ASSOTEL BUILDING, No. 85B Aba Road, Garrison Bus-Stop,
Port Harcourt, Rivers State
The President of Port Harcourt Chamber of
Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) Eze, Sir Mike Elechi, JP
has advocated for the urgent need on the diversification from the total
dependent on crude oil to the practice of non oil economy for the survival of
the country.
He made the statement while addressing the
monthly members general meeting of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry,
Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) at it's state Secretariat in Port Harcourt on
Wednesday 27th April, saying that over dependents on oil has caused a lot of
damages to the Nigerian economy and has impoverished it's citizenry.
The PHCCIMA President who is a recipient of
National Productivity Order of Merit award noted that Agriculture was the
corner stone of Nigerian economy before the discovery of oil crude oil in
commercial quantity, positing that a seed of palm kernel exported from Rivers
State, Nigeria to Malaysia turned around the fortunes of the country and yet
the drivers of Nigerian economy are yet to wake up from their slumbers,
positing that the Agriculture and the growth of SMEs are the best way to having
a viable economy for the survival of the country.
Eze Elechi while encouraging new members
during the forum explained that " one of the three broad objectives of his
Administration is to grow and expand the membership strength of the Chamber,
therefore the gathering of many reputable members, guests and federal &
state government agencies in this month's forum is a testimony that PHCCIMA is
growing and expanding progressively as his administration is already achieving
its objectives, he said "we are welcoming and inducting these quality
persons representing various companies of repute from different sectors across
the state into our premier and prestigious Chamber as PHCCIMA, since it's
establishment about 63 years ago has being meeting her objectives and is
completely committed to meeting the interest of members by helping them grow
and diversify their businesses". He also stated that "PHCCIMA
as the umbrella body of the business community in Rivers State is ensuring
implementation of good policies by Rivers State government which are geared
towards ease of doing business in the state thereby promoting Public and
private sectors partnership to improve the socio-economic well-being of the
people of the state." The Entrepreneur further hinted that
PHCCIMA is dedicated to uphold the laws of the federal republic of Nigeria,
Rivers State government as well as the Constitution of PHCCIMA and charged the
new members to uphold the Chamber code of ethics, operate within ambits of
the laws and respect the Constitutions.
In their separate presentations, the
representatives of Wema Bank Plc, First Bank Plc and Nigerian Export Promotion
Council called for partnership with PHCCIMA members in order to promote their
individual businesses.
They urged the business community to diversify
into non oil economy and laid more emphasis on driving export growth, Export
analysis, Business advisory non-financial services, strategic partnership,
financial products, given out loans devoid of administrative bottle neck among
other things.
High points of the monthly general forum were
the presentation of souvenirs to the presenters and membership certificates to
the Chamber new members by the Chamber past Presidents, Dr. Elder Hyke Ochia,
Dr. Prince Sotubo Billy Gills-Harry and Dr. Emeka Unachukwu who are all
Honorary Life Vice Presidents of PHCCIMA.
In attendance also includes the Chamber
President, Eze, Sir Mike Elechi, JP, 1st Deputy President Dr. Chinyere Nwoga,
2nd Deputy President Hon. Prince Charles Beke, Treasurer Surveyor
Emmanuel Ogbonda, Publicity Secretary Pastor Uche Onochie, Elected Council
members Mr. Okey Odu, Chief Emeka Ezekwe and Mrs. Florence Nwosibe, Dr. Mechi
Brown Director of Industry and representative of the Hon.
Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Kobo Evelyn Representative of the
Regional Coordinator South South Regional office in Port Harcourt, Mrs.
Oby Agbaim State Coordinator Raw Materials Research and Development Council,
Mrs. Emi Jameson Director of Administration Rivers State Newspaper
Corporation the representative of the General Manager, Rivers State
Manager Technology Incubation Centre, Chairmen of various Chamber Trade Groups,
distinguished members and Mr. Erasmus Chukunda the Director General, the
Keynote presenters are Wema Bank Plc Head of SMEs Banking Mr. Arthur
Nkemeh and the First Bank Plc Head of Export Desk Mrs. Efua Gbadamosi.
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