The Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on his election as the chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

NACCIMA president, Dele Oye, disclosed this via a statement on Sunday in Lagos in the aftermath of Tinubu’s emergence as the chair at the 63rd ordinary session of the regional bloc in Guinea Bissau.

Mr Oye said the appointment came when the ECOWAS region was positioning its member states ready to be integrated into African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

He said Nigeria was expected to play a vital role in the region and the continent, being the largest economy in Africa. The NACCIMA president, however, emphasised the need to address some of the challenges confronting intra-West African trade.

He noted that there were still several stumbling blocks preventing the free flow of goods and services within the region, such as cumbersome procedures, high cost of transportation and corruption.

These issues, Mr Oye said, had limited the growth of trade within the region, thus hindering the economic prosperity of West Africans.

“A lot is expected from Nigeria now more than ever in the history of the country among its peers in Africa. We are aware of your credentials as a seasoned politician and astute administrator with an enviable track record in governance and leadership,” explained Mr Oye. “We are fully confident that you will bring your wealth of experience and expertise to bear on the challenges currently facing the region.”

The NACCIMA boss added, “We are optimistic that you will be able to tackle these issues head-on and implement policies that will facilitate the ease of doing business within the region.”

He also expressed his commitment to supporting and collaborating with the Nigerian president to promote economic growth, trade and investment in West Africa. 

(NAN)