Lagos State To Participate in NIPC’s Certification Program for States
State Correspondent
The Lagos State government’s investment promotion agency – Office of SDGs & Investment, also known as Lagos Global has expressed interest in participating in the Nigerian Investment Certification Program for States (NICPS) that is anchored by Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).
Permanent Secretary, Lagos Global, Mrs Abosede George made this known while receiving NIPC’s Head, South West Zonal Office (SWZO), Mr Hassan Lawal and his team at her office on Wednesday.
While intimating Lagos Global about the benefits of participating in the NICPS, Mr Lawal noted that the programme will enable Lagos to market her investment opportunities efficiently and promote clear opportunities to investors.
Speaking on the preparedness of Lagos Global and the Lagos State government for the certification programme, Mrs George stated that they had already commenced work on digitizing applications for land permits and obtaining taxes.
She further stated that by March this year, One Stop Shops will be opened in three centres in Lagos State – in the Victoria Island, Lekki and Ikeja areas.
According to her, the Lagos State government will also introduce tax incentives. She further disclosed that the Lagos Global team are working on implementing a robust Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tool, to streamline handling of processes, ease doing business and spur investments into their States.
Mr Lawal further called for more productive collaborations with State Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs). He stated that State IPAs should create more awareness about various doing business reforms carried out in the State.
Recall that NIPC commenced the NICPS to certify participating States on their ability to meet up investors’ expectations in 3 standards: information, property and marketing.
The program which started in 2016 has seen only 3 states awarded certifications, having met up with the aforementioned standards.
(Lagos Business News)
