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PHCCIMA Strengthens Ties With NDDC On SMEs’ Growth, Others
It was yet another milestone achievement as the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have strengthened their collaboration on the development of Micro, Small and Medium Scale (SMEs) businesses, trade missions and trade fair participation, among other things.
Speaking at the courtesy call on the Interim Management of NDDC in Port Harcourt, PHCCIMA President, Sir Mike Elechi, explained that PHCCIMA was the recognised leader of organised private sector in Rivers State, and one of the approved four premier Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria under the platform of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce.
He added that the chamber has the only approved international trade fair status, and also hosts the international trade fair, approved by the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment for the region.
According to him, “PHCCIMA’s main objective is to promote growth and development of business activities in a conducive environment in the state and Niger Delta region which could be realistic through partnership with government and private sector organisations to execute our people-oriented programmes and make businesses thrive in the state, hence our visit here today is hinged on the age-long recognition of the chamber to NDDC as an interventionist agency saddled with the responsibility of developing the people of the region”.
Elechi, who is also the CEO of Vintage Farms and Products Ltd, intimated the commission on some identified areas of partnership, including micro, small and medium scale business development, saying that the chamber consist of MSMEs, and SMEs representing all sectors of the national economy.
He said that it was for this reason that it was partnering with NDDC on the above development programme to serve as the needed catalyst in developing viable business ventures across all sectors within the region with huge availability of raw materials for small scale cottage industries in the region.
He maintained that youth entrepreneurship and capacity development programme will help in addressing youth restiveness in the region and mentioned that they had successfully collaborated with the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) in the past to deliver re-orientation and exhibition programme in Port Harcourt, adding that with their wealth of experience and partnering with NDDC would be focusing on human capital development with emphasis on entrepreneurship development to addressing restiveness and reducing unemployment rate.
The National Productivity award winner also added that trade missions participation is one of the major area they would like collaboration with the NDDC to accommodate and promote wider range of participation of government officials, captains of industry and community leaders to also widen their business horizon, even as he proposed to partner the commission in profiling and recommending qualified members across the region to access low interest and collateral free loan from the NDDC micro-finance bank to boost their various businesses.
Elechi further used the medium to woo the commission to participate on the December 6 to 20th Port Harcourt International Trade Fair, which according to him, has become a unique meeting point for Nigerian and foreign businesses policy makers, industrialists, manufacturers, suppliers as well as offering opportunities for investment and trade promotion.
In his response, the Interim Administrator of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Effiong Okon Akwa, thanked the PHCCIMA president and his team on their programmes which are targeted at the development of the Niger Delta region.
He maintained that NDDC was a corporate member of PHCCIMA, and has had representative at the chamber’s events in the time past, just as he used the visit to announce the renewal of the NDDC membership commitment as well as desire to participate in the forthcoming Port Harcourt International Trade Fair and exhibitions.
The NDDC boss promised to partner with PHCCIMA in all their request, including youth entrepreneurship and capacity building, trade missions participation and growth of SMEs, positing that SMEs plays important role in the development of the economy, even as he noted that government cannot employ all the labour whereas SMEs are the highest employer of labour to take away the heat from the government.
The event, which took place at the Conference Hall of the NDDC Headquarters, had in attendance the PHCCIMA President, Sir Mike Elechi, the 2nd Deputy President, Hon. Charles Beke; Treasurer, Surveyor Emmanuel Ogbonda; Publicity Secretary, Pastor Uche Onochie; Elected Council member and Chairman of Trade Missions Desk, Mrs. Florence Nwosibe; Chairman, Economic and Commercial Trade Group, Dr. Maraizu Uche; Chairman, Power and Energy Trade Group, Engr. Tony Nwogbo; the Director General, and Mr. Erasmus Chukunda.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.