Stella Oduah, who was sacked on Friday as Senator representing Anambra North has called for the establishment of an inland container terminal in Onitsha, Anambra State to enhance production.
Speaking at the interactive session of the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions shortly before she was sacked by the Supreme Court, she emphasized the need to encourage more export in the face of dwindling oil revenue.
The Managing Director of Nigeria Export – Import Bank, NEXIM Robert Orya briefed the Committee on its activities in general and the various challenges they are currently facing as an institution.
She congratulated the Managing Director of the bank for making the country proud in 2015, and noted a number of expectations from the development bank.
“I want to remind you that the bank is a development bank and should make provisions to accommodate the cottage industries, without these cottage industries we cannot boast of development.
“A massive volume of trade is ongoing in the south East where I come from specifically Aba and Onitsha which happens to be the commercial hub of import and export on a daily basis.
“As a landlocked area, there is a huge need for the establishment of inland terminal in Onitsha to enhance production and create portfolio for elaborate farming in the South East to ensure rural economic growth.
“Farm produce like; tomatoes, okro, pepper and other easily available crops at close proximity should be incorporated into export products to help boost the economy,” Oduah stated.
On the challenge of funding, she urged them to source for more ventures for funding and stop focusing solely on the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
Lawmakers Present at the session include Chiarman of the committee, Rafiu Ibrahim, Peter Nwaboshi , Rilwan Akanbi and other members of the committee.
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