Comrade Chinedu Ukatu, president of the NPMA in the middle at the roundtable with other members.
Story by Dili Utomi.
In consideration of the economic realities and the quality of leadership needed to pull the country out of the present economic woods, the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), on Tuesday had a roundtable discussion to interrogate the various economic dynamics in the maritime sector that should shape the political realm.
The President of the Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria (MAJAN), Jeremiah Aguigbo while opening the roundtable spoke about the necessity of ‘working relationships’, advocating for a continuous relationship with Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association (NPMA) and MAJAN as a way of engendering a good relationship with major stakeholders groups in the Maritime sector. The event happened at the NPMA secretariat in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
The President of the NPMA, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu also spoke in the same vein as he revealed the vital nature of the job of journalists, especially Maritime Journalists who he said have continued to educate the public in bringing out those integral parts of the sector that need spotlight. He continues to seek a symbiotic relationship between journalists and traders especially members of the NPMA.
The event of the day centred on the 2027 general elections especially as it concerns traders. The President of the NPMA said that the major concern of traders is the growth of the economy as it is very difficult now to do business in Nigeria, the cost of doing being very high.
The NPMA, he said “would want to know if the politicians have businesses in mind- improvement of the business environment, increase in purchasing power, reduction of inflation, reduction of costs and again can they set a proper direction for Nigerians? In short, we want to know what they have for the trading public”.
“We want to know if the politicians have ideas on how to really navigate the economy away from the present situation of hyperinflation. Nigeria is an import dependent nation and we as importers and exporters are eager to know what our fate would be. We want to interrogate the policies and programmes of the political actors and have more information as to their mindset on how to lead us out of these quagmires”.
The NPMA president says that what Nigeria has is nothing but leadership problems and that if we get that right, every other thing will fall in place.
On the questions of what prompted this press conference knowing that most importers are from a particular ethnic stock, the president says that prices are not determined by ethnic consideration even though the average person from the referred ethnic stock has business and adventure right in his or her Dino Ribonucleic Acid (DNA). He asked that honour should be given to whom it is due.
The issues of policies and waivers came up and especially with the fact that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contribute mostly to the development of any economy, the president spoke about the discouraging lending rates which do not help SMEs and the lack of training, sensitisation programmes and general lack of infrastructure. These he notes militate against the development of SMEs.
Comrade Chinedu Ukatu also flayed the prevalence of non state actors around the various markets inspite of all the input from traders and lack of government support. He spoke with a tone of finality as said that the SMEs will never grow under these very harsh conditions. “The government should set up a trader’s bank which should be interest free for SMEs, this will help businesses to grow”.
“A couple of months ago, we met with the Director-General of NAFDAC and asked about the modalities to start production of some of the imported products and told NAFDAC that the government should concentrate on one area to tackle in order to help production. Electricity was mentioned as one vital area to improve before local production can really take place”.
On the specific commitment by various political aspirants to make for traders and business community, the president of NPMA says that the constitution assigns roles to every position and so, the various persons who occupy those positions should do their jobs as specified by the constitution. “A hands-on president, governor or chairman of a any local government should find time to even visit the markets and that is what we want”.
The MAJAN president, Jerry Aguigbo in a group photograph and in white attires, flanked to his left by the NPMA president, Comrade Chinedu Ukatu and others after the roundtable.
Question was asked about what the association has asked members to do with regards to the threats to Igbos in times of election, the president says that it is the job of the press to educate people on the rights of individuals and the fact that we all buy from the same market. He noted that everyone has the right to carry out his/her civic responsibility without fear and should be allowed to exercise it.
“We would want people to respect our right to exist and contribute to the development of where we do our business and also help to engender good neighbourliness. If I am scared that you will destroy my property because I am from a different ethnic stock, I will think twice before investing more, so we should think twice about our actions before we commit”.
“Going forward we would want to go to the national assembly by next year and push for a trader’s day where all traders will come together and celebrate their efforts and continue to rob minds”. The president said.
Comrade Ukatu opined that as a continuation of this forum, they should have a platform where they will bring all the presidential candidates together on a debate to interrogate their plans and programmes especially as it concerns traders.
He concluded that the vital role of the press in helping to highlight the areas that need attention cannot be overemphasised and that a continuous spotlight on these issues by the media is of great necessity.
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