ABUJA – Some exhibitors at the 2nd edition of Made-in-Aba Trade Fair on Thursday expressed dissatisfaction over the level of patronage of they had enjoyed.
The week-long trade fair, which started on Monday, was formally declared open on Thursday as a result of the two-day Eid-el-Kabir public holiday.
An exhibitor, Mrs Anne Ochieze, a seamstress, said that patronage at the fair had been `very disappointing’.
She said that it was unfortunate that after all the hard work to participate in the fair there seemed to be little to show for it.
“We have not done anything since Monday that we came here. This fair was not well publicised and that is why it is this way. [eap_ad_2] “We are waiting for Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe, the promoter of the fair, and his entourage to come and surprise us because nothing has happened. We all are very unhappy,” she said.
Ochieze said it was not true that the low patronage was a reflection of the public impression about Aba made products.
She said the time had gone when products manufactured in Aba were considered inferior to imported ones.
“That was then; now our products can compete with foreign products. Most of our shirts have more quality than the foreign ones.
“Despite the fact that we are using local machines and our financial challenges, we are not doing badly.
“All we need is support from the government and patronage from Nigerians” Ochieze said.
Another exhibitor, Mrs Chinenye. Alfred, however, commended Abaribe for organisinig the fair.
“I really thank our senator. He has brought us here to showcase our products and also to make contacts that can help our businesses in future.
“As he is trying his best, let the government also assist us in Aba. We have bad roads and electricity which we need to do our work is not there.
“The bad road is really a problem because when you meet people who want to do business with you and there is no way they can come to you, they will go to better places like Onistha,” Alfred said.
She appealed to the government to assist entrepreneurs with loans to enable them to buy equipment and raw materials for their businesses. (NAN) [eap_ad_3]
