Gov Mbah urges S’East, S’South chambers of commerce to facilitate usage of ports

Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah, has urged chambers of commerce in the South East and South-South to facilitate the usage of various ports in the two regions for commercial businesses.

The governor made the call on Friday in Enugu while declaring open the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair.

Mbah said the regions should begin lobbying for the opening up of viable waterways for commercial businesses and movements of goods through the River Niger Port, Ibom Deep Port, and Oguta Port, among others.

According to him, this is to facilitate trade and large movements of goods as well as check the excess use of the roads to convey goods, which is more expensive.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Mr. Ifeanyi Ossai, used the occasion to urge the Federal Government to bring to reality its resolve and pledge to build the Enugu International Trade Fair complex to international standards according to its master plan.

Mbah noted that for equity, there was a need for the Federal Government to build and complete the fair complex, just as it had done in the Kaduna and Lagos fair complexes.

“We cannot easily explain to our people why this fair complex is not developed, while that of Kaduna and Lagos has been fully built and developed by the Federal Government.

“I charge the Federal Minister, here present, to make a formal memo to the Federal Executive Council for its development. We cannot afford to wait any longer on this vital economic development move,” he said.

He also called on the chamber and the organised private sector in the region to work towards it through executive and legislative lobbying and advocacy, as well as media awareness on the matter.

Mbah said that the state had passed and signed its Electricity Act, which meant that very soon it would give licences to private investors to produce electricity in the state.

“We know how vital the place of constant and reliable electricity is to the industrialization and economic growth of our dear state,” he said.

On the theme of the fair, “Promoting Made in Nigeria Products for Global Competitiveness,"  he described it as apt, adding that only massive productive activities, especially goods patronised by Nigerians, could lead the country to prosperity.

“It is also good that we add quality and value to every Nigerian product we promote to gain global competitiveness and acceptability,” he said.

The Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, noted that with its wealth of agricultural and mineral resources, Enugu State was in a prime position to lead the push for products made in Nigeria.

Nnaji said that the state’s potential for various industries, including energy, pharmaceuticals, and building materials, laid the groundwork for substantial economic change and industrial growth.

He said, “To make the most of this potential, it is vital for the state to encourage investment and offer financial incentives to businesses.

“Enugu’s key location and the increasing demand for local products highlight big market opportunities.

“This effort is supported by Presidential Executive Order Number 5 and the goals of my Ministry to use innovation, science, and technology as the main drivers of economic change.

“We are dedicated to improving the quality and appeal of locally made products, as demonstrated by our backing of engineering developments and research efforts.”

In a welcome address, Chief Odeiga Jideonwo, President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mining, and Agriculture (ECCIMA), called on the Federal Government through the CBN to reconsider reviewing the downward interest rate.

Jideonwo noted that the policies of the government, especially as they affected credit to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), should be made to work by using business associations as buffers for their members who were genuinely in need of credit facilities to expand their businesses.

According to him, now is the time to support the startups and SMEs, which will in turn tackle the issues of unemployment, insecurity, hunger, etc. in our country for wealth creation.

The president said that this would go a long way towards unleashing the economies of most states in the Federation, thereby expanding the frontiers of the nation’s economy.

“One of the unique features of the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair is the presence of the second 1000-square-metre marquee tent designated to accommodate SMEs from Enugu State.

“All thanks to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mba, for sponsoring the installation of this tent where all SMEs are showcasing their products and services.

“By this, the ingenuity and new ideas in the state would be brought to bear for commercialization. We have also made entry to the fair complex free for all visitors. This is aimed at driving more traffic into the fair.