BOOSTING COCOA PRODUCTION INDUSTRY IN ABIA: COMMISSIONER MEETS COCOA ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA ABIA STATE CHAPTER

Revenue generation has been described as a very necessary avenue that helps in the development of a state.

The Honourable Commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry Dr Chimezie Isaac Ukaegbu made this known during a meeting with the executives of Cocoa Association of Nigeria, Abia State chapter in his office at the Ogurube Secretariat Complex, and emphasized that Cocoa Industry plays a very important role in the Nigerian economy and other economies all over the world.

The Commissioner thanked the cocoa dealers for commiserating with him stating that their visit is encouraging. He revealed that he is not deterred but he is more poised to play his part to help improve the lives of Abians.

Dr. Chimezie who disclosed that Government will do everything necessary to partner with the Association, urged the cocoa dealers to ensure they pay their revenue to the government, assuring them that government will do all that is necessary to provide enabling environment for their businesses.

The Honourable Commissioner also stressed that Government runs an open-door policy as long as anyone has something that can move to state forward, the Government will be willing to partner with such person or organization.

Earlier in his speech the Director of Produce, Mr, Louis Kalu disclosed that the visit by the Cocoa dealers is to familiarize themselves with the Hon Commissioner, and states that the association is very cooperative as they pay their necessary levies to the government.

In his response, the Chairman Cocoa Association of Nigeria , Abia State chapter, Mazi Johnson Chidi Uche states that the Association is coordinated and has contributed to the governments in the past towards the development of the state. He revealed that the association meets all cocoa official requirements before they leave the state to their final Destination. This he said is to avoid unnecessary hiccups on the way to market.

Mazi Johnson Uche stressed that cocoa is difficult to smuggle as there is a unified fee for grading cocoa across the nation. He thanked Dr. Alex Otti for his prowess and professionalism while congratulating the Honourable Commissioner on his appointment.

The Chairman disclosed that the association is ready to partner with the government because, according to him, its success is their priority and happiness. The Cocoa Association leadership, also appealed to the Government to provide the association with a piece of land to build their Secretariat in the State as it is in other states.

In a vote of thanks the immediate past Chairman thanked the Commissioner for the reception he granted them and assured that the association is always available to work with the government and pray that God will help the administration of Dr Alex Otti to move Abia State to a greater height.

Courtesy: Meregini Lucky. J & Treasure Oyinna
Information Officers, Ministry of Trade Commerce and Industry.

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