Stakeholder Wants RSG To Retire 25% Workforce

A recommendation for the retirement of 25 per cent of Civil Servants in Rivers State has been made to ensure progressive development.
Chairman, Nigeria-South Africa Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Foluso Philips, gave this recommendation at the First Business Luncheon, organised by Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), which held at Obi Wali International Conference Centre on Thursday.
Philips, stated that 25 per cent of civil servants should be retired to give way to the younger work force, as a way of reducing the number of young persons roaming the streets.
He reasoned that if the state, which he described as the oil and gas capital of the nation must restrategise beyond oil, the older civil servants must necessarily step aside for their younger children, who are more vibrant, energetic, innovative and productive.
Philips, who gave the key note speech on the theme, Business Opportunities in Nigeria-Beyond Oil, also said, “We need to pay attention to other investment opportunities, which he said can be private sector-driven, saying that to succeed in moving the economy beyond oil, infrastructural development is fundamental and must be addressed by government.
In his address, the special guest of honour, Governor Nyesom Wike, represented by his deputy Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, said the state had put together parameters to ensure a friendly investment environment to ease doing business in the state.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the government on Investment, Mr. Isaac Okemini, called for investors to make Rivers State their first port of call when considering where to do business in Nigeria, saying the state was an investment haven.
He explained that the state had 55 per cent youthful population, which he said was an assurance for productivity and that the state now has an investment conscious administration which had put in place a Tax Appeal Commission to eradicate multiple taxation.
On his part, the President of PHCCIMA, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, thanked the participants at the luncheon and stated that the aim of the luncheon, which he said was a quarterly one, was to bring together stakeholders to address key issues that would improve the nation’s economy.
Highpoint of the luncheon was the unveiling and distribution of the first edition of the Chamber’s Magazine, Commerce Port Harcourt, which the President said has no cover price and would be distributed free even beyond the stories of Nigeria.

Tonye Nria-Dappa