Trade and Investment Commissioner Brokers Peace in NASSI Crisis

Trade and Investment Commissioner Brokers Peace in NASSI Crisis

By Evelyn Udobia

The lingering leadership crisis rocking the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Small-Scale Industrialists (NASSI) has been resolved, following a peace initiative by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Captain Iniobong Ekong (rtd).

Addressing stakeholders during a meeting in Uyo, Captain Ekong described a strong and vibrant NASSI as pivotal to the success of Governor Umo Eno’s Arise Agenda on entrepreneurship and small business development.

“You cannot be fighting continuously from generation to generation. There must be peace and dialogue, and that is what we have offered. I believe the agreements reached today will hold, and we are seeing a new beginning,” the Commissioner said.

He stressed that without a dynamic NASSI, efforts at promoting entrepreneurship under the Arise Agenda would “fall flat from the foundation,” but with peace restored, the association could now properly execute its mandate of establishing and sustaining small and medium-scale enterprises across the state.

The National President of NASSI, Dr. Solomon Vongfa, lauded the Commissioner’s intervention, describing him as a “peacemaker” whose maturity and commitment had restored harmony in the troubled state chapter.

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Entrepreneurial Development, Mrs. MefLyn Anwana, described the peace meeting as “historic.” She urged stakeholders to embrace unity and cooperation, noting that only a stable and functional NASSI would position members to access the numerous state and federal government grants and support packages available for small-scale industrialists.

Captain Ekong assured that while the ministry would not interfere in the internal administration of the association, it would continue to exercise supervisory oversight to ensure healthy relationships among stakeholders and to foster a trade and investment ecosystem that promotes growth.

“What we want to see, by the grace of God, is to leave this ministry much healthier, more focused, and better positioned than we met it,” he added.

There are indications that the resolution of the crisis is expected to reposition NASSI in Akwa Ibom as a key driver of entrepreneurship, job creation, and industrial growth in line with the state government’s development vision.