Abia State Government says it would continue to build strategic partnerships and implement sustainable solutions to address the challenges faced by traders in various markets across the State.
The Special Adviser to Abia State Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry, Chief Nwaka Inem stated this at Ariaria International Market, where he led a delegation from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to visit the market.
Inem, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr Ikechukwu Monday as well as other Government officials engaged with market executives to gain insights into the challenges faced by traders and explore avenues for UNDP assistance.
He noted that the UNDP delegation’s visit to key markets in the state is aimed at discussing potential partnerships and support for the dynamic initiatives of Governor Alex Otti.
Inem further stated that the visit is focused on understanding the operational landscape of the state’s markets and the challenges faced by Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises with the aim to help traders achieve their full potential.
“First Of all we are here with a team from UNDP who is visiting Abia state to explore areas of partnering and supporting the dynamic leadership of our Governor, Dr Alex Otti.
“They want to see how our markets operate, they want to see the challenges our markets have, both our small and medium scale industries so that they can come back and partner with Abia State in making sure that we operate at our full potentials“, Inem emphasized.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, a UNDP representative, Claire Henshaw, emphasized the organization’s dedication to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering inclusive development at the grassroots level.
Henshaw, noted that by leveraging expertise in Energy, Livelihoods, among others, UNDP seeks to catalyze transformative change and improve the socio-economic well-being of traders across the various markets in the State.
She said the visit aims to foster a deeper understanding of challenges hindering the growth and sustainability of businesses within the state’s markets adding that by directly interacting with Market Executives and Traders, the UNDP delegation seeks to identify pressing issues and formulate targeted interventions to address them.
Also speaking, the UNDP Gender and Women Balance Expert, Onyinye Ndubuisi assured Market Executives of its commitment to support initiatives that promote sustainable development, address the identified challenges and drive positive change within the markets.
Earlier, the President, Ariaria International Market, Ozoekwe Chikadibia and the Woman Leader of the Market, Mrs Foster Chigere, shared the challenges they encounter on a daily basis, ranging from inadequate power supply, emission of Carbon monoxide as a result of constant use of generators among others and highlighted the need for improved infrastructure, access to finance, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance their livelihoods and foster inclusive economic growth.
