President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry,
Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA, Chief Nabil Saleh, said his administration
would focus on a ten-point blueprint to give a new direction and provide the
needed value for sustained advancement of the chamber.
The PHCCIMA boss
gave the indication during the 61st inauguration dinner night of the new
President Exco and elected council members of PHCCIMA held at the L.A King
Hotel and Convention Centre in Port Harcourt.
He identified his
plans as; efforts in membership drive and creating of a helpdesk/
Research/Advisory and Desk for members; organizing workshops and seminars
quarterly to build capacity and stimulate businesses; internal and external
PHCCIMA networking; building of PHCCIMA Trade Fair Ground/Cluster parks and
laying foundation for a new PHCCIMA Complex; Intensified effort in development
of MSME’s and entrepreneurship groups and upgrading of PHCCIMA office and staff.
Others include
robust and cordial media relationship, regular budgeting and auditing to
entrench accountability and transparency and lastly to improve social
engagement as a way of relaxing and fostering friendly relationships.
Making his welcome
presentation, Chief Nabil Saleh stated that proper positioning of the chamber
to be more visible and business-oriented and to commence a set of new
revolutionary initiatives that would lift PHCCIMA to the status of the leading
Chamber among comity of Chamber of Commerce in the country, and to make Rivers
state the investment destination in the country, are part of his
administrations priority, adding that he would strive to work and act on behalf
of businesses in the state, region and country to foster economic development
and interact with Government at all levels.
Hear him: As we are
all aware, the Chamber recently conducted a free and fair election that birthed
new Excos & Council Elected, with me also emerging as the President.
Let me use this medium to once more state that my team &
I will work for the good and growth of PHCCIMA both with accountability and
transparency.
Let me once more
appreciate all PHCCIMA members, staff, inaugural committee, friends of the
Chamber and loved ones who have helped us get to the point we are today. He
expressed gratitude to the governor of Rivers state, Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo
Wike, for taking time off his busy schedule to ensure he is represented via the
Deputy Governor and assured that the chamber and government will continue to
consolidate on existing relationship, thanking NACCIMA and invited guests,
others for honoring the invite.
In his remark, the
Rivers state Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Speaking through His Deputy, Dr. (Mrs)
Ipalibo Harry Banigo congratulated the President of PHCCIMA Chief Nabil Saleh
and his team for the inauguration saying his Administration would continue to
execute quality projects that positively impact on the citizenry, he expressed
delight that Rivers State is now the destination for national and international
events. He said the state Government is delighted to be associated with
PHCCIMA, the organized private sector which according to him was part of the
strategy to provide an enabling environment for the growth of businesses. The
Governor who said Rivers State was mentioned recently as having received the
highest direct foreign investment in Nigeria attributed it to the political
will and commitment of his Administration to ensure the State remains safe and
secure for investors to operate.
According to
Governor Wike, multiple taxation which was the order of the day before the
advent of his Administration had been stopped through harmonization, noting
that issuance of Certificate of Occupancy is a lot easier now.
Elder Hyke Ocha who
spoke in behalf of past Presidents assured that they will support the new
administration to entrench peace, stability and unity of purpose to forge the
chamber ahead.
The representative
of the NACCIMA President and former President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce,
Chief Dele Oye (SAN) congratulated the new executives, saying PHCCIMA is
strategic to chamber movement in the country. He calls for focus and healthy
pursuit of the objective and to ensure that member businesses are positively
affected.
The highlight of
the event was the inauguration of the new exco, followed by dedication by the
Pastor of Recovery House Church, Pastor Ugochukwu Unachukwu, and the unveiling
of the 5th edition of Commerce Port Harcourt Magazine.
