BY IKECHUKWU ODU / ENUGU
The Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NSCCIMA) Enugu State, yesterday11 declared to partner industrialists and entrepreneurs in Nsukka cultural zone to boost sustainable economic growth.
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The newly elected President of the Chamber, Barr. Sam Otoboeze, made the declaration during courtesy visits to some industrialists in Nsukka cultural zone to seek partnership for promotion of entrepreneurship development in the zone .
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Otoboeze, while appreciating the efforts of industrialists in reducing unemployment, said that Enugu North senatorial zone needs more industries to cushion the effects of hardship and curb crime surge in the zone.
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He stated that the chamber would help to encourage small scale businesses in Nsukka, if given necessary support. He equally said that exportation of products would be easier for farmers and production companies using the platform.
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He however appealed to other indigenes of Nsukka zone to invest at home, adding that Nsukka would change from consumption to production zone in the near future.
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“We are mandated to promote businesses in our area. Of course, the cardinal objectives of the chamber is to promote entrepreneurs and businesses in Nsukka zone in particular, Enugu state, and Nigeria at large through support.
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“It’s in line with these that NSCCIMA is paying you courtesy visit as our outstanding entrepreneur and industrialist because of your contribution in growing Nsukka brand.
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“We know your contributions to the development of businesses in Nsukka zone. We are proud of Wilson Group for the great mark you have made in processing and distributions of various goods for several decades now.
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“We are happy to hear that you have diversified into so many areas of vegetable oil production, soap making, agro businesses, gas distribution, plastic production, noddles production and many others.
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“You have over supported NSCCIMA in the recent past trade fair and there is a new momentum of repositioning business in Nsukka zone and that’s what guided us to your office. 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.
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“We appeal for a befitting ware house where we will be consolidating produces before exporting, a Secretariat and logistics like vehicles to help us render services to the people,” he appealed.
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Responding, the Chairman and CEO of Wilson Group of Companies, Chief William Agbo, commended the President of NSCCIMA, Barr. Otoboeze, for taking a bold step, adding that he was not surprised of what he can do to turn around the chamber and achieve results.
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He accepted the Chamber’s request to be part of them, saying, “we have made a decision to be part of them, we want to join them and partner with them in whatever they are doing and believe they will grow higher and we will equally grow higher.”
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While appealing to the government to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive, he regretted the effect of poor energy supply (electricity), adding that the company relys on generators to run its production.
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He also lamented the bad state of 9th Mile-Obollo Afor expressway, appealing to the government to repair the road and ensure adequate security in the state.
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“He has taken a bold step. I know him before and not surprised by what he did because he has been doing things even greater than this. I’m impressed.
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“We have made the decision to be fully part of them, we want to join them and partner with them in whatever they’re doing. We believe that they are going to grow higher and we equally grow higher.
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“We have many challenges but one of the greatest problems we have is energy. We run most of the time on the generator. And you see, Nsukka is very far away from the pipeline. We don’t have it and even if we have it, running companies on generator is very expensive.
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“That’s one major problem and another is logistics which is an enabling environment. At times our vehicle will stay two weeks on the road between Ogbede and Ochima communities both in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, between 9th Mile Corner to Nsukka. Sometimes we use stones to fill the potholes on the road before our vehicle could pass, and again insecurity is another challenge that we are facing,” he said.
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Also visited was Vee Tek group of companies that produces electric fuses and all sorts of pipe, ranging from electric pipe, water and sewage pipe.
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The chairman and CEO of the company, Chief Vitalis Abbah, expressed satisfaction and threw his support to NSCCIMA for the development of the economy of the zone.
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He also decried the effect of bad roads and poor power supply in doing businesses, adding that the increase in fuel price would affect production as the company uses generators mostly to run its businesses.
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