President of Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association, Nnewi, Anambra State, Mr Austin Jideofor has lauded the former Governors of the State for significant progress in many sectors, but noted that there is still room for improvement.
Mr Jideofor while speaking with some journalists in his office at Nkwo Nnewi market disclosed, yesterday, that Anambra at 33 years called for sober reflection, for the leaders to look at the State to see if they were really doing well in terms of infrastructure, security and youth empowerment.
He said the present Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo should look at other States especially Abia State and see how massively it has been developing.
“We need to follow others since we have Non-Governmental Organizations and World Bank that are sponsoring some of the development projects in the State.
“Anambra is a business area and if the millions of Naira coming in everyday are well harnessed, we will be far better than other States in Nigeria, “he said.
Mr Jideofor noted that the masses needed three things of roads, security and light from any government.
He commended Governor Soludo for constructing a road leading to Nnewi Hotel, but added that it was not enough for a business area like Nnewi. He canvassed for more good roads in Nnewi.
He disclosed that Nnewi had over 80 registered markets that were doing very well, saying that this was more reason the industrial community needed more infrastructure.
The association’s President lamented high taxation citing a particular tax which he said was N12,300 last year and was later increased this year to more than N33,000 despite the economic situation in the country.
He said his association did not know how government came up with such a decision without consulting them. He explained that the situation had led to complaints by his members.
According to him, increasing a levy to 200 percent was very unfair to the association and urged government to look into it. He said the timing of the levy increment was not fair especially in a time like this.
On security, Mr Jideofor said that traders were not satisfied with the level of insecurity in Anambra State, though he revealed that he heard Anambra State Government would soon come up with a plan in all the Local Government Areas to put an end to the security challenges.
“We’ re watching as peaceful and loving people. We don’t agitate or react negatively because we are intelligent people. Let the government do the needful, “he said.
Speaking on Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s death, Jideofor lamented that Nnewi community, Ndigbo and indeed Nigeria had lost a great politician.
He said that Ubah’s death had been a shock to so many people especially those he impacted. He described late Ubah as a courageous and fearless man whose tremendous achievements at young age before he joined politics were huge.
He disclosed that late Ubah’s doggedness, fearlessness, his courageousness in approaching matters led to the move for local government autonomy in all the States of the federation.
With this election, he said the Local Government Chairmen would be responsible for the development of their areas.
On their relationship with Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Jideofor said they had good relationship with SON starting from day one and had even some time ago provided apartment for them till the day they rented theirs.
“They hear us, reason with us, know our plight despite the law establishing them under the immediate past President Buhari gave SON too much power, but we still relate very well with them, “he noted.
Speaking on Ibeto’s Seaport, he said that the traders had started their patronage of the facility, revealing that over 40 vessels had birthed at the seaport already.
He said that some of the Importers who had not visited the facility would soon visit the seaport in Port Harcourt to be able to patronize it.
He urged the traders to patronize their own, adding that the owner, Chief Cletus Ibeto remained their own who started trading in the Nkwo Nnewi market.
