The President Nigeria Association  of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture NACCIMA,  Dr Herbert Ajayi  has urged the Federal Government to give more attention to sectors that could grow the economy. Dr Ajayi, who made the call in a press statement issued in Lagos, advised that more attention should be paid to agriculture, power supply, health and education. Ajayi said that lack of adequate attention to these sectors was responsibility for the slow growth of the nation’s economy.

He said that some of these challenges were part of the blueprint that the Association wanted to discuss with the flag bearers of the various parties in a dialogue that was never held. “We therefore decided to put across to all flag bearers our major concerns on the major challenges that militate against resounding success of the business community. The concerns, if looked into will galvanise the whole nation to achieve double digit real growth in all sectors of our national economy, “ he said.

Ajayi urged the government to revive the farm settlements, industrial clusters, irrigation, storage, processing and packaging facilities, among others, to boost trade. According to him, Nigeria can be food self-sufficient in the next four years if adequate attention is given to agriculture sector.

NACCIMA boss said that agriculture employed more than 60 per cent of the nation’s population while contributing over 40 per cent to the Gross Domestic Products (GDP). He said that it was worrisome that the sector was not well supported with cheap loans.

On the power, he called for community-based power generation and distribution to enhance power supply. “All three phases of generation, transmission and distribution, including insurance and maintenance, must be planned as well as research into the possibility of generating solar power on a big scale,” he said.

He called for more commitment from the Federal Government on the implementation of the Local Content Law, saying the implementation had been slow and poor. According to him, the development had inhibited the realisation of the laudable aspirations of job creation and inclusivity in the oil and gas sector. Our concern is the need to intensify more commitment and sincerity towards local refining of crude oil to make Nigeria a net exporter of refined products within the next five years and create jobs,” he said

He said that such achievement would provide opportunities for industrial growth and save the huge amount spent on subsidy on importation petroleum products annually. The NACCIMA chief also advocated for integrated transportation system that would connect roads, rails, airport, and waterways with the major cities and industrial estates.