Chinedum Treasure
Importers Association of Nigeria, (IMAN), Anambra state chapter has pledged its preparedness to collaborate with state government through the office of the Commerce Ministry to ensure goods imported into the state were genuine.
The body warned that era of the state serving as dumping ground for all forms of adulterated products were over.
Speaking during a two-day statewide stakeholders’ sensitization seminar, themed, “Securing trade corridors and unlocking blue economy opportunities,” State Director General (DG) Obinna Moluokwu insisting there was no going back in its war against fake/substandard products in the state.
He said the seminar, organised in collaboration with the state government, Moluokwu was targeted at positioning the state for safe Commerce, African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), competitiveness and sustainable economic growth.
“We have come to fight fake/substandard products found everywhere within the state and we will not relent to assist the state government supervise the goods imported into Anambra in its effort to make the state the Dubai of Africa.
“When you see what our governor is doing, transforming Anambra to be Dubai of Africa, you will give him all the necessary support. This government is also making everybody to relax in terms of security as we now sleep with our two eyes closed.
“This seminar has provided an important platform for Anambra to engage with National institutions, organised private sectors and professional stakeholders on practical pathways for strenghtening its commercial, industrial, logistics and investment potentials,” he stated.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola described President Tinubu’s policy as one that recognizes local content for the global market.
The Minister, represented by an official in the Ministry, Kingsley Ibe said, “Federal Policies are being diffused from federal to the grassroots to better the lives of the ordinary people.
Earlier, National Patron, IMAN, Dr Augustine Ekweozor identified security, confidence, infrastructure, sound regulation and opportunity as critical to any flourishing commerce.
He said the entrepreneurial spirit, manufacturing capacity, commercial networks and strategic waterways of Anambra provide strong foundation for greater participation in the emerging blue economy and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
He commended the group’s decision to convene the dialogue in collaboration with state government, saying such engagement offered opportunity for critical actors to take decisions that determine safety, efficiency and competitiveness of Nigeria’s trading environment.
“The forum us not merely to identify challenges, but to develop practical partnership and solutions that could be sustained beyond this event,” he added.
Also speaking, State Coordinator, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Pharm. Louis Madubuattah emphasized the importance of securing trade corridors to curb infiltration of substandard products, stressing that “quality is business.”
Appreciating IMAN for the choice of Anambra for the engagement, which he said is expected to be center of excellence, especially in the area of pharmaceutical products distribution.
Lead paper presenter, Dr Obiorah Madu, the Director General of African Center for Supply Chain who spoke on the topic: ‘Building secure, smart and competitive supply chain: unlocking blue economy opportunities and trade competitiveness under AfCFTA,’ said Anambra has the capacity to be a leading economy in Nigeria, but lacks the smooth logistics that could facilitate it. Africans& Diaspora
National Secretary General, IMAN, Aliyu Ahmed Yar’adua, expressed appreciation to Soludo, government functionaries, regulators, security agencies traditional rulers, members of the academia, captains of industry, panelists, sponsors, partners and media for their support in the successful seminar.
“I particularly appreciate the distinguished resource persons and institutional representatives towards strenghtening Nigeria’s trading environment and unlocking the economic potential of Anambra state and the wider Southeast.
“As IMAN we remain committed to ensuring that the outcomes of this seminar transcend the event and contribute to sustain stakeholder collaboration, practical policy engagement and measurable economic development,” he stated.
President General, Anambra State Markets Amalgamated Traders’ Association, ASMATA, Humphrey Anuna thanked organizers of the seminar, saying it would go a long way in checkmating rate of importation of substandard products into the state.
President General, Ogidi Building Materials International market, Jude Nwankwo described the seminar as fantastic, calling for its repeat within Onitsha axis.
“Most of the people who attended the seminar here are not the main Importers, the main Importers are in Onitsha and they will not like to leave their business to be here, the people here are more from the academia.
Among the resource persons at the event included, the IMAN secretary General, Aliyu Ahmed Yar’adua, Ifeanyichukwu Jude Ngama, Prof Kate Omenugha – Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Lilian Njideka-Director Southeast/CEO Nigeria Shippers Council, Elisha from Standard Organization of Nigeria.
Others were Prof. CC Ibe – Federal University of Technology, Owerri, chairman of the occasion- Dera Nnadi, lead seminar lecturer/DG ACSC-Dr. Obiora Madu, moderator-Prof Samuel Babatunde, and Eugene Nweke-seminar organization consultant.
Highpoints on the occasion was presentation of awards to distinguished personalities and resource persons by IMAN in the state.
About Author
