World Bank, IFC, Declares Kano Leader In 2010

PHOTO: KANO STATE GOVERNOR IBRAHIM SHEKARAU.

ABUJA, June 10, (THEWILL) - The World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) today made Kano State leader amongst all the states of the federation in the 2010 edition of Doing Business in Nigeria released in Abuja.

The report that evaluated eight states out of eleven in 2008 showed that there has been substantial improvements in areas measured in the last two years.

Out of 14 reforms recorded, eleven focused on property registration and construction permits.

"Kano is the top reformer, with reforms in three out of four indicators, the top three performers are Jigawa, Gombe and Borno State," the report revealed.

An overview of the report indicated that Nigerian states have been actively reforming to encourage business activities over the past two years.

The report by both Breton Wood Institutions, which is second in the series, analyzed business regulation in Nigerian states.

The report also examined wide variation in local business regulation across the country and enough opportunities for further reforms, citing the example of Port Hacourt which published court statistics on-line to improve court efficiency.

Speaking on the report, the World Bank Group Vice President and Head of Network, Financial and Private sector Development, Janamitra Devan said efficient, accessible and simple regulations could unleash the natural entrepreneurship of small and medium size firms in Nigeria and even beyond.

"This report unravels a dynamic synergy in which all states can learn from local regulations and practices of their peers," Devan said.

Opening up the secret behind Kano State’s success in the 2010 Doing Business report, Governor Ibrahim Shekarau revealed that several factors were responsible as according to him, the focus of his administration was in the area of human capital development, a development which ensured that the state has the requisite manpower with the right frame of mind and attitude to work.

The Governor also said he was able to identify the right people to execute the projects without reference to party affiliations in addition to careful utilization of scarce resources.