GOVERNOR Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya says his government recognises the pivotal roles and contributions of the private sector and businesses in economic growth and the overall development of Gombe State.
The governor, who was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected executives of Gombe State Inter-Local Market Traders Association held at Custodian Hotel, Gombe, also announced a 250 million Naira grant for the traders to boost their capital with assurance of his readiness to continue supporting their course and interests in order to boost economic activities in the state.
Governor Inuwa said considering his background in trade, he is very much aware of the concerns and interests of members of the business community in the state, whom he described as critical stakeholders in governance, hence his reasons for churning out pro-pro-business policies and programmes geared towards the development of the sub-sector.
He said to the credit of some of his policies, today Gombe stands tall as the best State in the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
“We are very much concerned with the security of lives and properties of all our traders and businessmen as well as the entire citizenry whether on the roads or in the markets, that is why we brought the Go-Cares programme in which we are spending more than 8 billion Naira to revamp our economy which was ravaged by the effects of Covid-19 and other global challenges”.
He assured that his administration will continue to provide the needed support to businesses and trading associations in the state for their activities to flourish.
” I hereby direct security agents to work in harmony and understanding with you, specially those whose business hours extent to night-time in order to ease their activities and transportation hurdles, considering the fact that our time for closure of gates into Gombe State is 12am not 10PM”, urging the traders to be law abiding and continue to operate under the armbit of the law.
The governor used the occasion to assure the traders that no any plan to demolish Gombe markets as peddled by some opposition politicians.
He enjoined members of the association and the entire people of Gombe State to continue to live in peace and play politics without bitterness.
“People should ensure they collect their PVCs and vote wisely in the forthcoming general elections, because it is the only instrument that can be used to install the leaders of our choice”, he urged.
The governor presented certificate of return to the new chairman, Alhaji Uba Abdullahi, urging him and other executive members to work towards the overall interest of their members and Gombe State in general.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Hon. Commissioner for Youth Development, who oversees the activities of Associations, Hon. Abubakar Aminu Musa commended them for conducting peaceful and credible elections which saw to the emergence of a new elected leadership of the traders union.
Also in his remarks, The Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Tourism, Hon. Nasiru Muhammad Aliyu, said, the objectives of the association are in consonance with Governor Inuwa’s vision and mission, assuring the support of his ministry towards achieving their goals.
In his response, the newly elected Chairman, Alh. Uba Abdullahi (Iyan Kagarawal) thanked Governor Inuwa for identifying with Gombe traders, assuring him of his support and that of his members to the good policies and programmes of Inuwa-led administration and his re-election bid,.
He expressed optimism that members of the association will benefit more if the governor wins his re-election, pledging to mobilise their members and their families to vote en masse for APC as a way of reciprocating the Governor’s gesture.
There was a goodwill message from the National President of the Inter-Local Market Traders Association, Alhaji Ibrahim 86.