$20bn GDP-size Delta economy to come alive as DACCIMA revives trade fair at Osubi
NIGERIA’S DELTA STATE, with a gross domestic product (GDP) size of $20.79 billion according to 2016 data, plans to revive its long-forgotten trade fair programme, beginning with this year, 2018. The fair would hold from November 15 through 25 at Osubi, near Warri, the state’s oil coastal city.
Emma Avworo, president of Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA) said the body is organising the trade exhibition to revive the programme in the state.
When it eventually holds, it would be the 11th edition. The state government, through its ministry of commerce and industry, would provide funding.
Only last year, Delta government signed a N2 billion memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a construction company, Fazsad Construction Company (FCCL) to build an ultra-modern fair centre.
The fair centre project is on a 20-year build, operate and transfer (BOT) arrangement.
The project, it is believed, would be one of the best trade fair complexes in sub-Sahara Africa, with in-built exhibition and multi-purpose halls, toilets, large parking space, conference halls, banking halls, a standard hotel, well-equipped health centre, police post, a post office, anchor shop and line shops, cinema hall, offices, classy restaurants, entertainment spots, pavilions and other facilities.
Avworo said DACCIMA believes that the ‘Trade Fair 2018’, is a veritable opportunity for manufacturers and distributors across Delta to showcase their products to prospective consumers in the state.
“The fair promises to be a 10-day brisk business and B2B for investors wishing to do business in Delta State,” he said.
He also said it would not be a fair for herbalists, but of seriousminded manufacturers of products and services to showcase their products.
Delta state’s fair centre at Osubi Airport road is few kilometres from two big commercial and industrial city chambers of commerce –Onitsha and Nnewi.
It is believed that traders from Onitsha, and manufacturers in Nnewi auto and machine parts would patronise the planned Delta fair.
Iwemdi Nwaham, chairman of the publicity subcommittee of the trade fair, said the trade exhibition programme has as its theme: “Boosting Nigeria’s Economy through Entrepreneurial Initiative.”
Nwaham said it would be a “golden opportunity for Delta State to (also) showcase the works of the current government of the state under Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
He urged Deltans to partner with DACCIMA to parade a mostrewarding fair, which would also showcase the state and its achievements in the last three-and-a-half years.