ONICCIMA leadership urges collaboration to revitalise Onitsha commercial, industrial hub

The Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) has called for collaborations to revitslise Onitsha commercial city as an industrial hub of the South East.

Chinedu Nwonu, President of the Chamber, made the call on Wednesday at his investiture and inauguration of the 2025-2027 council in Onitsha, Anambra state.

Nwonu, who assured unwavering commitment to service as the 16th president of the chamber in a chosen theme “Revitalising Onitsha as the Commercial and Industrial hub of the South East”, said it is intentional, deliberate and clarion call to action.

“For generations, Onitsha has stood as the heartbeat of commerce and industry in the South East of Nigeria and one of Africa’s famous greatest trading cities.

“From the famous Main Market and 20 other independent open markets to the industrial estates, our city has been a symbol of entrepreneurship, resilience, and opportunity. Added to this is the logistics prowess of which Onitsha is known for in Nigeria and in West Africa travel space,” he said.

Acknowledging the declined competitiveness in Onitsha, Nwosu decried poor infrastructure, insecurity, flooding, inadequate power leading to high operating costs, multiple taxation, harassment of visitors and investors at the head-bridge ene.

Also industrial expansion, inadequate access to finance, and insufficient investment in modern logistics infrastructure have slowed down progress of the commercial city.

“I believe the answer lies in collaboration rather than competition, innovation rather than complacency, and strategic action rather than rhetoric,” Nwonu explained.

He, however, presented a vision built around seven strategic pollars for solution which included repositioning ONICCIMA as voice of the business community and reviving industrial growth.

Others are transforming Onitsha into an investment destination, empowering small and medium enterprises (SMES), building modern business ecosystem, developing the next generation of entrepreneurs and building strategic partnership.

“Revitalizing Onitsha is not the responsibility of government alone or the responsibility of ONICCIMA. It is our collective responsibility. Every trader, manufacturer, banker, transporter, entrepreneur, investor, professional, and public servant, all have a role to play,” he stated.

While commending past leaderships’ achievements, he appealed for financial support to complete its permanent site construction for which over N200 million has been spent since 2020 and required N50 million more to complete.