The Onitsha Chamber Of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture Calls For Poverty Alleviation Measures

June 30, 2017 – The Onitsha Chamber Of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture Calls For Poverty Alleviation Measures

Onitsha Chamber Of Commerce Holds 29th Annual General Meeting, Wants Government To Reduce High Incidence Of Poverty

By Ononye VC

The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce,Industry,Mines and Agriculture last Thursday held its Annual General Meeting ( AGM) with a call on the various arms of government to take proactive measures towards reducing the high incidence of poverty in the country.

In a welcome address presented by the President of the Chamber, Pharmacist Uchenna Apakama,the Chamber said the level of poverty has been aggravating with 67.1% of the population living below one U.S. Dollar per day.

The Chamber raised concerns over some biting issues impeding smooth running of business in Onitsha and the country in general.

They include the high rate of inflation and high exchange rate of the Naira to the Dollar which they said has remained elusive and unaffordable despite several interventions by the CBN.

The Chamber lamented the continued epileptic power supply with tariff soaring higher as the DISCOs across the country have refused consumers access to pre-paid meters.
The Chamber also raised concern about lack of adequate sanitation and portable water such that 130 million Nigerians lack adequate sanitation while 57 million Nigerians lack access to safe drinking water,leading to the death of over 45,000 children annually due to diarrhea.

The issue of kidnapping,armed robbery and other high level violent crimes in the country came out tops on the agenda of the Chamber wherein it beckoned on the federal and state government to intervene quickly.

Other issues raised at the AGM include late passage of the 2017 budget,the need to fight corruption from all fronts and unwarranted delay in making the 2nd Niger Bridge project a reality.

Other areas of concern the Chamber said include,the non rehabilitation of Onitsha-Enugu expressway and the need for the proposed Development Bank of Nigeria to take off in the country.

The Chamber commended the Anambra State Governor,Chief Willie Obiano for his wonderful job to make the an investment destination and export oriented economy.

Highlight on the occasion was election of new executive with Mr Donatus Ebubeogu as the newly elected President of the Chamber.

Some of the past officials of the Chamber were given several awards for their meritorious service to the Chamber. Some of them are, Chief Sir Evaristus Uba,Prof PJC Nwosu ,Chief SOP Okeke,Chief Nathan Okafor,Mr Okey Akaneme among Others.

Meanwhile,the chairman of the occasion,Sir Ikem Osanakpo has urged the incoming President of the Chamber,Mr Donatus Ebubeogu to consolidate on the achievement of his predecessor, Pharmacist Apakama. Osanakpo said the chamber can still do better if all the stakeholders cooperate and forge ahead. He commended the organizers of the AGM for doing a good job.

See photos from the annual general meeting.