Industry ministry wants transparency of commodity associations

The Federal Ministry of Industry Trade and Investment (FMITI) has advised the major commodity associations registered under it to be more proactive and transparent in their dealings so as to enhance more government support with detailed record of accountability in all ramifications. The Director, Commodity Products Inspectorate in the ministry, Mrs. Opelolu Opewe gave the advice during an interface session with major agricultural commodity associations in Abuja.

She admonished the executives of Federation of Commodity associations of Nigeria led by Dr. Victor Iyama to be more thorough in their activities with detailed records that showed accountability adding that this would encourage government to give more support for a better repositioned economy with private sector at the driver’s seat.

She stressed the need for timely and transparent election from one set of executives to another pointed out that conflicts among members would not enhance progress, and also insisted on a financial work plan that must be submitted to FACAN for onward passage to the ministry for further plan and monitoring of the association’ activities.

She also said the Ministry wanted the associations to replicate the palm oil policy document so as to attract market and foreign investors, but decried the incidence of commodity associations being defrauded saying the executives should be more proactive so as to avoid such incidents.

She however commended FACAN for its contribution the progress of commodity marketing and export through their buyers-market forum stressed that individual association also must look for alternative source of revenue generation for better sustenance, promising that the ministry would be ready to support in this regards.

During the meeting, the contentious areas observed by members and the FACAN president were  reconciled  for better improvement and enhancement of relationship with the two actors for the progress of agricultural business and commercialization through value addition for commercial agricultural development.