A'Ibom Traders partner Trade Ministry to boost commerce

 

Akwa Ibom Traders Forum has expressed its readiness to partner with the Ministry of Trade and Investment to strengthen commercial activities, improve market infrastructure, and enhance the welfare of traders across the state.

This was the outcome of a meeting held on Monday, November 10, 2025, at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Uyo, between the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Captain Iniobong Ekong (Rtd), and the Akwa Ibom Executive Members of Traders Forum led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Matters, Akparawa Idorenyin Raphael.

Speaking during the meeting, the SSA commended the Ministry’s leadership for its collaborative approach and reaffirmed the traders’ commitment to complementing the government’s efforts in repositioning the informal sector as a key driver of economic growth.

He said there was a need to introduce ARISE Model Market across the State to modernize trading environments, improve hygiene, security, and access in addition to other International Markets constructed by the current administration.

“I really want to commend this administration for building the International Market and for the ongoing work at the Ikot Ekpene International Market. We are here to partner with the Ministry. The last traders’ grant by the Governor went directly to real traders and today, there is visible impact among our members.” he said.

In his response, the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Captain Ekong, Rtd, commended the Traders Forum for its initiative and assured that the Ministry will continue to foster partnerships that advance trade and investment opportunities across the state.

He noted that true economic growth requires inter-ministerial collaboration, bringing together science, digital economy and internal security and assured that the ministry remains open to innovative ideas capable of moving Akwa Ibom forward.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ARISE Agenda: A'Ibom Councillors Make New Demands

Image
• meet Gov aide on Youths Mobilization  The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Youth Mobilisation, Mr Joe Williams flanked by the 31 House Committee Chairmen on Youths from across the local government councils of Akwa Ibom State, after a meeting in Uyo last Monday.  House Committee Chairmen on Youths across the 31 local government legislative councils of Akwa Ibom State have made strong advocacy for proper inclusion in government to help interpret the ARISE Agenda of the present administration of Pastor Umo Eno. This formed the crux of the meeting with the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Umo Eno on Youth Mobilisation, Mr Joe Williams, held at Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo last Monday.  The legislators who stressed the importance of proper sensitisation and inclusivity of youths in government dealings, noted that House Committee Chairmen are the main grassrooters with proper understanding of the needs of the youths at that level, adding that they are the ones ...
Read more

Udom Emmanuel in EFCC Net Over ‘N700bn Fraud’

Image
Udom Emmanuel  Udom Emmanuel, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N700 billion fraud. TheCable understands that the former governor was taken into custody shortly after he arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday around 12:30 pm. Emmanuel was at the EFCC headquarters to honour an invitation over the allegation of money laundering, diversion of funds and stealing preferred against him by Network Against Corruption and Trafficking (NCAT), a civil society organisation (CSO). Sources within the EFCC said the petitioner alleged that the former governor received N3 trillion from the federation Account in eight years but left a debt profile of N500 billion and unpaid ongoing projects worth N300 billion in Akwa Ibom state. He was also alleged to be unable to account for N700 billion. There has been no official statement issued about the arrest by the anti-graft agency. Source: TheCab...
Read more

Sister Victoria Bose Clarke Received As Ag Chairman BCS Executive Council

Image
  The world headquarters of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star (BCS), Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, was agog on Saturday, following a reception ceremony organized in honour of the International Women's President of BCS, Sister Victoria Bose Clarke. Recall that Sis. Victoria Clarke, the current International Women's Fellowship President, was recently appointed by Leader Olumba Olumba Obu as the Acting Chairman, BCS Executive Council, a development that has placed her in two exalted positions within the Kingdom. In his welcome address at the reception ceremony, the Calabar Regional Leader's Representative, His Lordship, Bishop Etim Ante, while appreciating all BCS members for their participation, gave details that the first part of the occasion would feature a celebration of the appointment of a mother, Sis. Victoria Clarke, whom he described as an Amazon. Explaining further, Bishop Ante said the second part would focus on Golden Jubilee Celebration of Women's Pilgrimage and Diamo...
Read more