"CONSCCIMA; the Economic and Developmental Driver of Northern Nigeria", Says Saratu Aliyu

Following its determination to strengthen and further develop the business community in Nigeria, especially as it concerns the North, the Council of Coalition of the Northern States Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA), the umbrella body of all Chambers of Commerce in the 19 Northern States including FCT, Abuja, has come out to make its position known.


In a statement signed by its Chairperson, Hajia Saratu Iya Aliyu, disclosed that, in its capacity as the voice of the organized private sector to call on stakeholders, authorities concerned on the need to fully respect provisions enshrined in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) especially in border towns across Northern Nigeria.

"As we are all aware, the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme, ETLS is an international agreement between ECOWAS states that is aimed at ensuring that goods; particularly agricultural produce and products, are moved freely without being subjected to tariffs and non-tariffs barriers under the right of establishment provided for, in the ECOWAS free movement protocol: A/SP2/S/90: see http//www.etls.ecowas.int/", she said.

"Accordingly, all agricultural crops/products are applicable to the ETLS on the free movement of goods, but, only industrially processed goods that would require certificate of origin before it can be exchanged across the borders of ECOWAS member states".

"In view of the foregoing, we wish to inform stakeholders, authorities and the general public that CONSCCIMA is daily contending with a deluge of reports from businessmen and women of allegations of actions unbecoming of the relevant agencies of government manning the borders on goods which do not fall under the lists of restricted goods, are allowed to cross the borders", Hajia Aliyu, who is also the 1st Deputy Chairperson of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, NACCIMA said.

The CONSCCIMA Chairperson therefore, urging the Inspector General of Police and the Comptroller General of Customs to seek ways of ensuring that there is free movement of goods and services in compliance to the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS).

Speaking further, Hajia Aliyu noted that, "it is also expedient to say that, as a people, we should not take undue advantage of the laws of the land".

The CONSCCIMA Chairperson stated that "the Council wishes to also inform the general public that it held its 2nd Quarterly Council meeting in Dutse, the Seat of Jigawa State recently, where far-reaching decisions were taken that have impacted positively on the progress and development of the region; given by its   collective resolve and heightened spirit to make CONSCCIMA the economic and developmental driver".

She noted that, "in consideration of the status of the economy of Northern Nigeria, ranked as the least developed among the constituent units of Nigeria in all spheres of human endeavour, the unanimity of Council at the meeting was to step in decisively and strategically, to promote the private sector-led economic development as the shortest and surest route to economic renaissance in the region; in view of our enormous potentials in human and material resources".

The statement which was released by Mallam Ahmed Usman, Director General of CONSCCIMA noted that, "this thrust can only be achieved if we revive the real sectors of the economy with particular emphasis to Agriculture and the Small and Medium Enterprises, which invariably occupies a large portion of the self-employed cadre of the populace".

"CONSCCIMA should be used as the driving force of that decision and implementation making process. The hardship that is biting deep into the fibres of the society is enormous and must be addressed", the NACCIMA 1st Deputy Chairperson stated.

Speaking on the rate of unemployment in the country, Saratu Aliyu diaclosed that; "there are quite a number of our youths that are out of school and jobless, representing a very critical percentage of our working population, but alas, become a threat to the society".

We would like to thank our various member states (Chambers of Commerce in the 19 Northern states) and also express our appreciation to our partners and major stakeholders, especially the media as we will always solicit your support as we strive to reposition the business community for a greater Nigeria, the CONSCCIMA Chairperson concluded.