From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Enugu State Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA) has resolved to independently transform the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex into a modern facility, following what it described as the Federal Government’s refusal to complete the project as it did in Lagos and Kaduna.
President of ECCIMA, Sir Odeiga Jideonwo, made this known during the commissioning of a 3,000sqm Premium Exhibition and Convention Hall constructed by his administration through the chamber’s Internally Generated Revenue.
In his address, he traced the long-standing expectations of previous leadership of the chamber and the disappointment that followed.
His words, ” This project has been the vision of the past leaders of the chamber who hoped that the Federal Governnent would build the complex which they started in 1999.Unfortunately, the Federal Governnent refused to build the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex as they did in Lagos and Kaduna’.
Sir Jideonwo explained that upon assuming office in February 2024, his administration decided to confront the infrastructural deficit at the complex head-on, adding that four additional large structures are planned for execution by subsequent ECCIMA leadership.
“My leadership came into power I’m February 2024 with a decision to change the narrative about the Infrastructural deficit in the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex by embarking on this project.
“The architectural design/layout was made immediately and the Foundation laying ceremony was performed on April 4,2024 during the opening ceremony of the 35th Enugu International Trade Fair,by His Excellency the Deputy Governor of Enugu state,on behalf of His Excellency,Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah.
“Today is indeed a historic landmark in the affiairs of the Chamber and indeed the Organised Private Sector, particularly East of the Niger,as we have gathered to witness the commissioning of this our Premium Exhibition and Convention Hall. This building is a great signpost for the Institutional Capacity enhancement of the Organised Private Sector for exhibition purposes, particularly in this part of the world”.
According to him, the 3,000sqm structure cost about half a billion naira and was fully financed through ECCIMA’s internally generated revenue, sourced from voluntary contributions by members and associates of the chamber.
He stated, “At this juncture, let me acknowledge with immense gratitude the support of the following who partnered us and raised the fund for the construction work of this building,which has led us where we are today.
“To our Gold Partners, Sir Rob Awatu,Rev (Dr) Ugochukwu Chime, Ichie(Dr)Nnaeto Orazuluike,Sir Odeiga Jideonwo,Engr.Igwe MBA,our key motivators,we specially value you and want to thank you immensely for your magnamity. To our Silver Partner, Mr Gbe ga Adigun, We are very proud of you for making us proud and greatly identifying with our aspiration to raise the bar for the Organised Private Sector exhibition plartform standard and image in this part of the globe. Let me also thank our Bronze Partner,Chief Emeka Mba.”
While commending Governor Peter Mbah for rehabilitating internal roads within the complex, the ECCIMA President appealed to the Enugu State Government to support the chamber with air conditioners for the new hall and landscaping of its surroundings ahead of the 37th Enugu International Trade Fair scheduled for March 21 to 30, 2026.
“May we therefore, like Oliver Twist request for the support of His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and the Enugu state government towards the installation of the needed Air conditioners in this building as well as the landscaping of the building surroundings.This no doubt will send strong message to both the foreign and local participants at the 37th International Trade on the Infrastructural development efforts of the Enugu State Government,” Sir Jideonwo pleaded.
Representing the governor at the event, the Enugu State Commissioner for Commerce, Investment and Industries, Dr Sam Ogbu Nwobodo, praised ECCIMA’s commitment to developing the permanent site of the trade fair complex and assured that Governor Mbah would continue to support the chamber where necessary.
Findings indicate that the Enugu International Trade Fair Complex was designed to serve states across the Eastern region, similar to the complexes in Lagos and Kaduna that cater to the Western and Northern regions respectively. However, the underdeveloped state of the permanent site at Golf Estate for over two decades has hampered the region’s capacity to effectively host international trade fairs, posing a persistent challenge to ECCIMA.
Determined to reverse the trend, the chamber has now opted to mobilise its own resources to upgrade the facility rather than continue waiting for Federal Government intervention.
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