Infrastructure, security vital to economic development, says NACCIMA president

For Nigeria to actualise its dream of becoming one of the industrialised nations of the world, government must demonstrate practical will and pay special attention in the provision of infrastructure and ensure the security of lives and property of citizens.
Muhammad Abubakar, national president, Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), who made this observation in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State at the opening ceremony of this year’s Aba International Trade Fair, stated that it is only at this point that foreign investors would be more confident to invest in the country.
Represented at the event by John Udeagbala, national vice president, NACCIMA, Abubakar observed also that the inability of government to embrace trade fairs as a vehicle for global and regional integration is one of the most notable challenges towards enhancing economic growth and development in the country.
Trade fairs, according to him, are avenues for business interaction between the manufacturers, exhibitors, investors and visitors. They also provide opportunities for the exhibition of many discovered technologies, products and services, he noted.
He appealed to government to continue to partner and render support to the chamber of commerce movement in Nigeria and the organised private sector by creating an enabling and conducive environment for businesses to thrive.
Anthony Enukeme, president, Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA), earlier in his address advocated the diversification of the country’s economy.
He urged the Federal Government and other tiers of government to use opportunities of trade fairs to identify various locally made products, which can earn high foreign exchange to the country, through exports and other global investment projects.
He explained that apart from garments and leather goods, Aba is also well known in other areas of commercial and industrial entrepreneurship, like metal fabrication and manufacturing of spare parts, cosmetics, soaps, detergents, plastics, among other items.
He observed that if Aba made products are properly articulated and formalised by the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) that the country’s national economic fortunes would improve.
He appealed to government to assist the real sector of the economy to grow through the provision of the necessary infrastructure as no nation can truly develop without the real sector.
He explained that the development of the leather and garment sub-sectors in Aba will stimulate Nigeria’s economic growth.