The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) has again inducted another set of new members into the organisation as well as unveiled a compendium of the activities of the chamber since its incorporation and Rivers State Investor’s Guide.
In his speech, President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Sir Mike Elechi, expressed satisfaction that his vision of running an all-inclusive administration was yielding positive results, as the monthly general forum of the chamber has continued to gather momentum, saying that the forum gives members opportunities to interface with one another, exchange business ideas and make new friends while networking.
The chamber president, who is the managing director of Vintage Farms and Product, said that August in retrospect was loaded with so many activities, including the well-attended ‘POWER-TO-POWER’ business summit that was held at the Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt where major stakeholders and eminent personalities from all walks of live participated in the event.
He used the medium to commend the Chairman of Power and Energy Trade Group of the chamber, Engr. Tony Nwogbo-led committee for the success of the event, adding that within the month under review, the chamber acquired a new 30KVA Generator to power its operations, and also received a high-powered delegation led by the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Stanislas Kamanzi, where robust business ideas were discussed and the chamber secured an opportunity to lead a delegation of 50 members on a trade mission to Rwanda.
In his induction speech, Elechi charged the new members to see their induction as not only an opportunity to widen the scope of their businesses but also make contributions by attracting investors for the even development of Rivers State, adding that the copy of the compendium which chronicled activities of the chamber would serve as a guide to anyone doing business and those wishing to do business in Rivers State.
Speaking on the topic; ‘the role of non-oil Export in Economic Development in the South-South region, the Regional Coordinator of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Joe Itah, called for diversification into the non-oil export sector to save the country from imminent collapse, saying that Nigeria as a country was naturally blessed with abundant potentials apart from the crude oil and gas.
He expressed the hope that talking with PHCCIMA which was the leader of the organised private sector in Rivers State remained the best opportunity for the required attention.
He maintained that NEPC was constitutionally empowered with the responsibilities of coordinating, regulating and encouraging business owners to register their businesses and export their products to earn the much needed foreign exchange.
The NEPC regional coordinator further hinted that their organisation has assisted some small scale business owners that were affected during the COVID-19 era to return to business.
Highpoint of the August members’ monthly general forum at the chamber’s Secretariat, Aba Road in Port Harcourt, was the unveiling and lunching of the PHCCIMA’s compendium.
Other key members of the chamber in attendance were the Exco members who presented membership certificates to the newly inducted members in turns, the 2nd Deputy President, Hon. Prince Charles Osimibeke; Treasurer, Surveyor Emmanuel Ogbonda; Financial Secretary, Sir Dan Harrison;and Members Welfare Secretary, Engr. Godwin Etim.
Past President, Engr. EmekaUnachukwu, performed the swearing in of the new members and presented the chamber plaque of recognition to the NEPC Regional Coordinator Mr. Joe Itah.
The Director of Commerce and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Emmanuel Nwankwo, also took his turn to present membership certificate to new member.
Others present at the event were Director and representative of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Collins Nathaniel;state Coordinator of Nigerian Raw Materials Research and Development Council, Mrs.ObyAgbam; South-South Regional Coordinator, Nigerian Shippers Council, Chief Glory Onojedo;elected council members, Mr.OkeyOdu; and Chief EmekaEzekwe; various trade group chairmen; former publicity secretaries of the chamber, PastorOluwatoyinAlabiof The Promise Fast Foods; and Dr. Mercy Abu; as well as distinguished members, guests, pressmen, the Director General,Mr. Erasmus Chukunda; and staff of the chamber.