The leaderships of the Raw Materials Research Development Council (RMRDC) and the Nasarawa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NASCCIMA) and other stakeholders have been called to offer suggestions to the government of Nasarawa State on how to improve the lot of the citizenry.

The state commissioner for commerce, industries and co-operatives, Alhaji Yusuf Abdullahi Loko, made the call when the officials of NASSCIMA and RMRDC paid him separate visits in his office in Lafia.

He assured the two bodies of the state government’s resolve to work in partnership with the private sector and other stakeholders towards realizing the government’s 13-point agenda.

The commissioner particularly challenged the new leadership of NASCCIMA to articulate sincere and purposeful programmes and policies that would strengthen the activities of the Nasarawa State chamber of commerce, industries, mines and agriculture.

Alhaji Loko urged the two bodies to work closely with his ministry so as to adopt a common approach in the efforts aimed at improving the economic fortunes of the state and its people.

He said that already, the state governor, Alhaji Aliyu Akwe Doma has approved the immediate fencing of the state’s trade fair site.

In his remarks, the newly elected president of NASCCIMA in the state, Alhaji Ibrahim Safiyanu commended the pragmatic steps taken by the commissioner to move the ministry forward.

He called for the resuscitation of the joint domestic trade fair with the neighbouring states of Plateau, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory with a view to strengthening economic ties between the states and the FCT, Abuja.

In his remark, the state coordinator of RMRDC, Mr. Wale Joseph expressed concern over the absence of research-based industries leading to the under utilization of the abundant raw materials in the state.

He was, however, hopeful that the steps taken by the commerce and industry ministry to explore more areas of cooperation with other stakeholder in the state would eventually lead to a boost in commercial and economic activities.

In another development, the Nasarawa State Government has re-stated its commitment to the socio-economic integration of the disabled persons through careful implementation of social welfare policies.

Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma gave the assurance in Lafia, last week, at the celebration of Nasarawa State Day for the disabled.

He said government has designed policies and programmes aimed at improving the conditions of the disabled persons.

The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Timothy Anjide said, government has offered automatic scholarships to all disabled persons in the state schooling in higher institutions of learning.

He enjoined all and sundry to give the disabled all the necessary support, noting that “with care and support from all of us, their disability will no longer be inability to be productive”.

Earlier, the commissioner for women affairs, youth and social development, Malam Auna Musa Naloko, said the day was set aside to sensitize the public about the problems confronting persons with disability.

Malam Naloko, however, reiterated government’s resolve to improve the situation of the disabled through “the provision of social welfare packages”.

In her speech, chairman of Nasarawa State Joint Association of Disabled Persons, Mrs. Sarah Kaura, commended the exemplary leadership of governor Doma.

She applauded the state government’s effort in caring for the disabled, calling on other philanthropic individuals to emulate the gesture.