By Ediri Ejoh

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Okechuckwu Enelamah has identified policy institutionalization as one of the current challenges confronting his ministry in implementing profitable policy that will shore up development for the economy.

Enelamah

Speaking during the 2016 KPMG Alumni Cocktail and presentation of its 2nd edition, KPMG Alumni Magazine, titled ‘Interactions’, the Minister said that it is their mandates to diversify the economy and ensure that the country’s economy move beyond the current pace, and the ministry has put in place policies that are long time in nature and can stand the test of time.

He said: “The crisis we are having right now actually makes opportunity better, because everybody is saying what can we do, nobody is pretending that things is normal and the good thing about this present administration is that it is people –centred- government, but good intention have to be translated into good policy that grow economy.”

Enelamah also stated that his ministry has identified four basic principles which are fundamental to any economy but difficult to do, “aside from creating enable environment for industry, trade and investment where government will act as a partner to business and not a competitor.

“We also propose for a change of mindset. How can you imagine a situation where government have a ‘service culture’ like; how can we help? It doesn’t means you don’t regulate but means you are actually trying to service those coming to you as if they are clients. That is what I propose to member of the ministry and we are working toward it.”

“In area of industrialization, there is actually a document prepared under the previous government called Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan; it’s a good policy that needs to be implemented. This will help us move from mere talk to action.”

“In area of Small Medium Entrepreneur, SME, we are going to remove the buckle neck and provide more training which is difficult for small business to do on its own. Another key point of development is on infrastructure, and the present administration is keen to revamping it,” he said.
While soliciting the support of private investors, said that the opportunity he has to serve the country will be use to create a better country.

“Our commitment is to improve the investment climate and when we do that, opportunities and incentive for firms to then invest productively, create the jobs and all those good things will happen. The only thing we need now is capacity to do it and this is where the private sector relationship comes in, we need private sector capacity, capital and resources to partner with government to built the country.”