By Ossom Raphael

Abuja – Saratu Umar, has assumed office for the second time as the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) after she was removed by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Saratu was removed as the Executive Secretary of the NIPC on the allegation that she leaked information on the granting of questionable tax waivers estimated to be worth $20bn.

But last week she was reappointed by President Muhammadu Buhari to oversee the affairs of the investment commission.

Speaking on her resumption of duty on Thursday in Abuja, Saratu said it is imperative that the Commission is positioned to ensure the Nigeria wins in the global market.

She said: “With the goings on in the country and around the world, our work is indeed cut out for us. It is with a positive attitude, that we must collectively, forge ahead and be on the frontline as effective advocates of investments in Nigeria, with the objective of making our country a top destination for global private capital.

“Therefore, we must stay focused, be development-oriented, and implement strategies for the greater achievement of our mandate.

“Global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) markets over the last decade have become more competitive, and the investment promotion thrust of countries that are attracting the largest global market share of FDI inflows are driven by effective, efficient, and performance-driven Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs).

“With over 170 IPAs worldwide competing to channel FDI to their different countries, it is imperative that the NIPC is positioned to ensure Nigeria wins in this global market. This is especially important with the onset of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement which is now in force.

The NIPC boss reiterated that the commission will be a strong public institution, with a private sector orientation that delivers effective and efficient services that exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the investment ecosystem.

“We will take to a logical conclusion the National Investment Promotion Masterplan which is aimed at having clear actions that key into Federal Government’s various sectoral masterplans and policies.

“We will orchestrate and execute targeted investment drives along country-specific, investor-specific, sector-specific, industry-specific, regionalspecific, and investment-type specific strategies to facilitate FDI (and LDI – Local Direct Investment)that fit into Nigeria’s development and investment needs, in an inclusive, coordinated, tangible, measurable and effective manner.

“We will logically conclude the National Investment Promotion Coordination Framework, to provide a clear strategy for a seamless collaboration and coordination of the Investment eco-system, as well as usher in a robust and effective stakeholder communication and engagement.

“This will result in effective partnerships between NIPC and critical stakeholders including the international community and development partners. We will listen to, and work with, our stakeholders,” Saratu reiterated.