Ease of Doing Business: Small Claims Court Officials in Gombe Receive Training

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, has flagged off a two-day training for appellate judges, magistrates and court officials of small claims court in Gombe, to boost the ease of doing business environment in the state.

The training, organised by the state government in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC, is aimed at educating the judges and court officials on the rudiments of small claims justice administration, which will subsequently improve small businesses.

Declaring the training open, the Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Manassah Daniel Jatau, said the capacity building workshop was one of the numerous segments in the complex activities to ensure that ease of doing business was attained in the state.

Dr. Jatau said the workshop was intended to enhance and improve the administration’s performance to the height of perfection, explaining that the state has been at the forefront of providing a conducive atmosphere for the ease of doing business, which he said had aided Gombe State’s rating as the first for two consecutive years, as well as the most peaceful state in the country.

“In good time let me present the goodwill and appreciation of His Excellency, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, the government and entire residents of Gombe for your love of Gombe State.  That you have set aside other programmes to attend this one, is appreciated.  This demonstrates the fact that you are with him in the remarkable achievements recorded in all aspects of the economy, of the state,” said Dr. Jatau.

He said the capacity building workshop and Small Claims Courts Practice Direction were highly commendable, as well as germane to the performance of the courts and other organizations that render services or produce goods. 

“That our clients and even member complaints are very common, sometimes leading to goal displacement, is a great source of concern,” Dr. Jatau said.

The Gombe State Deputy Governor challenged the people to identify their roles in society and its activities and conduct it with all transparency, and timeliness devoid of any sentiment to make it easy for clients, suppliers and consumers.

The Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Shamaki Mohammed, explained that the training marked a significant milestone in the judiciary because it would equip the appellate court judges, magistrates and court officials with the requisite knowledge of administration of justice on the small claims court for the benefit of the business environment and the development of the state.

Justice Mohammed, described the small claims court as the gateway and special component of justice administration, but warned that the participants should ensure adherence to the established laws and avoid cutting corners in the practice.

She also pledged to ensure that no stone was left unturned in providing justice to the small businesses in the state.

Meanwhile, the representative of the Special Adviser to the Presidential on Enabling Business Environment Council, PEBEC,  a Senior Reform Leader, Mrs Aimeya Okpebholo, said the small claims court was one of the initiatives of the council to improve the ease of doing business environment, which started in Kano 2018 and Lagos States.

Mrs. Okpebholo congratulated Gombe State for ranking first twice on the ease of doing business scale and for organising the workshop for the training of judges to impart knowledge on the requirements of operations of the courts.

The Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Gambo Magaji said the training would educate and equip the participants with the knowledge of making the business environment accessible.