The acting President of the Zamfara State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Galadima, has assured members that all eligible and registered members of the chamber will be given equal opportunity to contest for any position in the organisation in accordance with its rules and regulations.
Alhaji Galadima gave the assurance at a press briefing in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
Alhaji Abubakar Chika commended the immediate past President of the chamber Hassan Buhari Tafida for respecting Court order and handed over to him and his DG.
Alhaji Galadima explained that, his emergence as president 1 was based on due process and a directive of the Federal High Court.
He maintained that, the state government had no right to determine who should lead or manage the affairs of the chamber, stressing that,, the organisation had its own laws and procedures.
Alhaji Abubakar Chika also applauded the immediate past President of the chamber, Alhaji Hassan Buhari Tafida, for complying with the court Order and handing over the affairs of the organisation to the new leadership.
He commended Governor Dauda Lawal for respect for the rule of law and commitment to supporting the business community in the state.
According to him, the governor has demonstrated genuine interest in improving the welfare of traders and business operators, particularly through the loan initiative designed to support members of the business community.
The chamber president urged traders and other business operators across the state to remain calm and law-abiding, warning them against taking the law into their own hands.
He said it was not appropriate for individuals or groups to disregard a valid court order simply because they have grievances.
Alhaji Galadima also appealed to members of the chamber to disregard claims that governor Lawal was yet to act on the loan programme, describing such assertions as inappropriate.
“We are not part of those saying that we are waiting for the governor on the issue of the loan. Any right-thinking person is not supposed to make such a statement against a leader who has shown genuine intention to support the business community,”
He assured members that the loan promised by Governor Lawal was still in place, stressing that the new leadership of the chamber would do everything within its mandate to ensure that the funds reached qualified beneficiaries.
He explained that the loan was not intended to be handed over directly to the Chamber of Commerce or the Commissioner for Commerce, but was being managed through the bank.
According to him, the responsibility of the chamber is to screen applicants and ensure that beneficiaries have the capacity to repay the loans, while the bank would make direct disbursements to successful applicants.
He further assured members that the loan programme remained active and that all eligible members would be treated fairly and without sentiment.
Alhaji Galadima, however, appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal to caution the Commissioner for Commerce against actions that could allegedly create confusion over the loan programme, particularly through meetings with different groups in a manner that could lead to a breach of law and order.
He called on traders to remain patient, saying the chamber was committed to ensuring that the loan reached the intended beneficiaries.
The chamber acting president reiterated his commitment to ensuring fairness, transparency and equal treatment of all members in the affairs of the organisation.
