PHCCIMA, NCS Synergise To Boost Trade, Investments In Rivers

The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have agreed to synergise to remove obstacles to boost trade and investments in Rivers State.
The deal was reached when a PHCCIMA delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Comptroller of Nigerian Custom Service, Area 1, Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking at the event, the leader of the delegation and the President, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Sir Mike Elechi, explained that they were at the Area 1 Command of the Customs Service to synergise with the Federal Government agency on how to work together, acknowledging the fact that they are the gate keepers of the country as it concerns trade in goods and services.
Elechi maintained that members of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce were the facilitators of international trade, importing and exporting of goods and services around the port, hence their visit to familiarise and synergise with the management on how to work together for not only the benefit of their members but also for the overall interest of the country.
He further explained that they are part of National Chamber movement with responsibilities of overseeing movement of goods and services in alliance with the Customs against the import of substandard goods and other sharp practices in the country just as he frowned at the situation where some business owners play pranks on the signing of Certificates of Origin, and pleaded with the comptroller for more collaborations.
The National Productivity Order of Merit award winner also intimated the comptroller that PHCCIMA runs an international trade fair and exhibitions, which is also an opportunity for the Customs and other Federal Government agencies to participate and showcase their services.
In his response, the chief host and the Comptroller of Customs, Area 1 Command, Port Harcourt, I.A. Mohammed, expressed joy to have received the cream of business owners in Port Harcourt, he went into memory lane on the core mandate of the agency as it concerns movement of goods and services in the ancient port.
While promising to implement the request of PHCCIMA president in working together to achieving the expected development at the exit point of country, he urged the business owners and stakeholders through the PHCCIMA to do that which is just and right as always.
In his vote of thanks, PHCCIMA 2nd Deputy President, Prince Charles Beke, on behalf of the president, executive council and entire members of the chamber, thanked the comptroller for his warm reception, and extended invitation to him for more robust interaction with entire members of the chamber.
Highlights of the visit were presentation of souvenirs by both leaders and exchange of business cards.
Other executiveofficers of the chamber on the president’s entourage were the Treasurer, Surveyor Emmanuel Ogbonda; Financial Secretary, Sir Dan Harrison; Chairman of Professional Services and General Consultancy Trade Group, Dr. Innocent Akuvue; Chairman of Agriculture and Agro-Allied Services Trade Group, Mrs. Vivian Segun-John; the Director General, Mr. Erasmus Chukunda; and press crew from Radio Rivers, Chamber Secretariat and corps members.