Kunle Adelabu
The Director – General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Mr Sola Obadimu, has called for more support from the government and media for the businesses, if they are to overcome economic challenges.
Obadimu said that the cash scarcity in the country has compounded challenges confronting businesses in the country.
NACCIMA DG spoke at the press conference to herald the 2nd Ikorodu Division Trade Fair held at the Boardroom of the Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH), Ikorodu, where he pledged the support of the national body of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the country, to the initiative.
“We are very happy to support this initiative which is the Ikorodu Trade Fair, which is the second edition. We also learnt that the University is also supporting this particular edition”, Mr Obadimu said.
“I think the press and government need to support the business community, even beyond this trade that we are talking about, because the business environment right now is not at its best, given the current challenges that we face.
“Before now, it used to be power, road, and infrastructures and right now, we have this cash crunch situation, and it behooves on the governments: federal, state and local to create a business environment by supporting businesses. This is because they are the ones that employ and pay taxes, so, they should not be discouraged from doing business”, he explained.
NACCIMA DG, who further charged the government on the need to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and bringing about employment and pay taxes, added that the prevailing situation is preventing business development in the country.
“You should ease doing business and not discourage doing business. So, we will let the press raise the volume by appealing to the conscience of our political leaders”, he appealed.
“We are apolitical, and whoever that is there (in government) should support the business community. They are the ones that collect taxes and they are not employing, let people that are employing, employ more”, he said.
The President, Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry ((ICCI), Sir (Engr.) Olukayode Shoderu and Chairman, 2nd Ikorodu Division Trade Fair, Prince Seye Adedipe, at the briefing, also appealed to the media to assist in continuous spotlighting the deplorable state of the largest industrial estate in West Africa, Odogunyan Industrial Estate, until government intervenes.
This year’s IKODIV Trade Fair themed, “MSME – Key to an inclusive and Sustainable Recovery for Economic Development”, will be declared open by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo – Olu, on March 26.
