Deputy Governor of Abia State.,Ikechukwu Emetu
2024 Aba International Trade Fair: We’ll ensure safety of participants – Deputy Gov
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State government has assured would-be participants at the forthcoming 2024 Aba International Trade Fair of adequate security during the 10-day event.
Deputy Governor and Chairman of the 2024 Aba International Trade Fair Planning Committee, His Excellency, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, gave the assurance during a Press Conference on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia.
Engr. Emetu said because of the importance government attached to the trade fair which would be jointly hosted by Aba Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ACCIMA) and the state government, beginning from November 28 through December 7, 2024 at the Aba Mega Mall located along the Aba-Port Harcourt Expressway, special security arrangement was being put in place to ensure a hitch-free event.
“We are anticipating the influx of visitors, business people and shoppers to Aba for the Trade Fair. We have therefore taken steps to guarantee effective security arrangements for everyone no matter what part of the town they are staying in.
“The security teams have been effectively mobilised and have since started work in pursuit of our objective for an incidence-free event in Aba this year. Our assurance to everyone who is planning to participate in the 2024 Aba International Trade Fair is that they are coming to one of the safest and most-secured business destinations in the entire country,” he said, because the Abia State Government “is intensely committed to the success of the 2024 Aba International Trade Fair and has expectedly thrown the full weight of the Administration to guarantee the smooth execution and delivery of the trade fair expected to “offer great experiences to every class of participant.”
Still emphasizing on security plans, the Deputy Governor added: “Abia, as you know, has emerged as one of the safest and most secured destinations in the region following the determination of the Dr Alex Otti administration to create a supportive environment for local businesses, visitors and others who interact with the social and economic environment of the state.
“The Government will go one step further for this Trade Fair by working effectively with all national and local security organisations to keep everyone who will be in Aba for the Trade Fair very safe.
“Security infrastructure and personnel shall be deployed at the venue of the Trade Fair for round-the-clock surveillance operations so as to guarantee the safety of the participants, their products and other critical infrastructure that will be set up at the venue.
“The Government has practically taken measures to ensure that there will be no security threats or gaps before, during and after the Trade Fair,” the Abia Number Two Citizen disclosed.
He further explained that the tight security measures being planned were informed by the expected influx of people.
According to him, over 10,000 participants from different parts of the country and beyond were being expected at the Fair to exhibit their products and innovations, shop for their business and household needs and make important business and social connections.
“Because we understand the importance of this Trade Fair to the Aba business community and our economy as a State, the Government has taken adequate steps to cut down the possibility of failures on any front,” the Deputy Governor declared.
Also for easy commute to and fro the venue of the Trade Fair over the 10-day period, he said that free shuttle buses would be stationed at particular times at strategic junctions every morning and evening to safely convey participants to the Trade Fair venue and bring them back to their hotels at the end of each day.
“This is one of the initiatives to make it easy for visitors to move about in safety and comfort in Aba. The Planning Committee shall also be supporting interested participants to secure decent hotel accommodations. Additionally, arrangements are being made to work with the hoteliers and others in the hospitality business to offer special rates to those who will be visiting for the Trade Fair,” he disclosed.
Engr. Emetu told newsmen that the Planning Committee has sent out invitations to all states in the country and the Federal Capital Territory; more than 50 embassies and High Commissions, different chambers of commerce across the federation, more than 300 businesses, including manufacturers and importers, service providers, oil companies and the body of industrialists in the State and across the country.
He further disclosed that the Committee would allocate booths (stands) to subscribers on “a first come, first served basis,” and called on local and international businesses hoping to take part in the 2024 Aba International Trade Fair “to quickly hurry and pay up as there are limited spaces available.”
To spice up the Aba 2024 International Trade Fair, arrangements were being made to organise “a rich symposium where we shall discuss the restoration of Aba as a historic land of opportunities” for all who dare to believe in the validity of their dreams.
“We are also looking forward to hearing the story of entrepreneurs who made their way to the top of the enterprise ladder in Aba. It promises to be a rich harvest of ideas and inspiration for beginners,” he said.
The Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, is expected to declare the symposium open on the 28th of November to herald the opening of the Trade Fair which would have in attendance, dignitaries from Nigeria and beyond.
He called on Abians, especially those who have connections to Aba, to see the upcoming trade Fair as their project, adding that “the State Government and ACCIMA is putting in place, strategic initiatives to make the Trade Fair the first of its kind in terms of participation, volume of transactions and interests from various business groups.”
The Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Kingsley Nwokocha, Special Adviser to the Governor on Trade and Investment, Chief Nwaka Inem, and the President of ACCIMA, Chief Geoffrey Uzoagbala, among other stakeholders, were present during the briefing.
