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Enugu state Government has assured partnership with the Enugu Chamber of Commerce Industry Mining and Agriculture ( ECCIMA) on economic development of the state, just as the chamber has announced April 4Th kick-off date for it’s 36Th International Trade Fair.
The state Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah gave the assurance on Thursday,i at the 51st Annual General Meeting of ECCIMA held at Emeka Okwuosa hall, ECCIMA Secretariat, Enugu.
Responding to the request made by the Chamber to be carried along on economic decision making in the state, the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented the Stare Governor Dr Peter Mbah assured that ECCIMA will be involved in the Economic developmental plans of the state.
He commended the Chamber for its commitment in promoting the economic growth of the state , disclosing that the state government had put some measures in place to attract more investors to the state, enable businesses to thrive and make Enugu state the economic hub of Nigeria .
Pix: Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai
Governor Mbah said the state government will meet with ECCIMA team and discuss further ways of promoting businesses in the state. He added that his administration was aware of the challenges the business community faced and was doing everything possible to remove the bottlenecks that affect businesses in the state by building infrastructure, providing security, introducing unified rate payment system among others.
To the business community he said, “there is a lot more to do with you. You have a willing government. A government that is ready to work with you..Our primary responsibility is to make you thrive because if you succeed we succeed.”,
He urged ECCIMA to support the state government in manpower development , noting that the state was building Smart schools to produce children with digital skills and technological knowhow, and ECCIMA would be supportive by taking them for internship.
On multiple taxation Governor, Mbah said steps had been taken to deal with it. He disclosed that the state government had expanded tax payment ,so that those who were not paying taxes should start paying
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of ECCIMA, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo said AGM is an event for stock taking, where an account of the Council’s stewardship is rendered and the direction of the Chamber is also discussed.
He thanked God for the success stories ECCIMA had recorded so far . He also commended the founding fathers and other past leaders of the Chamber, for their commitment.
Pix: ECCIMA President, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo
The President said , “ECCIMA is 62 years. this year. growing with lots of experience, enlarged membership base, assets expansion, stronger advocacy voice and higher level international networking. All these have been by God’s special grace.
Jideonwo commended the state government for the massive development in the state , especially the investment in transport infrastructure as well as the latest Executive order No. 1, 2025 and land use regulation 2025 signed by the Governor.
He said the land Use regulation had brought clarity in land administration by designating some areas as urban areas, “This is indeed a major milestone for the State as it will help to decongest the city of Enugu State.
“All these have indeed given the Enugu City improved ambiance and facelift, befitting its status as not only the Capital City of Enugu State but also of the former Eastern region, East Central State, and Old Anambra State respectively.”, he said.
ECCIMA President commended the state government for the support given to the Chamber before and during the 35th Enugu international Trade Fair. He hinted that . “In less than two weeks, the internal road of the Trade Fair Complex would be completely rehabilitated by the state Government.
” The Government also provided a 1000sqm fully Air-conditioned Tent that housed SMEs in Enugu State, at almost no cost, to enable them participate in the Fair. This was crowned with the Deputy Governor who represented His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mba on April 5, 2024 to lay the foundation for the construction of the first, 2000 SQM exhibition hall at the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex.”
Pix: ECCIMA DG, Uche Mbah
He appealed to the state government and other friends of the Chamber to support them in the legacy project which they hope will be commissioned by the state Governor, Peter Mbah for use at the opening ceremony of the 36th Enugu International Trade Fair slated to hold on April 4, 2025
“Your Excellency, we wish to once again appreciate the consolidated efforts being made by the Enugu State government to improve the state business environment. Your regular town hall meetings with the business community is commendable. We urge you to remain focused and to keep up the good works. It is our hope that these efforts would be sustained because, “our tomorrow is here, ” Jideonwo said
The ECCIMA President also commended the tax policy of the State Government which he said , has brought more people into the tax net of the Government, appealing that effort should be made to launch a one stop shop, unified tax payment system for the State to avoid multiple payment of same tax to the State and Local government at the same time.
He appealed that efforts should be made to facilitate the opening of the new International Terminal building at the Akanu. ibiam International Airport to attract more International Flights to Enugu. to keep the State on the Global tourism map.
Jideonwo , who marked one year in office as the 17th President of the Council, assured ECCIMA’s commitment to the promotion of business and economic development of Enugu state..
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, ECCIMA Board of Trustees, Robert Awagu and former President ,Eric Chime , commended Governor Mbah for his good works in the state. They appealed to the state government to always involve ECCIMA in economic decision makings in the state.
Author: Maureen Ikpeama