Traders launch charter, manifesto on development

The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) on Monday in Abuja formally launched the Traders Charter and Farmers Manifesto as part of measures to boost economic development and food security in the country.

The president of NANTS, Ken Ukaoha, said that the association is tired of policy failures due to the non-commitment of those saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that the economic policies are implemented to the latter and in the interest of the country and its citizens.

According to him, parts of the provisions of the charter include the immediate design and provision of coherent, predictable and inward-looking trade policy to help in smooth running of the economy.

“We are not asking for too much neither are we being selfish, we want investigation of all illegal seizure of traders goods by agencies in line with commitment to the fight against corruption. We are using the power of our votes to ensure that the two instruments – ‘Traders Charter of Demand’ and ‘Farmers Manifesto’ are implemented by political office holders or those seeking political offices.

“We are also asking for harmonization of taxes and charges meted on traders to curb multiple taxation and economic distortions. We want membership of boards and trade-related agencies and parastatals; adequate security and insurance of markets as a buffer in cases of fire incidents and other natural disasters,” Ukaoha said.

He said that the farmers only ask for increase in budgetary allocations to agriculture, dedication of at least 60 percent of agriculture funding to the small-scale farmers (SSFs) and road map for the resolution of herdsmen-farmers crisis.

He said, “The view of traders and farmers is that they have been continuously short-changed over the years by politicians who only remember them when votes are needed. The idea behind the documents is to highlight the needs of the traders and farmers, for the endorsement of the political class and candidates of various political parties that seek their votes.”

Also, the duo of the Influencing/Public Engagement Officer of OXFAM, Mr Abdulazeez Musa and popular Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo popularly known as Prof John Bull, urged the government and other leaders across the country to pay attention of economic development and food security in the country.