By THE Honourable Commissioner for Business, Trade and Investment (MBTI), Mr Omoh Anabor, has said that the SHINE Agenda of the Senator Monday Okpebholo–led administration is all-encompassing and that cooperative societies in Edo State will not be left out of the government’s development drive.
Mr Anabor made this known while receiving members of the Edo Cooperatives Federation (ECF) in his office.
FROM LEFT – Mrs. Anthonia Azeke, (Director, Trade Promotions), Ojo Filani, President, ECF, Honourable Omoh Anabor (Commissioner), Mrs. Efeomo Enoma (Head Cooperatives) Andrew Imade, Esekhaigbe Aminu, Ogiesoba Clifford, Lady Philomena Ukhueleigbe, JP.
He explained that part of his mandate is to revive and reposition cooperative societies across the state to ensure they serve their members effectively and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
The Commissioner decried situations where cooperative members, after making sacrificial savings over time, are unable to access their funds when needed.
He described such practices as callous and warned that any cooperative executive found to be involved in the mismanagement of members’ funds would face the full weight of the law.
He called for stronger synergy between the Edo Cooperatives Federation and the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment, stressing that the cooperative process must remain sacrosanct.
According to him, elections within cooperatives must be credible, transparent and fair.
Mr Anabor further assured the Federation of the state government’s commitment to ensuring the viability and sustainability of cooperative societies in Edo State.
Earlier, the President of the Edo Cooperatives Federation, Mr Ojo Filani, commended the Honourable Commissioner for his humility and open-door policy, thanking him for granting the delegation an audience despite being new in office.
Mr Filani highlighted several challenges facing the Federation, noting that many cooperative societies in the state have been left to struggle, contrary to the original purpose of cooperatives.
He said that despite these challenges, cooperatives in Edo State continue to contribute to societal development, albeit quietly.
He further observed that cooperative societies in states such as Lagos, Ogun and Osun have access to loans and grants through their respective state governments, and questioned why the situation appears different in Edo State.
On her part, Lady Phil Ukhueleigbe (JP), Secretary of the Edo Cooperatives Federation and Secretary of the Oredo Local Government Council Cooperative Society, decried the non-remittance of cooperative dues.
She lamented that despite a court judgment ordering that such dues be remitted without fail, political interference has hindered compliance.
She added that the judgment was only obeyed for a short period, a development she said has negatively affected the operations of cooperative societies.
Responding, Mr Anabor assured the delegation that all their concerns would be carefully examined and addressed.
He reiterated that the SHINE Agenda of Senator Monday Okpebholo is already gaining traction across the state, as evidenced by the administration’s ongoing developmental strides.
Other members of the Edo Cooperatives Federation present at the meeting included Andrew Imade, Esekhaigbe Aminu, Ogiesoba Clifford and Sedenu Mohammed.
Management staff of the Ministry of Business, Trade and Investment in attendance included the Director of Trade Promotion, Mrs Anthonia Azeke; Director of Media and Publicity, Mrs Betty Idialu; Head of the Cooperatives Department, Mrs Efeomo Enoma; the Commissioner’s Personal Assistant, Engineer Donald; and Mr Honesty Idako of the Business Premises Department.
