Okafor
Ofiebor
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.
Culled
from www.pmnewsnigeria.com
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