.

So, what's your angle, really?

passion007:

That is scarcely the point.
Or, did we read different articles?
This is the criterion used to adjudge Enugu as the state that runs the best LG system:



If you undertake another study to determine which state has the most productive LGAs and you discover that Enugu is lagging, I'll equally help you post it here for all to see.

adconline:
Why do we thank politicians first before entrepreneurs who are risking their hard earned money?

ketoprofen:

with pix and concrete evidence.
Don't give me mere articles

adconline:
With or without Enugu' govt "genius effort" entrepreneur would have located in Enugu.. But without NB Plc, entrepreneur wouldn't have located located to Enugu. Entrepreneur started business in Onitsha and moved to Enugu.. Econs 101 nearness to market .. ie.. NB Plc.