Katsina State government has assured potential investors of the state’s commitment to promoting the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) in harnessing its human and natural resources.

The Director-General, Katsina State Investment and Promotion Agency (KIPA), Ibrahim Jimkashi, gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen in the state, yesterday.

Jikamshi said polices regarding EoDB had been fine-tuned by state government to ensure potential investors would not face hurdles usually encountered when trying to invest in a state.

He said it was due to significant strides recorded by the state in EoDB that made it qualify for a $4 million reward under the World Bank-supported Prior Results Programme for Agricultural Reform (PPAR).

According to him, the reward is in recognition for promoting EoDB as well as promoting sustainable land use practices in the state.

The state government, he said, recently inaugurated two committees tasked with deepening EoDB and promoting land use practices, which was inaugurated by the deputy governor of the state, Farouk Jobe.

Jikamshi described the two committees as a step towards implementing policies that would greatly benefit Katsina citizens and position the state for further opportunities.

The state, according to him, is among four Nigerian states to qualify for the $4 million reward, even as he expressed optimism about securing an additional $30.5 million, by fulfilling requirements for the 2023 activities.

The Guardian reports that while inaugurating the two committees on EoDB and land use practices, the deputy governor highlighted their critical roles in advancing responsible agricultural investment.

He said the terms of reference include promoting transparency in agribusiness investments, encouraging inclusive production models, safeguarding tenure rights holders against dispossession, monitoring the impacts of agribusiness investments, including compensation standards, to ensure environmental sustainability, promoting gender equality and empowering women and youth, and to review land allocation policies.

“These measures aim to ensure that agricultural investments align with international best practices, while benefiting all stakeholders,” he said.