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By Zika Bobby
The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industries Mine and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at the weekend held its 1st Quarter Executive and Council Meetings, with a call to the Federal Government and other stakeholders to find a definitive resolution to the lingering fuel queues and to ensure the full implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act(PIA) as passed recently. The meeting, hosted by the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and presided by the NACCIMA National President, Ide John Udeagbala, discussed the recent crisis occasioned by importation of off specs PMS, which led to petroleum queues across the country with serious implications on life and the economy.
The Council observed that the situation was a reflection of the fact that the oil and gas sector is still plagued by various problems coupled with the non-functionality of the PIA as envisioned to resolve the issue of the oil and gas sector. It urged the Federal Government to stop the importation of petroleum products and take immediate steps at ensuring that all refineries are working in full capacity for a definitive end to importation of petroleum products. On the state of the economy, the NACCIMA executives noted that the economy has continued to improve since its last meeting in Benin, Edo State.
“Specifically, Council noted at growth in national output had slowed down slightly from a 5.01 per cent growth in the second quarter of 2021 to a 4.03 per cent growth in the third quarter, indicating a continuous positive growth over the last four quarters since the recession witnessed in 2020.”
It further committed to accelerating activities in other to carry out the Association’s mandate of advocating and strengthening those sectors of the economy that are of keen interest.
The Council also noted the progress that had been made on the data collection drive on industries across the country through the NACCIMA Secretariat.
“ The data gathering exercise is to help drive private sector activities, in collaboration with member-chambers, for advocacy, business development, and trade promotion activities. The Secretariat was mandated to intensify these activities to focus on promoting market access opportunities, as well as, develop an empirical report on the state of insolvent industries and factories within each State of the federation.”
Recommendations were also adopted to strengthen and Support the activities of its women wing; the NACCIMA Women Business Group (NAWORG) and encourage the Youth to join NACCIMA Youth Entrepreneurs as part of strategy to encourage young people into the Chamber movement.
NACCIMA acknowledged the Development Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria under its Medium Term Plan (2021-2025) and expressed its commitment to ensure full private sector participation in its implementation.
