The National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has pledged support for State and City Chambers across the country to enable them to grow in the Chamber movement and be more relevant to their members.
The President of NACCIMA, Engr. Jali Ibrahim; made the pledge during a working visit to the secretariat of the Asaba Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ASACCIMA) in Asaba.
Engr. Ibrahim, a Member of the National Institute (mni), who was received by the ASACCIMA Chairman, Obi Chief Hon Chinwe Monu-Oduah and some members of the executive; expressed satisfaction with the progress the Chamber had made in such a short time, which he said was a model for other Chambers to adopt.
He said assisting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to access loans at single-digit interest rate remained NACCIMA’s main focus, assuring that ASACCIMA would be a major beneficiary of the programmes and activities of the National Chamber, including advocacy and creating the enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
Engr. Ibrahim further stated that there were over 40 Committees to which ASACCIMA could belong to share ideas and network for the benefits of members, adding that the Obi Nwanyi Monu-Oduah-led Chamber would be assisted with access to market and patronage of members’ products, in line with the current campaign for “Buy Made in Nigeria Goods”.
The NACCIMA President spoke on plans to link State and City Chambers to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, which he said had the necessary facilities and protocols for the branding and export of locally manufactured goods, and advised the Chambers, including ASACCIMA, to ensure that their members produced high quality consumables that would pass certification test.
He commended the ASACCIMA Chairman, who is also the Regional Vice President, Coalition of South South Chambers to Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (COSSCCIMA), for the enthusiasm and zeal which she brought to the table, and for the strong network she had built since assuming office, urging her to keep up the tempo.
Responding, Obi Chief Monu-Oduah thanked Engr. Jali for the visit, which she noted was inspiring, and urged the NACCIMA President to keep to his promises, especially that of assisting with connection to the Nigerian Export Promotion Council.
The ASACCIMA Chairman expressed worry about the difficulty of the MSMEs in accessing credit facilities from the Federal and State Governments, as well as the Niger Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Trade, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, to grow their businesses and solicited intervention.
She emphasised the importance of packaging to the growth of any business and urged the National Chamber to assist ASACCIMA members to attain the standards for Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and NAFDAC certification.
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