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The Kogi Coalition of Business and Professional Associations (KOCOBPA) yesterday said a survey it conducted in collaboration with the Centre for International Private Enterprises (CIPE) has identified five key factors killing businesses in Kogi State.
State Chairman of KOCOBPA, Dr John Alabi, disclosed this in Lokoja at the public presentation of the document, ‘Kogi State Business Agenda’ which contains details of its survey and recommendations for government action.
He said the study carried out across all the local government areas of the state identified difficulties in accessing finance, lack of business incubation centre, infrastructural deficits, poor sanitation/waste management and insecurity of lives and property as key factors hampering growth of businesses in the state.
According to him, the study used the methodology of structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and personal observations to arrived at its findings, noting that the findings validated the position of the Coalition members as issues identified were germane to effectiveness of business activities in the state.
The study amongst others recommends that the state government should state government should begin approval of certificates of occupancy (C of O) to enable business owners use their properties as collateral for credit facilities.
It also recommends that government should encourage and attract the establishment of Bank of Industry (BOI) in the state to make SME loans more accessible to the people.
The study urged the state government to establish four Business Incubation Centres (BICs) to be located in Lokoja, and one in each of the three senatorial districts of the state.
It also recommended that government should link-up rural communities to the national grid, rehabilitate rural and urban roads, address issues of poor sanitation/waste management and tackle menace of insecurity in order to guarantee favorable environment for businesses to grow.
Credits: Itodo Daniel Sule | Daily Trust
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