MATAN appeals to FG to extend intervention programmes to traders

The Market Traders Association of Nigeria (MATAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to extend ‘Trader moni’ programme and other interventions to accomodate more petty traders.

Dr Sadiq Auwalu, the National Publicity Secretary of the association, made this call in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

Auwalu disclosed that the President of the association, Alhaji Jamilu Abbas, made the appeal when he paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Adeniyi Adebayo, in Abuja.

Abbas, who was represented by Hajiya Yesmin Dawaki, the Zonal Vice President North Central, lauded President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for various schemes initiated to boost businesses.

He urged the Federal Government to expand the programme to accomodate more members of the association because of the current economic challenges .

“We came to identify with you because of importance of your ministry to the economic development of our dear nation.

“We are committed and determined to collaborate and synergise with you to improve trade and investment thereby boosting the economy of the country,” he said.

The president also enjoined the federal government to grant waivers on imported agricultural equipment, machineries and seeds, among others, to help to achieve food security in the country.

The statement also quoted Adebayo as pledging to work with the association to help pull so many Nigerians out of poverty.

The minister said the present administration had various programmes meant at taking 100 million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years.

Adebayo also expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with MATAN to train and educate the members of the association on the needed requirements for them to benefit from such programmes.