PHCCIMA new management unveils 10-point blueprint

The President, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA, Chief Nabil Saleh, said his administration would focus on a 10-point blueprint to give a new direction, and provide the needed value for sustained advancement of the Chamber.

Saleh gave the indication last week during the 61st inauguration dinner night of the new executives, and elected council members of PHCCIMA, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He identified his plans as; efforts in membership drive and creating a helpdesk/Research/Advisory and Desk for members; organising workshops and seminars quarterly, to build capacity and stimulate businesses; and internal and external PHCCIMA networking.

Others are building of PHCCIMA Trade Fair Ground/Cluster parks, and laying foundation for a new PHCCIMA Complex; Intensify efforts in developing MSMEs and entrepreneurship groups, and upgrading PHCCIMA office and staff.

The new Exco will also focus on robust and cordial media relationship, regular budgeting and auditing to entrench accountability and transparency, and to improve social engagement as a way of relaxing and fostering friendly relationships.

In his welcome address, Saleh said management will seek 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 Nigeria.He also aims to make Rivers State the investment destination in the country, 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.

Responding, the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, represented by his Deputy, Dr.(Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, congratulated 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, while expressing delight to be associated with PHCCIMA, the organised private sector, which according to him, is part of the strategy to provide an enabling environment for the growth of businesses.

The Governor, who said Rivers State was recently rated 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 Wike, multiple taxes, which were the order of the day before his administration, had been stopped through harmonisation, noting that the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy is a lot easier now.

Speaking on behalf of past presidents, Elder Hyke Ocha, assured that they will support the Saleh administration to entrench peace, stability and unity of purpose to forge the Chamber ahead.

Representative of the NACCIMA President, and former President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce, Chief Dele Oye, congratulated the new executives, saying PHCCIMA is strategic to chamber movement in Nigeria. He calls for focus and healthy pursuit of set objectives, and to ensure that member businesses are positively affected.