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| Hon. Abbey Aku touring facilities at Inland Dry Port Heipang Barkin Ladi Plateau State |
By Joseph A. Adudu
January 23, 2020.
The Plateau State
Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Hon. Abbey Joseph Aku continued his
familiarization tour to establishments, facilities and Industries under the
purview of his ministry with a promised of Government's commitment towards
creating conducive business environment. He appreciated industrialists and
business enthusiasts in the state for their resilience despite the unfavorable
and economic challenges which he further acknowledged to be a global
phenomenon.
The tour which
started yesterday with visits to Highland Bottling Company, Barkin Ladi,
Fertilizer Blending Plant Bokkos amongst others continued today with visits to
Inland Container Dry Port, Heipang, Dilkon Group of Companies, Bisichi, Grand
Cereal, Aguldi,ECWA Rural Development and NESCO all in Bukuru.
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| Hon. Aku, (right) and Hon. Leonard Dilkon, the Chief executive of Dilkon Group |
What seems to be
the challenges to almost all the establishments visited by the commissioner
(taking into cognizance submissions by their Chief Executives), are funding,
manpower and facilities amongst other challenges..
At the Inland
Container Dry Port, the Commissioner was received by the Administrative Manager
Duncan Group of Companies Nenfort Gocham who represented Dr. Godfrey
Bawa, the Chief Executive Duncan Groups. The Commissioner stated that he
was aware of the importance the Dry Port held in uplifting the economy of not
only Plateau state but to other states stressing that the project was a Plateau
project and its completion must be a matter of priority. "We should
consider this project as one that must be completed in the interest of Plateau
state", he said. Nenfort in his submission earlier noted that the project
would have been completed before now but for the bad blood between the company
and the immediate past administration. He added that investors were
willing to invest in the project but lack of facilities, most especially the
rail lines has discouraged many. The Commissioner and his entourage were taking
round the facilities by Arc. Richard Bako.
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| Hon. Aku and Sam Goma, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
At the Grand
Cereal, the Commissioner appreciated the company for its contribution to
Plateau economy and urged the company to continue its efforts in the area of
corporate Social Responsibility. Alexander Goma, the Managing Director of the
company earlier promised to have a good synergy with the state government to
achieve economic gains.
At Dilkon Group
of Companies, the Commissioner was warmly received by its Chairman and Chief
Executive, Hon. Leonard Dilkon who in company of other management staff of the
Company took the Commissioner round the multi-million naira factory to see the
state-of-the-art equipment. Hon. Abbey highly commended Dilkon for his patriotic
mind which prompted his establishment of the gigantic factory that has employed
thousands and contributed immensely to the economy of the state. Speaking
earlier, Dilkon identified banks as the major obstacle to local entrepreneurs.
Hon. Abbey was
warmly received at the ECWA Rural Development by Saraki Kizuwa, its Managing
Director. The Commissioner commended the ECWA for its contribution to the
economic growth of the state. "You have been able to boost the economy of
the state and by so doing, have taken away youths from the streets through
employment", the Commissioner said. Kizuwa in his submission earlier, said
that the major problem of the organization was working capital as financial
institutions were no longer forthcoming in terms of loans and other facilities
and called on the state government to come to its aid. The Commissioner
promised to talk to talk his counterpart at the ministry of Agriculture on the
matter since the Organization falls under the purview of the ministry.
At the NESCO
Bukuru, the Commissioner extolled the virtues of the Organization saying that
the history of Plateau state cannot be complete without mentioning NESCO because
of its contribution to its economic growth. The Commissioner was received by
Christopher Robin Kretjar, NESCO Managing Director who appreciated the
Plateau state Government under Governor Lalong for assisting the Organization.
"We have had a great deal of assistance from Plateau state Government. We
are so appreciative to Gov. Lalong and I hope you would convey the message to
him", he said. The commissioner was accompanied the Permanent Secretary, Sam Gumar and Directors in the ministry.
The tour
continues tomorrow.
Sir, I really appreciate and commend your emense effort in publishing the outcome of this tour. It's indeed a great one sir.
ReplyDeleteYour giant efforts towards updating the Plateau People on the happening in the Govt. of the Rescue Administration Lead by Rt. Hon. Simon B Lalong and the good work they are doing will be greatly rewarded.
ReplyDelete