The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, (CON) has assured of his
administration’s desire to partner with the Business Community in order to
transform the state.
Wike gave the assurance when he played host to representatives of Business
Community in the State comprising of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (PHACCIMA), Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) and the
Petroleum Technical Association of Nigeria in Government House, Port
Harcourt on Wednesday.
Governor Wike described the Business Community as key to the development
of the state -saying government will do everything within its powers to
guarantee a conducive environment for businesses to thrive and also
interface with them to transform the state.
“What is important is commitment”, Wike said. “The government has the
political will to create a conducive environment. If we want investment
to come into the state then we must fight crime”.
The Rivers State Governor also promised to address the problem of multiple
taxation, explaining that he would appoint a professional to man the State
Ministry of Commerce and Industry as a measure to check the menace.
He also promised to look into the problem of delayed issuance of
Certificate of Occupancy and other title documents, stressing that “this
will not only raise revenue for government but will enable business
community to raise funds”.
Wike reiterated his administration’s desire to partner with the federal
government to create conducive business climate, “our mandate is clear: to
make sure we improve the lives of the people and not to antagonize federal
government”.
The governor hinted that as part of his administration’s policy, there
will be regular meetings between the government and the business community
once every quarter, saying this will simultaneously build confidence and
also encourage economic growth and job creation.
Earlier, the representative of the business community and incoming
President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and
Agriculture, (PHACCIMA), Dr Emi Membere-Otaji said the visit is meant to
improve on the poor relationship between government and the business
community in the state.
Dr Member-Otaji expressed hope that the Wike-led administration will
collaborate with them as he commended him for hosting them despite the
short notice.
Outgoing President of PHACCIMA, Emeka Unachukwu commended the government
for making the economy its priority-lamenting that in the past so many
businesses and industries have left the state because of poor business
climate.
As the hub of oil industry and major port city in the country, he called
on the Wike’s administration to do all in its power to restore the
economic status of Rivers State.
Unachukwu suggested that government needs to roll out pragmatic programs
including the , eradication of multiple taxes and the strengthening of
public / private partnership as a way of ensuring business growth.
Engr.Unachukwu congratulated the governor on his policies so far.