The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, yesterday, said that in the last two years, about N4 trillion has been lost to the sit-at-home order in the South East.
Kalu said that if the funds had been invested in the region, it would have created improved socio-economic activities and further developed the region.
He spoke in Lagos at a conference organised by Ndigboamaka Progressive Marketers Association with the theme, ‘Catalysing Partnership with Traders through Innovation, Technology, Analytical and Sustainability’.
Kalu said that he and 45 other legislators met last Thursday to discuss strategies on ending the sit-at-home order in the South East.
The deputy speaker, however, charged marketers to be more innovative, especially in using technology to advance businesses.
He said that traders must be open to equity market, financing and risk management, disclosing that he would use his office and other legislative powers to ensure that the ports are decongested to enable traders carry out their business smoothly.
Also speaking, Chairman, United Nigeria Airlines, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said the airline would support legislators to douse the tension around sit-at-home order.
Okonkwo said that the airline would partner with the lawmakers to ensure flights to states in the region are seamless.
He further said that for several decades, the Igbo, as traders and business leaders, thrive very well in peaceful and accommodating environments.
Okonkwo, who doubles as the National Grand Patron of the association, said:
“While we live, do business and make a living here, we should not in any way suggest that Lagos is a no man’s land. It is erroneous and insulting to think so. Archeology tells us that even in lands where civilisation has supplanted races, there are still people referred to as original inhabitants of those lands.”
In his remarks, the association’s president, Chinedu Ukatu, said that any country that is not innovating and building human capacity would be totally left behind.
Ukatu noted that in the area of capacity building, the association has engaged and empowered over 500,000 youths.
He implored government at all levels and private sector players, especially shippers, to partner with traders.
