The Ebonyi State Government on Wednesday launched the Ebonyi One-Stop-Shop (EBOSS), a centralised hub designed to streamline business registration, licensing and other administrative services for entrepreneurs and investors in the state.
The facility, unveiled at the Staff Development Centre, Abakaliki, was inaugurated on behalf of Governor Francis Nwifuru by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Oguzor Offia-Nwali.
He said the new centre was approved to improve the ease of doing business and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles that have slowed economic growth in the state.
According to him, the initiative will bring essential services closer to citizens and provide easier access to regulatory agencies required for business operations.
Also present at the event was the Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development, Prof. Chukwuma Uguru, alongside other senior government officials.
The Director-General of the Ebonyi State Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (EB-SEMEDIA), Dr Stephen Odo, said EBOSS was created as a unified platform where multiple business-related services can be accessed seamlessly.
He noted that the project aligns with the governor’s People’s Charter of Needs agenda aimed at strengthening economic development and improving service delivery.
Odo said the centre integrates digital platforms, reduces turnaround time for processing documents, and enhances transparency.
He added that it is expected to promote local and foreign investments, support job creation, and encourage economic diversification.
Agencies expected to operate from the One-Stop-Shop include SMEDAN, FIRS, SON, CAC, NAFDAC, RMRDC, BOI, BOA, NEPC and NIMC.
Representatives of these agencies who attended the launch pledged their support and assured businesses of improved service delivery.
A representative of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Dr Nnagozi Nwite, stressed the importance of obtaining a Tax Identification Number (TIN) and encouraged business operators to comply with tax regulations.
Also, an official from the Bank of Industry (BOI), Engr. Asiegbu Chukwudi, promised to station dedicated staff at the facility to guide entrepreneurs on access to funding, product registration, quality control and export documentation.
