| What FG should do with
Trade Fair Complex
By SIMEON MPAMUGOH
Wednesday,
September 26, 2007
Prince Anthony Akanegbu is the President of Balogun Business
Association (BBA) owners of the International Centre for Commerce,
Trade Fair Complex, Badagry Expressway, Lagos.
The Association moved its members from its Lagos Island base
to the current Trade Fair Site in 2002. It was commissioned
by former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. September
13, 2007 marks exactly five years of the relocation.
In this interview with Daily Sun, President
of the Association Prince Anthony Akanegbu spoke on the improvement
of existing infrastructure of the market, planned privatization
of the complex and business opportunities open to the market.
Challenges
Balogun Business Association (BBA) is a strong trade association
in Nigeria and incidences occur daily that demand prompt attention,
and taking right decisions on these matters at the spur of
the moment has been a challenge. However, this cannot be possible
without steady concentration, sound mind and lots of prayers.
Another challenge I have is the constant need to maintain
a just balance of harmony in the midst of contending issues
in the daily affairs of the complex.
Underutilized infrastructure
It is true the infrastructure development at the market is
still underutilized, despite that one can also see that growth
is constantly and gradually taking place which will engender
optimalized use of the infrastructure. The changes may not
be easily appreciated due to the large size of the market.
The responsibility of the association is to ensure control
in all aspects of developments and to position the Center
for informed analyses and projections for the benefit of the
international trading community.
Privatization of the complex
The issue of privatization of the complex to BBA is a pathetic
one. It shows government’s inconsistencies in this country.
International Center of Commerce owned by Balogun Business
Association (BBA) Auto Spare Parts and Machinery Dealers Association
(ASPMDA) and others within the Trade fair Complex have already
been privatized and premium paid to the government, lease
deals have been signed, and annual ground rents are being
paid, and an estimated 80,000 Nigerians and foreigners, are
gainfully employed at this complex. Is that not government
motive for privatization which already achieved?
So why harass us again with a deal that has already been concluded,
sealed and delivered. Balogun Business Association has invested
whopping sums of money to bring the complex to the level it
is right now.
There are still other portions of the Trade fair Complex which
have not been privatized, and government can concentrate on
those portions and allow us to be, especially considering
our stake in the complex. We have taken the matter to appropriate
government quarters to defend it. However, it is expedient
to remind government that they have realized their aims in
the lease of those portions to the trading community otherwise
referred to as "Informal Sector"
Implications to stakeholders
The implications are enormous. We see it as a ploy to position
few privilege Nigerians to reap where they did not sow, and
to ensure that the trading communities never come together
to forge a common economic front for their sector. Another
implication which the touted privatization exercise has on
the stakeholders is that the few privileged Nigerians –
whether they really pay to government or not – being
positioned to buy up the place can come back to overburden
BBA members and others doing business at the complex with
heavy levies, thereby reducing the efforts and self –
sacrifices made by the traders to naught.
The position of BBA
The position of Balogun Business Association (BBA) is not
different from those of our sister associations and leaseholders
like ASPMDA, Progressives, Lake-view, Call Park etc. We wish
to be excluded from the concession, government should lease
out the remaining portion of the trade fair complex. Better
still let it be leased to us and we will ensure that a management
consortium is appointed to oversee the administration of the
entire complex.
The anniversary:
Though, every member of the association is in high spirit,
our 5-year anniversary has been tailored to be low-keyed.
We intend to invite leadership of the association past and
present, and in the presence of the general assembly cut anniversary
cake.
Motivation
The cordial relationship of the different arms of my administration;
from the Board of Trustees, Central Executive Council, the
Central Committee to the Chairmen and Executives of the clusters,
all thrill and motivate me. The unalloyed co-operation and
smiles I see on their faces in carrying out assignments fills
me with joy.
Advice to government
My advice to government comes in form of appeal; government
should repair the Badagry Expressway to reduce the problems
of transporters plying the route as well as lift the image
of Nigeria before the ECOWAS sub-region. It should also check
the excesses of security agents on the routes by ensuring
through their education that they concentrate on issues that
border purely on security and allow conveyance of goods and
services freely to their destinations bearing in mind always,
that it is the image of this country that is involved, whenever
they breach professional code of conduct.
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