In a strategic effort to foster a supportive environment for commerce, the Ebonyi State Government has inaugurated the Ebonyi One-Stop-Shop (EBOSS). This centralized hub is specifically designed to significantly improve the ease of doing business by eliminating bureaucratic obstacles that have historically impeded economic growth within the state.
The launch event, held at the Staff Development Centre in Abakaliki, saw the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Oguzor Offia-Nwali, perform the unveiling on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru. Offia-Nwali explained that EBOSS will streamline administrative services for entrepreneurs and investors, including business registration and licensing.
He emphasized that the newly approved center’s core mission is to bring essential regulatory services closer to citizens, thus providing easier access to the necessary agencies for business operations. Senior government officials, including the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Prof. Chukwuma Uguru, were present at the event.
Dr. Stephen Odo, Director-General of the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EB-SEMEDIA), confirmed that EBOSS functions as a unified platform where numerous business-related services can be accessed seamlessly. He noted that the project is directly aligned with the Governor’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda, which prioritizes strengthening economic development and enhancing service delivery.
According to Odo, the center integrates digital platforms, which will significantly reduce the turnaround time for document processing and boost transparency. The initiative is anticipated to promote both local and foreign investments, contribute to job creation, and aid in economic diversification.
The EBOSS facility will house representatives from key agencies, including SMEDAN, FIRS, SON, CAC, NAFDAC, RMRDC, BOI, BOA, NEPC, and NIMC. Representatives from these agencies attended the launch and pledged improved service delivery to the business community.
Specifically, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) representative, Dr. Nnagozi Nwite, urged compliance with tax regulations and stressed the importance of obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN). Furthermore, the Bank of Industry (BOI) official, Engr. Asiegbu Chukwudi, committed to stationing dedicated staff at EBOSS to guide entrepreneurs on access to funding, product registration, quality control, and export documentation.
