Senator representing Anambra North, Sen. Stella Oduah, has reiterated her call for the establishment of an inland container terminal in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, stating that it will help grow Nigeria’s economy, as well as enable the South-East region attain industrial revolution.

Senator Stella Oduah

Senator Oduah disclosed this, while leading delegation of South East Amalgamated Market Traders Association, SEAMATA on a courtesy visit to the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki at the National Assembly.

Oduah said: “There is indeed a great need to establish an inland container terminal in Onitsha. Considering the volume of trade ongoing on a daily basis, this will enhance production, boost the Nigeria’s economy and revolutionize the South East.

“Onitsha apart from being a commercial hub is also strategically located by the Niger bridge. Therefore, this move will ensure industrial layout and advocacy for industrial revolution starting with cottage industries and micro finance to drive them‎.

“We can create many Innossons from South East and beyond if enabling laws are enacted and if the Senate can do this in accelerated manner.”

The Chairman of SEAMATA, Dr. Okey Ezenwankwo in his address lauded the leadership of the 8th Senate, even as he lamented the implications of the dwindling economy to their businesses.

“We are following with keen interest the ingenuity which you have brought into the leadership of the 8th Senate. It has helped in no small measure to bring stability in the democratic process we are enjoying today.

“The difficult economic challenges facing our the world and our nation in particular has a direct implications on us as buyers and sellers. This difficulty will send over 70 per cent of the trading population into the labour market if nothing urgent is done to checkmate the situation,

“These challenges include; Sourcing of Foreign Exchange , SUNCAP, the 10,000 dollar of what one can take across our boarders among others. We most passionately appeal to you to restore hope to families through setting fixed exchange rate for the Naira rather than leaving it at the mercy of market forces,” He added.

Recall that on January 28, 2016, Senator Oduah while speaking at the interactive session of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, had emphasized on the creation of inland container in Anambra State to boast export.