31TH ENUGU INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR: MINISTER URGES SOUTH EAST GOVERNORS TO KEY INTO FG’s ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION PROJECT
The Federal Government has urged the South East to key into the Federal Government’s economic diversification policy for rapid development of the region.
The Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, said this during the closing ceremony of the thirty-first Enugu International Trade Fair.
Dr. Ogah explained that Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SME’s), in the metal industry involved in manufacturing, fabrication, production and supply of spare parts would be assisted by the government in purchase of specialized equipment to improve their capacities and productivity.
“It also a wake up call for us as a nation to look inwards for alternatives and sustainable sources of revenue through diversification to finance people oriented programs and projects,” Dr. Oga stated.
He further urged South East governments to support its citizens through the establishment of a dedicated team that would help tap into the “one local government, one product” initiative of the Federal Government.
“I will like to invite the Enugu Chamber of Commerce and the business community in the South East to key into the present government’s next level agenda, which hinges on economic industrialization and diversification through business growth and entrepreneurship.
“The SMEs can plug into the numerous micro credit schemes like trader money, farmers and market money, which the government is using to reach over ten million Nigerians. There are equally the development banks, which support the growth of entrepreneurs through flexible credit offers. They should take advantage of this.
“The South East state government should support its citizens through the establishment of a dedicated team that will help to tap into the one local government one product initiative of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (SMEDAN) through cooperation by building capacities in the state,” Dr. Oga urged.
He also urged the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture (ECIMMA) to work with the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment in building a business friendly scheme that entrepreneurs can benefit from.
He said that, “business people in the region should reach out to the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development to invest in the numerous untapped mineral resources in Nigeria. This is the time to focus on minerals as a key sector in the diversification efforts of the Federal Government.”
In a remark the President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, (ECCIMA), Chief Emeka Nwandu, represented by the first deputy president of the chamber, Mr. Jasper Nduagwuike, commended the Enugu State Government for providing an enabling environment for local and foreign investors in the area.
“It is indeed noteworthy that the participation of Enugu state, the host state in the fair, is quite incumbent and has no doubt giving vent to the overall success of the fair,” the ECCIMA boss commended.
He said that the chamber aims at transforming Enugu State into a mega, corporate and economically vibrant state.
According to Chief Nwandu, “Indeed, is our day because we just do not only share in the dream of transforming Enugu City and Enugu state into a mega, corporate and economically vibrant state.”
Some of the participants while commending the organizers of the 2020 fair for hosting it successfully, stressed the need for construction of permanent structures at the trade fair complex to encourage more investors to participate in the ten-day exhibition.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the government house to intimate him on the activities of the ministry.
CHUKWUMA EZEOGU