Mr Simon Asite, President, Warri Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (WACCIMA) has called for the establishment of Marketing Boards to add value to the agricultural produce.
Asite made the call on Thursday during the 53rd Annual General Meeting/Luncheon of WACCIMA in Warri, Delta.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the event was: “New approach to industrial revolution in Warri and environs: A case study”.
The president said the marketing boards would help to create the needed demand and also enhance value chain for agricultural produce.
Asite, however, commended the Federal Government for divesting.
He said there was need for the establishment of agencies that would enable farmers and other small scale business operators to access fund at single digit interest rate.
Asite identified dearth of fund and power as major challenges in the growth of cottage businesses in the country.
“WACCIMA wants both the state and Federal Government to establish marketing boards that will create demands through agricultural value chain.
“The present Canadian experience in the use of marketing boards for the successful management of that country’s economy is a referral point,” he said.
The guest speaker at the occasion, Mr Leemon Ikpea, Chief Executive Officer, Lee Engineering & Construction Company Ltd, was represented by the company’s Managing Director, Mr Godwin Ebolemen.
Ikpea identified infrastructure decay, lack of fund and insecurity as some of the reasons industries were leaving Warri and its environs.
He urged community leaders to prevail on their youths not to indulge in activities that would hamper investment in Warri and its environs.
Ikpea also advised WACCIMA to prevail on the Delta Government to actualise the Warri Industrial Park, noting that it would help to engage the youth meaningfully.
“I have seen a lot of companies moving out of Warri, but Lee Engineering will not leave Warri; rather we will continue to help in our own ways to train and engage the youths.
“I appeal to captains of industries and government to synergise and create employment for the youths to check restiveness,” he said.
Highlights of the events were the presentation of awards to some distinguished persons and inauguration of new executive members for the association. (NAN)