One of the digital reforms initiated by the Prince Dapo Abiodun-led administration and implemented through the $250M World Bank Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP), the automation of the State Business Premises Permit (BPP) has contributed to improving the business environment by making it possible for business operators to start and complete registration for the BPP within minutes.

Commissioner for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Kikelomo Longe stated this in Ota at a stakeholders’ Engagement and Training Programme on the automation policy for business operators in Ogun West Senatorial District, organised by the State government in partnership with the German Agency for Development, GIZ.

Represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Industry, Trade, and Investment, Ms. Sola Arobieke, Longe revealed that the event was the third in the series, after it was held in Ijebu-Ode for Ogun East Senatorial District and in Abeokuta for Ogun Central Senatorial District, to enlighten business operators on the process and benefits of registering their business premises via the portal- businesspermit.ogunstate.gov.ng.

She said the present administration had on September 1, 2021, launched the BPP portal to remove the bureaucratic bottlenecks, ease the process and improve investors’ experience, adding that business owners could now register for their Business Premises Permit within minutes from the comfort of their Offices instead of 18 days when it was done manually. 

The Commissioner said the Business Premises Permit was backed by law, adding that the automation reform had addressed the past concerns of business owners on exploitation or extortion as the reform had made the process transparent and fair to all. 

Reacting to a request for the manual process to be continued, Longe urged stakeholders to own the automation process and align with global best practice, assuring that the Ministry would provide relevant technical support that would respond to requests on time.

Earlier in his welcome address, the State Coordinator, GIZ, Mr. Stephen Dada, said the agency had partnered with the Ministry to help train business operators on the Business Premises Permit Portal, as well as other areas on development of entrepreneurs, stressing that Officers had been trained to provide necessary technical support.

Commending the present administration for the digital reform on the Business Premises Permit, Human Resource Support Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sango-Ota, Mr. Ayoola Johnson, said “the automation reform has made it easy to register for our permit without any stress. I believe Ogun State is stepping forward. Government has done its part, business owners too have to do their part by login on to the portal”.

Also speaking, General Services Manager, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Goddy Okoebor stated, “I am looking forward to making payment for Business Premises Permit through this digital platform. Anybody scared of embracing this digital platform does not appreciate the benefit of digitalisation”.