President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Barr. Jasper Nduagwuike
Enugu Chamber of Commerce laments impact of insecurity on South East’s economy
[From CHINEDU NWAFOR, Abakaliki]
President of Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Barr. Jasper Nduagwuike has lamented the negative impact of insecurity challenge to the South East economy.
Nduagwuike who spoke to Journalists in Enugu shortly after his investiture as the 16th President of ECCIMA, Nduagwuike, weekend, said businesses were gradually moving out of the South East zone.
He said, “imagine an economy that does not work on Mondays, what kind of economy is that? An economy that does not work 4 days in a week, what kind of economy is that? what can of economy are we building?
“Unfortunately business is moving out of South East slowly. We had similar incident in Nnewi and before they knew what was happening, spare parts marketers had moved to Ladipo market in Lagos. Ladipo market was not there before, it was the movement from Nnewi that created Ladipo market and nobody came back because once you leave, you have left .
“And again business is moving to Asaba, Uyo, Portharcourt, business is moving to states around South East, and South East is left barren due to insecurity.
“Before this problem started, Igbos have started coming back to establish in their states but with this situation, nobody want to come around again, if you asked them to bring their investment home, they will tell you that their investment is safe where they are due to insecurity challenges in South East.
“They don’t want to come home and invest anymore, so something must be done about the security situation in the south east so that we can have a situation where the South East will thrive economically, politically and be stable again.”
On the forthcoming trade fair in the state, Nduagwuike assured that the trade fair will hold in Enugu this year despite the insecurity challenges.
He disclosed that four countries had shown interest in participating in the trade fair, assuring that it would be a wonderful outing.
