By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki
In order to build a robust and sustainable business environment in Ebonyi State that will enhance commerce and industrialization, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr.Stephen Odoh has pledged to ensure that every reasonable business outfit across the state gets fund to support and improve businesses from Bank of Industry (BoI) for economic growth of the state.
Dr. Odoh disclosed this to newsmen in Abakaliki while addressing executive members of Abakaliki Rice Mill recently.
He said that he will do everything possible to bring the officials of Bank of Industry to interact with the millers and other traders in the state, in order to access fund and promote their businesses.
“I have made this promise and I want to emphasize it, the first assignment I will do with the rice mill is to bring the Bank of Industry to interact with every member of the mill and I will do that if I have the support of the executives, in the next one week, the Rice Mill Association will be meeting with the officials of Bank of Industry to process those that actually need financial support to promote their business because that should be the leadership.
He further noted that there is need to build business environment that will stabilize their businesses first, even though they are facing financial challenges, saying that Ebonyi State Government is ready and eager to facilitate it to ensure that every reasonable business enterprise gets financial support.
“We need to develop the business environment. We know that some of you are facing financial challenges and lack of funds.
“I on behalf of the state government, will be facilitating this to ensure that every business outfit gets a reasonable support and funds from bank of industry. This is the only way it can grow and create jobs. We will be committed to ensuring that it is actualized.
Also speaking, the Administrative Secretary of the mill, Mr. Nwede Rechard applauded the efforts of Ebonyi State Government in repositioning the rice mill, adding that Ebonyi rice is one of the best in Nigeria and they are ready to cooperate with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to increase their productivity.
He also charged the new executives of rice mill to work hard to deliver on their mandate for the welfare of traders in the company.
Responding on behalf of the members, the new chairman of the rice mill, Mr.Obaji Linus appreciated governor Umahi for all the developmental strides across the state, adding that his programmes and policies in agriculture, commerce and industry are outstanding and have increased the production capacity of the rice mill, which has in turn added value to the lives of Ebonyians and Nigeria at large.
Mr.Obaji promised not to relent, but carryout the responsibilities assigned to them to maintain the standard and good image of the rice mill.
“I want to thank God for this great day and on behalf of my executives, I wish to express in every ramification that we are going to carry out the responsibility that has been assigned to us. We are going to serve the state very meriteriously because the governor has done marvelously well and we are going to emulate him in every aspect to represent the good image that the rice mill industry has given to the entire world.
“We are going to add value to the mill to ensure that the image of the state is maintained in its supply of food to the state, Nigeria and the entire world,” he assured.
