Importers have called on the Federal Government to take agriculture and solid minerals seriously in the face of dwindling oil revenues and naira devaluation, which are hurting businesses.
They warn that until the country’s leaders return to pre-independence era where agriculture was given a place of priority in the country, Nigeria would continue to drift downwards in its effort to sustain itself.
Valentine Ezechukwu, chairman, Millennium Merchant Importers Association, Onitsha, who likened the current situation to the period of the global economy crisis of the mid 2000, said importers, especially those from the South East of the country, bear the brunt of the naira devaluation most.
Ezechukwu therefore urged the National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCOL) not to abandon operations at the nation’s airports during the yuletide in order not to make clearing of cargoes difficult.
The importers’ boss criticised the monthly fiscal allocation formula of the country, which he said had contributed to the lazy attitude of some states in building and sustaining a strong and virile economic base as they continually wait for the monthly federal allocation to run their states.
He, however, charged Nigerians to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s programmes on the power sector to lift it from the doldrums.
ODINAKA ANUDU
