By NAOMI UZOR

The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has urged government at all levels to step up efforts at enhancing the growth and development of the private sector.

Speaking at 2014 Commerce and Industry award, organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, in Lagos, the National President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, said this could only be achieved through appropriate and effective enabling policy measures and programmes that would enable the private sector play its role as driver of the economic growth and development of the nation.

“Indeed, studies have revealed that the most basic social responsibility of any organisation is to help generate growth, create wealth, as well as ensure a sustainable economic opportunity for all and sundry.”

He acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State Government towards ensuring business friendly environment for both local and foreign investors to contribute effectively to the growth and development of the economy of the state and transforming Lagos State to become the much talked about Mega City through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.

Continuing, he said, “I believe this was the reasoning of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in its wisdom to initiate an award programme, to further encourage organisations to improve on their contribution to the development of the nation.

“We are hopeful that programme(s) of this nature would be emulated and be replicated by other chambers of commerce and business associations nationwide, in order to further encourage member organisations in their domains to improve on their role as instruments for economic development and wealth creation in their respective states.”

Also speaking, President of LCCI, Alhaji Remi Bello, disclosed that the objective of the award series is to celebrate private and public institutions operating in Nigeria for their best business practices, growth through innovations, business sustainability and positive impact on the people /society.

”We are committed to the promotion of the core values that would ensure sustainable progress of the Nigerian economy. These core values include integrity, transparency, social responsibility and sincere commitment to the ideals of business ethics. Value creation is at the heart of wealth creation. The main drivers of wealth creation are private enterprises. The investment environment may be challenging, but it has brought the best out of entrepreneurs. We are today celebrating enterprises that have excelled in the economy amidst multitude of challenges in the investment environment. We are excited that many of them are also indigenous enterprises” he stated.

He said the chamber recognise that there is no perfect time to make an impact in any system, adding that, while the government is fixing the power sector, security challenges, infrastructure issues, institutional bottlenecks, corruption, the private sector must move-on, adding that, the nominees have not only moved on, but have excelled.