Christopher Isiguzo
Enugu State Government yesterday bowed to pressure from the business community in the state over the problem of multiple taxation as it affirmed readiness to take concrete measures aimed at removing barriers that hinder free investment in the state.
Governor Sullivan Chime specifically said the state government had set up a committee to deal with any issue that may hinder investment in the state, including multiple taxation and related matters.
He added that his administration had also put in place a massive and sustained investment in infrastructural development, security and economic expansion, which had made the state a choice destination for both local and foreign investors.
The governor who spoke as he inaugurated the multi-million naira Mercedes Benz Tetralog Sales and Service Centre along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, Enugu assured that he was determined to provide enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Rev. Raphael Nwoye, said his government took the decision in order to ensure that all barriers to free investment in the state were removed.
"We are indeed highly encouraged by the successes being recorded by all those who had dared to invest in Enugu State and so much so that we can now boldly say that it is unwise not to invest in Enugu State," Chime said.
He said his administration had also put in place massive and sustained investment in infrastructural development, security and economic expansion, which had made the state a choice destination for both local and foreign investors.
According to him, the state's business profile has been boosted by the presence of an international airport and the imminent approval of our free trade zone by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. He noted that the state is now reputed to be one of the fastest growing economies in Nigeria.
He therefore commended Tetralog management "for plugging into this new tide and for finding Enugu State worthy of such massive investment."
Welcoming the governor, the Managing Director of Tetralog Nigeria Limited, Mr. Onuorah Nnabugwu thanked Chime for creating the enabling environment that made it possible for his company to berth in the state.
Nnabugwu who disclosed that they started haulage business with only one Mercedes Benz L911 truck said that they have today in their fleet over 200 Benz trucks.
He expressed happiness that their centre was being inaugurated at a time the federal government was implementing a new auto policy that stipulates the payment of 35 per cent duty on imported commercial vehicles.
"The tariff is quite high as commercial vehicles form the bedrock of public transportation that drives any economy," he noted.
The Tetralog boss suggested that the tariff should have been gradual, "given our limited local capacity and the fact that our country is still struggling with inadequate power supply and poor infrastructure."
He therefore, advised the federal government to peg the import duty for commercial vehicles at 15 per cent as they link and impact directly on the economy.
The Tetralog MD thanked the Director of Mercedes Benz trucks and vans, Central and Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia, Dr. Kolja Rebstock and the Senior Manager Trucks and Vans, Mr Thomas Greipel for finding time to come to Enugu for the launching of the centre, which foundation stone was laid in last year April.
In a brief remark, the leader of the German Company, Daimler AG, Dr. Rebstock expressed happiness that Mercedes Benz has made rapid growth not only in Nigeria but also in Africa.
He assured that his company would continue to provide quality services to its teaming customers in areas of general services, technical and sales support, among others. He noted that Mercedes Benz had been founded more than 100 years ago and had continued to maintain quality services to the people.
Culled from www.thisdaylive.com
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