Chamber to promote Nsukka businesses with industrialists, entrepreneurs

The Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Mines, and Agriculture (NSCCIMA) in Enugu says it will partner with industrialists and entrepreneurs in the Nsukka cultural zone to bolster sustainable economic growth in the area.

The chamber said its cardinal objective was to promote entrepreneurs and businesses in the Nsukka zone in particular, the state, and the country at large through support.

The newly elected President of the Chamber, Mr. Sam Otoboeze, stated this during courtesy visits to some industrialists in the zone on Sunday.

The visits were to seek partnerships and promote entrepreneurship development.

One of the industrialists visited by the chamber was Chief William Agbo,Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Wilson Group of Companies.

Otoboeze, while appreciating the efforts of industrialists in reducing unemployment, said the Enugu North Senatorial Zone, which Nsukka belonged to,needed more industries to cushion the effects of hardships and curb the crime surge in the area.

He stated that the chamber would assist in encouraging small-scale businesses in Nsukka if given the necessary support, adding that the exportation of products would be easier for farmers and production companies using the platform.

The president, however, appealed to other indigenes of the Nsukka zone to invest at home, noting that it would change from a consumption to a production zone in the near future.

“It is our mandate to promote businesses in the Nsukka zone, and it is in line with this that NSCCIMA is paying you this courtesy visit for your contribution to growing the Nsukka brand.

“We know your contributions to the development of businesses in the Nsukka zone. We are proud of Wilson Group for the great mark you have made in the processing and distribution of various goods for several decades now.

“We are happy to hear that you have diversified into so many areas of vegetable oil production, soap making, agrobusinesses, gas distribution, plastic production, noddles production, and many others,” the president told Agbo.

Otoboeze commended him for supporting NSCCIMA during their trade fair, adding that there was a new momentum for repositioning businesses in the Nsukka zone.

“We want you to be part of the new momentum and bring others like you to join NSCCIMA to help us and other businesses go far.

“We appeal for a befitting warehouse where we will be consolidating produce before exporting.

“We also need a secretariat and logistics, like vehicles, to help us render services to the people,” he pleaded.”

Responding, Agbo commended Otoboeze and his team for taking a bold step, adding that he was not surprised at what they could do to turn around the chamber and achieve results.

He acknowledged the chamber’s request to be part of them, saying “We have made a decision to be part of the chamber; we want to join it and partner with it in whatever it is doing”.

While appealing to the government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, Agbo decried the effects of poor energy supply, adding that the company relied heavily on generators to run its production.

He also lamented the bad state of the 9th Mile-Obollo Afor expressway and appealed to the government to also repair the road and ensure adequate security in the state.

“At times, our vehicles will stay two weeks on the road between Ogbede and Ochima communities, both in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, between 9th Mile Corner and Nsukka.

“Sometimes we use stones to fill the potholes on the road before our vehicles can pass, and again, insecurity is another challenge that we are facing,” he said.

Also visited was the Vee Tek Group of Companies, which produces electric fuses and all sorts of pipes, ranging from electric to water to sewage.

Chief Vitalis Abbah, Chairman and CEO of the company, expressed satisfaction at the viit and threw his support to NSCCIMA for the development of the economy of the zone.

He also decried the effect of bad roads and poor power supply on businesses, adding that the increase in fuel prices would affect production as the company used generators mostly to run its businesses.