FCT NANTs supports gov’t to boost, economy, members’ welfare too

By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka

In order to jointly work toward boosting the country’s economy and improve its members’ welfare, Abuja the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTs) has concluded arrangements to collaborate with the government in power.

The traders made this known to journalists when the women chapter of the association paid courtesy call on its chairman, Dr Edozie Ugwu within the week in Abuja.

Hailing his members for their conclusion to support and collaborate with the government, table traders’ welfares to those in authority, the chairman used the opportunity to draw the attention of the government to the problems bus members have been encouraging, among which were: demolition of Area 7 Shopping Complex in Garki, FCT by the authority; hike in fuel pump price, which he said has been hindering them and their customers from going about their businesses, due to the increase in transportation fares; poor market transactions and purchasing power, which he attributed to the inability of the traders and customers to afford, as a result of the increase in prices of goods and services, associated with increase in price of fuel.

Ugwu therefore said that they were always there to collaborate with the government in power, in the area of boosting of the economy and advice as it affects commerce.

In agreement with the chairman, the woman leader of the association, Chief (Mrs) Rachael Adewumi said that their planned courtesy calls on the newly elected leaders, both at the executive and legislative levels, as well as the new appointees, would afford them the opportunity to strategize and discuss on how to collaborate with those in authority, so as to restore the country’s economy to its former state.

She added that such calls and collaborations would make those in authority and government officials know the existence of the traders, their individual markets and the needs of the markets and those who are making a living therefrom.

Drawing the government’s attention to the demolition of markets in the nation’s capital, she appealed to those in authority to always provide an alternative to the affected readers, saying that such excise use to affect them in no small measure. Admitting that the government has been giving them loans, she appealed for more, saying that after paying back the loans, there is a need for another, for the traders to continue to contribute majorly to the economy.

Amb. Rachael Adewumi also appealed to Mr President to remember traders in his promises of parliatives to Nigerians, even as she raised the alarm over difficulties the traders and their customers have been passing through, since the increase in transport fares, as a result of increase in price of fuel per litre. This, he appealed to the government to do something about, before things get out of hand. She therefore noted that means of transportation determeans to a large extent, the economy of every country.

“As soon as there is an increase in transportation fares, directly or indirectly, it will increase the prices of goods and services. So I appeal to those in authority to handle the fuel issue with carefulness, for the interest of the masses, she appealed.