The President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Eze Sir Mike Elechi, has described Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as a critical stakeholder in the survival of the Nigerian economy.
Elechi, who stated this when he led a delegation of PHCCIMA on a familiarisation and courtesy visit to the management of Rivers Port, said they were at the Ports Authority to familiarise themselves with the new management with the understanding that most members of the Chamber do their businesses around the Port.
The PHCCIMA President told the NPA magement that Port Harcourt is now a centre for International Trade Fair and Exhibitions, approved by the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.
He, therefore, sought the collaboration and participation of the Authority during the 2022 PortHarcourt International Trade Fair and Exhibitions, which, according to him, “will be a good avenue for the Authority to showcase its services, and to let the people know that full business activities are back in Rivers Port”.
He stated that the visit would also afford them the opportunity to renew the membership of NPA to the Chamber, saying that in the course of carrying out their day-to-day activities, there could be need for assistance where necessary.
Responding, the Rivers Port Manager, Adamu Michael, also described PHCCIMA as “a team of heavy weight businesses” that make Rivers State thick with investment.
While noting that NPA houses the Nigerian economy, he assured that the Authority would always play along with business investors, traders and every aspect of businesses that would add value to the economy.
“Port can’t survive without your group. Your partnership with us will go a long way to improve trade relationship in Nigerian economy and ease of doing business.
“NPA has introduced light billing, which has improved efficiency in providing services to all investors. Do not hesitate to reach out to us on any information.
”Our tariff and charges through our various platforms, including our website, is no longer business as usual. We have blocked all loopholes and revenue leakagies.
“Nigeria is import dependant and we are trying to see how we can encourage export. Feel free and reach us if you have anything to export”, he said.

By: Ike Wigodo

A renowned cleric in Rivers State, Pastor Abraham Omoregie, has attributed the rise in social ills involving children and teenagers in Nigeria to poor parenting.
Speaking with The Tide recently in Port Harcourt on the 2023 general elections and the place of youths, Omoregie tasked parents and guardians to pay more attention to activities and issues concerning the upbringing of their children and wards.
He said corrupted parenting is why there are many cases of children engaging in various forms of social vices.
In his words, “the various negative news about children demands that parents pay attention to their children more than ever before”.
Pastor Omoregie, the General overseer of “Oasis of True Life Ministries,” prayed for a better country and a peaceful Rivers State where all live and work together in harmony.
Imploring all Christians and Muslims not to forget the lessons learnt during the Easter, he urged them period, to sustain the good works of Jesus Christ and carry it out in their lifetime.
“As we bask in the euphoria of this sacred celebration, it is also important to seize the opportunity of this spiritual exercise to admonish our children and youths to shun all ungodly, immoral and bestial acts.
“As parents and guardians too, we must lead by example and place closer attention to the totality of what concerns our children and wards.
“It is okay to intrude into their privacy and ensure that we guide them on the right path”, he said.

By: Theresa Frederick

The National Coordinator of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Opobo Clan, Hon. Ibitamuno Cookey-Gam, has expressed confidence that the former Accountant-General (AG) of Rivers State, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara, will lead all the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to victory in the forthcoming general elections in the State, next year.
Speaking with The Tide recently in Port Harcourt, Cookey-Gam stated that his antecedents in areas he has served the State stood him out as the most suitable person for the position of Governor in 2023.
Fubara had previously served the State in various capacities, including as Director of Finance, Government House, and Permanent Secretary, before becoming the Accountant-General of the State.
According to Cookey-Gam, “if he (Fubara) had not served meritoriously, he wouldn’t have been promoted to a very serious position as Accountant-General of the State”.
While calling for peace ahead of the 2023 elections in the State, he urged political parties and politicians to avoid stoking crisis ahead of the polls, saying that “we need peaceful electoral process in Rivers State.
“This is democracy. You tell the people what you will do for them; Sell your programmes to the electorate. Anybody that is planning any evil for our state, God will not allow that happen”, he said.
While assuring the former AG of the support of the IYC, Cookey-Gam made a case for the Ijaws in Rivers State, saying it is their turn to occupy the governorship position in the State.
“We should allow Rivers Ijaw people to produce the next governor, it is the turn of Rivers Ijaw people”, he said.

By: Bethel Toby