EASE OF DOING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA: FG Reaffirms Commitment. .... Will ensure the smooth flow of foreign investors and investment into Nigeria.

PS, Interior, Alh. Shuaib Belgore pose with delegation from Shell.

"The mandate of the Interior Ministry include the formulation and implementation of Policies and Programmes of government that enhances internal security, public safety." Says Shuaib Belgore.

"It will create an enabling business environment for domestic and foreign investors and the maintenance of citizenship integrity, all of which are key pillars in the priority areas of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration."

The Federal Government once more reaffirms commitment to the Ease of Doing Business with stakeholders in order to ensure the smooth flow of foreign investors and investment into Nigeria.  

L-R, Onyekachi Igwe, Corporate Relations Adviser, Shell Liaison Abuja, Perm Sec.Interior Dr Shuaib Belgore, VP, HR Shell, Mr  Olukayode Ogunleye and Mrs Titilope Babatunde, PSC, Liaison, Shell  on a courtesy visit to the Ministry on  Tuesday, 3rd March 2022 in Abuja.

The Permanent Secretary of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore stated this when the Vice-President, Human Resource (VP-HR) Shell Nigeria, Mr Olukayode Ogunleye and his colleagues paid a working visit to his office in the Ministry of Interior, Abuja.

A statement issued and signed by Blessing Lere-Adams, Director Media and Public Relations Department of the Ministry, disclosed that Dr Shuaib Belgore had reiterated that, amongst others, the mandate of the Ministry include the formulation and implementation of Policies and Programmes of government that enhances internal security,  public safety, an enabling business environment for domestic and foreign investors and the maintenance of citizenship integrity, all of which are key pillars in the priority areas of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.

Speaking further, Dr Shuaib Belgore said the Ministry of Interior has the responsibility of processing citizenship application and the mandate of registration of statutory marriages, issuance of business permits to foreign companies and approvals of expatriate quota allocation.

Dr Belgore assured that the Division of Enforcement Investigation and Inspection in the Ministry of Interior’s duty is largely to ensure compliance to the updated guidelines on the Administration of expatriate quota and other business instruments in Nigeria which hopefully shall enable Federal Government provide a condusive working business environment for all stakeholders.  

"It is not to witch hunt but rather to reposition the  management of these instruments of business for greater efficiency and effectiveness; thereby curbing illegality and corruption in the system." He said.

Belgore affirmed that the Ministry is ready to collaborate with Shell Nigeria and hopes to maintain a good working relationship that enhances the economic growth of the Nation.

Earlier, Mr Olukayode Ogunleye, the Vice President Human Resource, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) confirmed that shell, Exxon Mobil are not leaving Nigeria.

"The Federal Government has a large share in it, but rather despite the very tough and trying environment around the Niger-Delta Region where most of their Oil wells are shutdown due to insecurity of lives and opportunities, they are still forging ahead to ensure equity diversification of their business to build smaller emerging business to assist in growing the Nigerian Economy from both the deep water business to the new Nigerian Natural Liquidified Gas (NNLG)."

"This will enhance the transfer of gas and power to Aba, Ota and Agbara; - all these he  said are huge businesses in which the Federal Government of Nigeria owns large shares." Ogunleye stated.

Present during the visit are the Director of Citizenship and Business (Barr.) Mrs Moremi Soyinka-Onijala, Director General Services Mr Sylvanus Esinwoke, Director Press and Public Relations, Mrs Blessing Lere-Adams.  The Permanent Secretary’s Aide, others are Mrs Titilope Babatunde, PSC Liaison and Onyekachi Igwe, Corporate Relations Adviser both of Shell Liaison Lagos and Abuja.