The Nation Newspaper

Tag: regional

  • Regional integration

    •“Yorubaland beyond 2019:  Let’s set forth at DAWN”, the theme of an Ibadan conference, put South West integration back on the front-burner

    The Development Agenda of Western Nigeria (DAWN), on March 19, held a stakeholders talk, on the future of the South West political bloc, with regional integration as a central plank.  At that forum, Seye Oyeleye, DAWN director-general, tasked the three newly elected governors in the region (Lagos, Ogun and Oyo) to make regional their policy hub, so that the Yoruba region of Nigeria could maximally benefit from a synergy of developmental policies.

    Though the pitch was basically to the newly elected governors, it is trite to state that it applies no less to the other three (Ondo, Ekiti and Osun), whose governors are not due for re-election till, at the earliest, 2021.  It is assumed – and strongly so – that these incumbents would continue to be receptive to the idea.

    “Some benefits of such integration include collective opportunities as a bloc, attaining self-sustenance and enhancing internally generated revenue,” Mr. Oyeleye said, “through the harmonization of taxes and levies within the region.”  Challenging the governors, he called on them all to key their respective policies towards these benefits.  Sound counsel!

    This DAWN reminder is timely and should be lauded by all.  The idea of South West integration is not new.  Indeed, DAWN, since its inception, has chalked up credit for initiating policies, programmes and protocols to make South West integration a reality.  That dream inspired DAWN’s formation.  It is heart-warming, therefore, that DAWN is delivering on the mandate for which it was set up.

    Yet, there are still many mountains to climb.  Aside from DAWN mastering the policy lane, The Nation as a newspaper, has also done some work in advocacy and active mobilization, organizing a chain of South West integration summits, hosted by Oyo, Osun and Ekiti states, in that order, since the first of such summits in Ibadan, in 2012.  For these successful summits, special kudos to host governors, Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo, 2012), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun, 2013) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti, 2014).

    Since then, however, the political landscape has changed – and still changing.  Governor Ajimobi is bowing out after two terms.  Governor Aregbesola left office in 2018 (also after two terms), while Governor Fayemi is back in office, after losing power in 2014, after only one term.  But even during this 2012-2014 period, zest for the project varied among the six governors, from the zestful to the tepid.  Yet, the regional integration is one project every governor and every state government must take very, very seriously.

    That is what makes this DAWN reminder all the more appropriate.  Even with the change of guards in South West state houses, there should not be any changes in core developmental interests.  There is more to gain from that common purpose.  On this score, the incumbent governors in Ondo, Ekiti and Osun should go the extra mile to draw the in-coming governors into the DAWN path.  Governor Fayemi has a special role to play, in showing leadership on this score.  He is the only survivor, aside from exiting Ajimobi, among the original set of governors that started implementing the DAWN protocol.

    No less crucial to this plan is in-coming Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.  That he belongs to another party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not make any difference.  DAWN and integration are about the core interest of Western Nigeria, which trumps whatever partisan colours that domicile in the different State Houses.  But Makinde’s fellow governors should make it easy for him.  DAWN itself must not rest in its advocacy, policy-brewing and implementation role.

    Regional integration is key to every of Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.  In the absence of a consensus over formal restructuring, regional integration offers a vibrant and health way in socio-economic self-help.  It could well be the prompter for a future re-federalized polity; after the component parts of Nigeria themselves had tasted of its good.

  • AfDB strengthens regional collaboration on research

    AfDB strengthens regional collaboration on research

    Strengthening regional collaboration on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) education and research networks was the subject of a panel discussion held at the Third Africa STI forum held in Cairo, the African Development Bank has said.

    Scientific Research and Technology are expected to play a huge role in development and industrialization in the coming years, the bank said. They are strategic to Africa’s industrialization and can enable the continent to leapfrog to the fourth industrial revolution.

    Africa has several distinguished research centers and regional specialized facilities funded by a number of countries. These are centers of excellence designed to provide scientific and innovative solutions to development challenges in Africa.

    However, scientific research requires adequate financial resources and infrastructure to ensure effective results. Head of New Technologies and Innovation at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Kasirim Nwuke, believes that in order for countries to achieve integration, they need to start by assessing the competitiveness condition in member states and address policy issues.

    Director General, West and Central Africa Research and Education Network, Boubakar Barry,  says that it fundamental for research centers in the continent to stay connected among themselves and continue to have access to research results achieved in different regions. In modern times, ICT facilitates the achievement of this goal.

    Executive Director, African Academy for Science, Nelson Torto said that the Academy plays an advocacy role in the continent, in addition to honoring scientific achievement. It was founded by a group of the highly distinguished scientists in Africa and funded by a number of countries as well as grants from different global bodies. The Academy has 400 Fellows, one- third of them females.

    The World Bank is supporting these efforts through a center of excellence established within the frame of a regional initiative. “The center aims at meeting labor market demands, and providing scientific solutions for development challenges” says Javier Botero Alvarez, Lead Education Specialist, Education Global Practice, World Bank.

    This goal will be achieved through strengthening the capacity of universities in a number of countries competitively selected. The center is covering ten priority sectors and includes sixteen countries. The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on industry, improve the skills STEM asset and strengthen national TVET system.

  • NACCIMA targets improved regional ties

    NACCIMA targets improved regional ties

    The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has unveiled an agenda to leverage its trade mission to support the Federal Government’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) drive and improve operators’capacity in the agricultural value chain.

    Its National President, Mrs. Iyalode Alaba Lawson, said the Chamber, under her leadership, would explore efforts to enhance regional trade relationships by repackaging its trade mission towards FDI.

    This, she said, would be in  partnership with members and the government in establishing companies and creating demand supply platforms for agricultural products and other mineral resources.

    Speaking at her investiture as the Chamber’s national leader, Lawson emphasised the need to increase the Chamber’s advocacy agenda, especially now that the real sector required good policies to operate efficiently.

    “While we recognise the administration’s efforts in developing the Medium, Small and Micro Enterprise (MSME) sector in Nigeria, I will like to state that our association also recognises that women and youths take the larger percentage of MSME operators, who find it difficult to access different opportunities and privileges that are available in the country,” she said.

    Lawson, however, said  NACCIMA would work with the Federal Government and development agencies to create a platform that can enhance the capacity of women and youths, while also establishing job centres through collaborations with agencies and organisations.

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun praised Lawson’s contributions to the socio-economic development of the nation, adding that her emergence as the first National President of NACCIMA was not a surprise.

    “As I congratulate our own Iyalode on this investiture, let me enjoin you and all other members of the Executive Committee to work assiduously to bring out your best and contribute your own quota to the development of our country,” he added.

    Abeokuta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ABEOCCIMA) President, Mr. Wasiu Olaleye, praised NACCIMA’s leadership for sustaining the Chamber’s ideals in the country.

    According to him, there was the need to remind the government of its responsibilities in making the business environment conducive for operators.

    “It is, however, worthy of commendation that the Federal Government has recognised that one of the major critical factors that would bail the nation out of the present economic misfortunes is to create conducive environment for businesses to thrive in Nigeria.

    “Doing business in Nigeria requires a lot of determination and resilience. The change in the business climate is always unpredictable.

    “To succeed as a business owner, you have to brace for the agonising bottlenecks and unwholesome practices when interfacing with public officials. Besides, the situation is worsened by the intractable regime of multiple taxation,” he added.

  • ECA insists on regional autonomy

    The Eastern Consultative Assembly (ECA) rose yesterday from a crucial meeting in Enugu over the quit notice served on the Igbo living in the North,  calling for restructuring and regional autonomy.

    The meeting was attended by affiliate groups of the ECA coalition, youth groups, students associations, traditional rulers, traders organisations, women groups, town unions, NGOs and professional bodies.

    A communique signed by its deputy leader, Mrs. Maria Okwor, and the publicity secretary, Rev. Fr. John Odey, said: “The quite expected difficulty by certain sections of the country to recover from the shock of the successful May 30th sit-at-home ordered by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the paranoia exhibited by these oppressors and their agents, through a thoughtless quit order on Ndigbo in the North and pressure mounted by the national security community on our neighbours to issue press releases (usually for a fee) distancing themselves from our people, in a failed attempt to isolate us, is not lost on anybody.

    “These childish actions are confirmation that the total compliance of our people during the May 30th sit-at-home has sent jitters down the spine of the oppressors, who have just learnt that Nigeria’s artificial, unjust, unworkable and lopsided unitary structure, created solely by unelected soldiers of fortune, cannot survive much longer.

    “A new constitution anchored on regional autonomy is the only route open to save Nigeria. It does not matter that the oppressors, who have consistently shown the world, that, they are only good at mishandling self-determination agitations by always applying the wrong strategy, is at their usual folly again. What truly matters, is that the oppressed have resolved to get justice and nothing else. Forty-seven years of servitude, for losing a war, is enough punishment; nothing will make this generation accept second class citizenship anymore. The oppressor can continue to beat around the bush, for as much as they like. ‘They must come back to the truth: Nigeria must restructure….’

    “The ECA commends the Southeast governors, Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership, our friends and lovers of truth from the Middle Belt, the Southwest, the Niger Delta and beyond, for standing by our people as we are asked to quit the North.

    “The ECA assures the northern leaders who reprimanded and disowned the ‘quit notice givers’, that everybody knows, that the emotions that inspired the quit order is so deep seated, and stagnation as a result of the faulty, unitary structure, are so fundamental, that the platitude from right thinking Northern folks, who called for peace and calm without addressing the real truth, cannot and will not solve the problem.

    “The 47-year-old humiliating experience in Nigeria is unacceptable, we cannot take it anymore. Death, in the process of fighting for our honour and dignity is better than eternal slavery. We are tired of Nigeria as presently constituted.

    “We simply do not wish to transfer our second class status to our progeny. Period.”

  • Sahara Group advocates regional collaboration on power

    Africa should explore  policies and investment opportunities in the power sector to boost sustainable supply, affordability and off-grid rural power solutions, the Executive Director of Sahara Group, Tonye Cole, has said.

    He spoke at the World Economic Forum on Africa in Durban, South Africa. He said the involvement of the private sector in the continent’s power space had laid the foundation for significant improvement, which must now be enhanced by collaboration and support from governments.

    “We still have a lot of work to do in terms of harmonising regulations across borders, so that the regulations we have in Nigeria for example must be the same or close to that which will be in Benin, Togo and Ghana so that the West African Power Pool, for example, can work. When you add this to a regulatory approach where the government actually provides support for investors and operators through market reflective policies, we will be looking at fast paced growth in the power sector,” he said.

    Cole noted that effective collaboration would unite regulators and operators in the generation, transmission and distribution value chains of the sector to harmonise issues around Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), securitisations and tariff.

    “We must work towards creating a power sector that encourages cross-border collaboration to boost offshore investments, efficient pricing and policy reviews that will diversify prospects for off-grid power projects and rural electrification,” he added.

    He urged governments on the continent to provide incentives in for investors in the rural areas to accelerate inclusive growth and economic prosperity across Africa.

    “Power is critical to the ongoing economic development in Africa and for us at Sahara Group, we are continually reaching out to other stakeholders to ensure the quest of bringing energy to homes and businesses in Africa is sustained and ultimately, achieved.”

  • Institute inaugurates regional coordinators

    The Institute of Agricultural  Research and Training, Moor Plantation,  Ibadan, has inaugurated regional co-ordinators for soil development to foster food sufficiency in the country.

    Inaugurating the committee, the institute’s Executive Director, Prof. James Adediran, said members comprised professors and specialists on soil.

    According to him, the committee is expected to raise a team of soil scientists that cut across all disciplines in soil sciences in their respective regions.

    He noted that the committee would also co-ordinate research activities for agricultural transformation in the country.

    Adediran said: “Based on our national mandate, we are well positioned to do this through the cooperation from each region. We are to raise a team of soil scientists in the region that cuts across all disciplines in Soil Science and to also collaborate with other regions in planning and executing soil research programmes in Nigeria.

    “We are also saddled with the responsibility of identifying challenges and environmental impacts on soils with the aim of providing sustainable methods of land use in all the regions.”

    Speaking on the need for such development, Adediran said the mandate for national soil research was given to the institute by the Federal Government in 1978 when the Ministry of Agriculture was recognised to conduct and co-ordinate research for the development of soil management technology in all agro-ecologies.

  • Push to make Southwest regional food powerhouse

    Push to make Southwest regional food powerhouse

    Regional economic growth is needed to reduce poverty and improve food security in the Southwest, some experts have said.

    They spoke at the Southwest Agriculture Summit (SWAS) held at the Civic Centre in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    Its aim was to bring together states in the region to consolidate growth in the sector.

    The theme was Achieving an agro-powered regional economy.

    Stakeholders said harnessing regional strength in farming and food production would enhance sufficiency in the region.

    The event was co-hosted by governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun); Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos); Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo);  Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).

    Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission Director-General Dipo Famakinwa stressed the need for stakeholders to approach the agriculture revitalisation effort from a prism of ‘One Bloc” as advocated by the commission.

    According to him, it is only by working together that the states could maximally deploy and benefit from their vast agricultural potential.

    He noted that the political leadership of the region was developing a strategy to deliver sustainable agri-food resilience, encompassing the whole farming spectrum from arable, horticulture, livestock, value from waste and innovative end-user training.

    Declaring the event open,  Ajimobi stated it was essential for stakeholders to discuss the survival strategy for the region.  “Now is the time to go back and reconnect with our glorious heritage. Now is the time to let go of our terrible dependence on the unsustainable oil and gas resources – two commodities with expiry date”, he said.

    Aregbesola said the forum would allow for knowledge sharing on regional policies that could be adopted to foster synergy and further improve the agricultural value chain. “As a matter of fact, what is happening here today is that the states and other practitioners and stakeholders have opted to share lessons on what has worked and what has not with a view to seeing how some of these success stories can lend themselves to a region-wide adoption,” Aregbesola said.

    In his keynote address, Senior Lecturer, Lagos Business School, Dr Doyin Salami, gave an overview of the state of agriculture in Nigeria with emphasis on the Southwest.

    He noted that oil had failed the nation and it was high time the country developed agriculture to ensure economic diversification.

    He said Nigeria scored  39 per cent  in food security matters in the Global Food Security Index, while Mexico and Brazil scored 65 per cent  and 69 per cent.

    In the past, he said, 70 per cent  of Nigerians were involved in agriculture. But today, 97 per cent of foreign earnings are from oil.

    In 2013, he said Nigeria earned over $80 billion from oil. However, this year, the estimated income would not exceed $30 billion. Nevertheless, there’s hope in agriculture as one of the five sectors that will continue to grow despite the recession. He also stated that there were three requirements to ensure that the system was revitalised. These include: human capital, availability of technology and resources.

    He praised AgroNigeria and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission for the epoch-making event.

    Senior Technical Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Ms Cynthia Mosunmola Umoru noted that oil, which had beclouded Nigeria’s planning process, would soon dry up. She lamented that Nigeria as a country has forgotten her heritage. ‘’When that oil which is taking our attention dries up, then we will think and concentrate on the most important alternative,” said Umoru, who is also a farmer.

    The Chief Executive, AgroNigeria, Mr Richard-Mark Mbaram, expressed that it became necessary to hold such a summit in the spirit of agricultural renaissance in the country. ‘’We have gathered experts and stakeholders in agribusiness to brainstorm and discuss agriculture. The ultimate objective is to trigger a new development paradigm that will really have the sub-national governments and institutions have a major contribution in the con-ceptualisation, formation and implementation process of our country’s agricultural policies”.

    The AgroNigeria boss pointed out that the private sector is also being galvanised to “play a more involved role in auditing policy implementation in agriculture by identifying the stress areas and proffering realistic and practical solution to same”.

    Facilitator, Agric and Food Security Policy Commission of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Alhaji Fatai Afolabi, explained the different partnership models within which agribusiness can thrive.

    He noted that privatisation if properly done,  holds the key to turning erstwhile moribund agri-businesses in the southwest into viable entities – citing Okomu Oil Palm Company and the Okitipupa Oil Palm Companies as instances

  • They call it regional integration

    A few days before he was killed, the then Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, (1909-1966), Sardauna of Sokoto incorporated a company called the New Nigeria Development Company. The company, formed in 1946, was designed to be a conglomerate with spanning interests in agriculture, mining, capital market, telecommunications and education. The last we heard about the company was on August 26, 2013 when the chairman of the Northern Governors Forum at that time, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, of Niger state advised the company to sell 49% of its equity to members of the public.

    Dr. Aliyu explained that the poor performance of the company has necessitated the need for some of its investment such as the Arewa Hotels to be sold to the public. In his words” we should be concerned that after 56 years of operations the NNDC is performing epileptically”.

    It is sad that those who have managed the NNDC have not been fair to the legacy of Sir Ahmadu Bello.

    On May 27 1967,by virtue of states creation and transitional  provision decree 14 of 1967, General Yakubu Dan Yumma Gowon(81) created 12 states in the country—six from the old Northern region, three from the old Eastern region and three from the old Western region. By decree 39 of June 24 1967, he created the Interim Common Services Agency to take over the assets of the old Northern region and the Eastern States Interim Assets and Liabilities Agencies (ESIALA) to take over the assets of the three states of Rivers, East Central State and South Eastern state.

    On assuming power in July 1975, General Murtala Muhammed (1938-1976) disbanded the two agencies.

    What of the assets of the two agencies especially that of ESIALA with financially endowed institutions like the Eastern Region Marketing Board once headed by Sir LoiusOdumegwuOjukwu(1909-1966),Eastern Nigeria Finance Corporation, Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation, African Continental Bank,etc.

    Even till today questions are being asked to what happened to the abandoned properties implementation committee headed by Major David Alachenu Bonaventure Mark(68) set up by decree No 90 of 1978 following the abrogation of several edicts including that of South Eastern state edict No 10 of May 1970.

    There is another story elsewhere.

    On Tuesday January19 this year at Cocoa house, Ibadan, the governors of the owner states of Odua Investment Company met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The current chairman of the Odua Investment Company, Dr. Olusegun Rahman Mimiko (61), of Ondo State announced that the Odua Investment Company has invited Lagos State to join the company as the sixth shareholder of the conglomerate. At present the company is owned by the governments of Oyo,Osun, Ogun,Ekiti and Ondo states. Twenty four hours after the announcement, the governor of Lagos State, AkinwunmiAmbode (53) accepted the invitation and declared his support for the growth of the company.

    The company recorded a revenue growth of N4.2 billion last year as against N4.5 billion in 2013. The spokesman for Dr. Mimiko, KayodeAkinmade disclosed that the company targets N20billion asset base by 2019. He disclosed further that the proposed payment of gross dividend of N167million at its annual general meeting was approved and paid to all the owner states.

    Odua Investment Company was incorporated in 1976 to take over the business interests of the former Western State following the creation of Oyo,Ogun and Ondo states out of the old Western State by General Murtala Ramat Muhammed (1938-1976) on February 3, 1976, who was assassinated 10 days after. The company held its first meeting on March 3, 1976 with Chief Christopher Sunday OlutundeAkande(1924-2005) as pioneer managing director.

    No doubt Odua Investment Company has been a huge success and kudos must be given for those who have kept the flag flying for that company from 1976 till date, including premiers, sole administrators, governors both civilian and military, in spite of their ideological and political differences. It has not been too rosy for the company though, for most of its subsidiaries are no more. A case in point is the National Bank which was acquired by the Western Region on April 1, 1961 and liquidated in 1992 due to mismanagement and corruption. A long time ago, National Bank was the envy of all banks in Nigeria with assets in London and in most parts of Nigeria. Acclaim must be given also to the man who established most of the companies and subsidiaries that are now grouped together as Odua Investment Company including free education, free health services, farm settlements, etc. I am referring to Chief Jeremiah Oyeniyi Obafemi Awolowo (1909-1987) who ruled the Western Region as Premier from October 1, 1954 to December 15 1959.

    Sadly, unlike the era of Chief Awolowo, state governments of the old western region cannot pay salaries of workers now not to talk of establishing industries and factories—a bad legacy of the present generation.

    The invitation to Lagos to join Odua Investment Company is well understood, for Lagos has been part of Western Region until October 1, 1954 when the adoption of the Oliver Lyttelton Constitution detached it from region making it a federal territory. It was the same constitution that detached Southern Cameroons from Eastern Region. Lagos has always been the centre of commerce from the days of T.F. Barker who first administered the city between 1956-1957 to Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, (1910-1965) who became Minister for Lagos affairs between 1957-1960 followed by the MutawallinKatsina, Alhaji Musa Yar’Adua who also served as Minister of Lagos between 1960-1966.

    Lagos State now generates N24.5billion monthly as internal revenue although some of us who live in Lagos are over taxed with businesses dying on daily basis and nothing much to show for the over taxation. Lagos State government is getting richer per day through over taxation while the people of the state are getting poorer, an urgent issuewhich must be addressed.  Ogun State is not doing badly too with N6billion every month. On May 25, the Lagos state government signed a memorandum of understanding to start the construction of the 38-kilometre Fourth Mainland Bridge. The bridge, which is expected to cost N844billion will be constructed under the Build, Own and Transfer concession of 40 years under the Public-Private-Partnership initiative of the Lagos State government. At present, Lagos is the sixth largest city in the world and has the smallest land mass in Africa. It is projected to be the third biggest conurbation in the world next year. At present, Lagos is West Africa’s most resourceful single trading market with a population of about 22million vibrant people. What the Odua governors are presently doing is in the words of Governor Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola (59) of Osun State, is, “inter-cooperation, friendship and interdependence”. Regional integration does not offend the spirit of the constitution and the spirit of federalism. If each of the regions should be allowed to develop on its own it will enhance unity, stability and better understanding.

    Regional integration enhances unity even as diverse as we are. And I don’t think it negates the demand for restructuring which has become inevitable. It should be encouraged.

     

    • Teniola, a former director at the Presidency, lives in Lagos.

  • Labour seeks regional integration to improve workers’ welfare

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for regional cooperation among African countries to improve workers’ welfare.

    Its President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba made the call at the opening of the Organisation of Trade Unions of West Africa (OTUWA) special delegates’ conference in Abuja.

    He noted that past efforts at regional integration had always focused on removing barriers to free trade, increasing free movement of people, labour, goods, and capital across borders, reducing the possibility of regional armed conflict and adopting a cohesive regional stance on policy issues in the sub-region

    He emphasised the importance of OTUWA for regional unity and cooperation of workers in meeting the challenges of globalisation and the increasingly competitive markets.

    He said: “It is our belief that trade unions’ regional solidarity is a possible solution to the continent’s deep and prolonged labour, economic and social crisis, at a time when the working people are experiencing the ‘race to the bottom’, prevalent neo-liberal policies of deregulation and privatization of national economies, while the continuing decline of state-imposed barriers to inter-country flows is paving the way for increased regional trade.”

    Wabba assured that the NLC would continue to play a vital role in the sustenance of  OTUWA and other African regional trade union organisations for the benefits of the workers in the sub-region and Africa as a whole.

    ”We must reflect on the fact that West African countries today are weakly integrated nationally, regionally, and internationally. Ethnic and socio-political divisions are particularly dominant in the region. Our trade unions are small and labour centres significantly fragmented in many of our countries, and these are impediments to regional integration.”

    He said regionally, West African countries are divided by a wide range of institutional, legal, socio-economic and cultural barriers. At the international trade union level, for instance, he said West Africa is increasingly being marginalised.

  • ECOWAS laments 12 per cent drop in regional trade

    The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has lamented the low level of intra-regional trade within the sub-region, noting that several years after regionalism; intra-regional trade in ECOWAS is still consistently low at about 12 per cent.

    The Commissioner, Industry and Private Sector Promotion, ECOWAS and Kalilou Traore, explained that the regional body adopted the protocol of free movement of people and goods since 2000, but stressed that the level of regional trade still remains low at 12 per cent of total trade.

    Traore, who spoke during a technical meeting convened in Lagos by the ECOWAS Private Sector Directorate, explained that there was need to take more action to strengthen regional trade. He stressed that the only way to achieve this feat is the establishment of trade support bodies.

    At the technical meeting convened to consider the draft on the ECOWAS Business House (EBH), Traore said, “We need to take more action to strengthen this regional trade and one way to do that is through trade support bodies. We are here to develop the concept of an ECOWAS Business House (EBH) that will be a business oriented organisation at the regional level to facilitate trade among member countries.”

    He said the overall goal of EBH system is to foster intra-regional trade, promote ECOWAS exports and deepen market penetration for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)  in the region.

    He noted that it would also facilitate bulk creation, high quality regime and standardisation in the region, reduce cost of business for SMEs and promote the establishment of relevant trade infrastructure including quality infrastructure in the region.

    “Our expectation is that within the first five years of establishment of the regional EBH, apart from boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the regional economies, made in ECOWAS States’ products will be viable and visibly present for business in the regional market and companies to reap the gains from international trade.

    Traore said although there are still lots to be done in the area of feasibility study so that the directorate can have all the details of the project in order to involve all the stakeholders at the financial and member state level so that businesses can be created.

    He emphasised the importance of MSMEs development and the status of the implementation of some regional programmes including the ECOWAS quality programmes, regional payments system, private sector and MSME development strategies and efforts at establishing the common market for free movement of persons and goods.

    The Deputy Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NAC-CIMA), Dr. Sani Yandaki, allayed fears of Nigeria and other countries in ECOWAS that they may become dumping grounds, saying that the project will open markets for products made in the sub-region.

    “The essence of the whole initiative is to build capacities of micro businesses in the region by providing access to markets for the products and services. We want to connect these products to people who actually need them in other parts of the sub-region. The EBH will act as a third party between the producers and the consumers,” he said.

    He further explained that the initiative would facilitate trade that will bring about economic growth, job opportunities and increase the GDP of the sub-region. According to him, all the goods that are going to be displayed at the business houses are going to be goods produced locally with locally sourced raw materials.

    Dr. Yandaki urged ECOWAS member states to harness their potentials and stop depending on foreign donors and overseas investments, insisting that no foreigner can develop their economies for them.

    Yandaki queried the rationale behind the investigations and studies carried out by Chatam House, United Kingdom on the formal and informal trade trend in the region, stressing that it may not be in the best interest of the regional body. He therefore, encouraged ECOWAS member states to close ranks to develop their potentials and stimulate growth.

    Head Business and Enterprise Promotion, ECOWAS, Dr. Enobong Umoessien, stressed that the region has enjoyed a lot of support from countries, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and groups, but called on the region to look inward by establishing a platform to drive the region’s project and harness the resources available in the region to drive development.

    “We have to start looking at ways to leverage our capacities and resources to do the things we need to do.  The project targets many of the industries and business communities in the region. As you know about 90 per cent of our businesses are SMEs and these businesses want to export, distribute and connect with the international market. But the key challenges facing them is that their products are small, so it is a challenge for them to move from one country to another in an efficient manner,” he said.

    Head,  Export Group, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria  (MAN), Tunde Olaoye lamented that over 360 million people in the region are daily impoverished by unbridled importation and dumping of goods from the developed economies. “We are not actually tapping on our potentials because we allow unbridled access to our economies by foreign trade.

    “We have good products but small companies that cannot take advantage of the so-called international trade. What we therefore, need is regional integration that will boost our products and by extension our economies as against allowing our economies to be dependent on importation when we have better alternatives,” he pointed out.