Buni tasks chamber to harness, develop Yobe’s economic potentials
By Njadvara Musa, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has tasked the state’s Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (YOCCIMA) with harnessing and developing the economic potential that abounds in the agriculture, industrial, and mining sectors of the local economy.
According to him, the development of the abundant resources in the three sectors will explore more opportunities in reactivating the local economy for sustainable development. Buni gave the task on Monday at the 4th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of YOCCIMA held in Damaturu.
Buni, represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Tourism, and Solid Minerals, Hon. Kaigama Umar, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to fostering public-private sector collaboration to drive economic development in the state.
Highlighting the undeveloped economic resources, he said, “The Buni administration is determined to explore opportunities that will revive the agriculture, tourism, mining, and commerce sectors,” as well as the dormant industries in the three senatorial districts.
He further disclosed that reviving the local economy requires an active private sector partnership, which is an engine of economic growth and development.
Umar reiterated that the harnessing and development of economic resources also aligns with the World Bank’s ease of doing business reforms.
He noted that this led to the setup of State’s Action on Business Enabling Reform (SABRE) with the enactment of the Yobe Public-Private Partnership and Investment Promotion Law.
The AGM also led to the election of Musa Aji Suleiman as the new President of YOCCIMA, while 21 new executive members were also elected to lead the chamber for a two-year term. Suleiman pledged to run an inclusive and transparent leadership based on unity, justice, and equity among the executives and other members of the chamber.
The President, therefore, assured members and the business community of his commitment to the partnership with the three tiers of government, stating, “They will provide us with strategic advice on policies that enhance economic growth and development of the state.
In their goodwill messages, Alhaji Jinjiri Abubakar of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Ahmed Aishemi of the Coalition of Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA) emphasised that the AGM’s success and the chamber’s role are driving the various economic activities in the state.
The new executives were also tasked with implementing initiatives that will enhance trade, commerce, and investment by reinforcing YOCCIMA’s role as a critical partner in the state’s sustainable development.
