The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Ali Ahmad, has advocated for stronger ties between Kwara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) and the three tiers of government to “resuscitate moribund industries.
He said the collaboration will facilitate the needed capital through the Bank of Industry (BOI) for the organization to embark on the resuscitation of the industries that had been laying fallow.
Ahmad stated this at the investiture of Dr Ahmed Raji as the new president of KWACCIMA held at the banquet hall in the Government House, Ilorin.
At the ceremony, which also featured conferment of award on some personalities; Raji was officially installed as the new helmsman of KWACCIMA, thereby succeeding Hezekiah Adediji.
The Speaker, however, observed that the revival of the industries will lead to employment generation through Public Private Partnership (PPP), maintaining that the synergy was required to reconstruct what he called “battered economy”.
He expressed the readiness of the State Assembly to receive a bill sponsored by KWACCIMA with the intention of adding value to the economy of the state.
Ahmad, who chaired the occasion, applauded the state government for providing the organisation some plots of land for its proposed trade fair ground.
“It is essential that when your chamber forms a synergy with these three tiers of government, solutions will be found to resuscitate some of these moribund industries with guaranteeing of loans through the Bank of Industry.
‘There is no doubt that when these moribund industries are resuscitated, more employment will be provided under the Public, Private Partnership (PPP). I hope your organisation will take it as a point of duty to form the appropriate synergy with these three tiers of government, so as to foster unity and cooperation.
“For people to know what your chamber stands for, you need to sensitize them through workshops, seminar and advocacy on radio and television, to enable the populace know what activities you embark upon and what people should gain from your chamber at the long run.
“I am convinced that if you work assiduously with your agenda, KWACCIMA will go to places as it will change the face of the state economically.
I appeal to the state and local governments to stretch their hands of fellowship to KWACCIMA through donations, to build a befitting trade fair complex this year.
“Let me assure you that the House of Assembly remains a genuine partner in the drive to move Kwara state forward, especially in the promotion of economic development and in raising the standard of living across the spectra of our human capital assets.
“Consequently, the House, will be receptive to the contribution of the chamber through the sponsoring of a bill that will add value to the economic and social well-being of the people of Kwara state including the business community”, the Speaker said.
In his acceptance speech, the KWACCIMA president, Ahmed Raji, expressed gratitude to members, for their trust in him and pledged to act within his powers to revolutionise the state business environment.
He also promised to work with other executive members, to ensure that the organisation punches its weight on the national stage with the ability to shape its future, through facilitating local business environment that would encourage growth and enterprise.
