10th June, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike, has assured of his administration’s desire to partner with the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government and business community in order to transform the state.
Wike assured that the his administration has a clear mandate to improve the lives of Rivers people by creating a conducive environment for business to thrive in partnership with the federal government.
Wike gave the assurance when he hosted 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.
He 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, adding that, “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”.
He 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 said he will address 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.