The National Association of Nigerian Traders, NANTs, Abuja chapter, has commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for what it described as outstanding strides in infrastructural development under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Chairman of the association, Ifeanyi Okonkwo, gave the commendation in a Democracy Day message, highlighting Wike’s efforts in constructing roads, rehabilitating schools, and improving access to markets across the territory.
Okonkwo noted that the improved road network around markets has significantly boosted trade activities, describing it as a “game-changer” for the business community in the FCT.
He however appealed to the minister to prioritise the expansion of existing markets or the construction of new ones to accommodate the large number of apprentices graduating into business annually.
“Every year, we train thousands of young traders who are ready to start their own ventures. Unfortunately, the current market infrastructure cannot absorb them. We are asking the Minister to consider creating more spaces so these young Nigerians can thrive,” he said.
The traders’ leader assured the minister of their full support and pledged the association’s readiness to partner with the FCT Administration in driving further development.
Also speaking, the association’s woman leader, Rachael Adewumi, called for greater empowerment of traders, noting their vital role in job creation and grassroots economic growth.
She urged the federal and FCT authorities to sustain the current momentum and to support policies that promote small businesses and informal sector operators.
According to her, “With the right support, our members will continue to contribute meaningfully to the economy and to national development.”
The traders’ union maintained that expanding market facilities in Abuja would not only cater to the needs of new entrepreneurs but also enhance revenue generation and ease the pressure on overcrowded trading zones.
Democracy Day: Bwari residents want govt to tackle hunger, security
Residents of Bwari in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory Thursday said government must do more to address hunger and insecurity in the country for democracy day celebration to be meaningful to them.
Cross section of the residents said nothing much is on ground to celebrate, adding that people are now struggling to feed themselves.
One of the residents, Mrs Hannatu Jiya, simply asked, ‘’What do you want me to celebrate, hunger or the killings everywhere? Things are not this bad even under the military regimes.’’
She urged the governments at all levels to be deliberate in addressing the issue of food security as well as the insecurity in the land.
Mallam Jimoh Iyanda, a resident of Kogo, a community near Bwari, said much needed to be done in the area of leadership under the democratic setting.
According to him, successive governments under the democratic setting seem to be helpless in the area of tackling insecurity and to a surprise even the economy.
‘’Our economy was more stable during the so-called military regimes than even now, so what are we celebrating,’’ he asked.
