King Alfred Diete Spiff the first Military Governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass in Bayelsa State, has called on genuine business tycoons operating in the state to register with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA).
King Spiff made the call while addressing traders and members of PHCCIMA during the opening ceremony of the 8th Port Harcourt International Trade fair at the Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt.
According to him, this became necessary to authenticate them as business men and women as well as contribute and enhance the economic growth of the state.
King Spiff, who expressed satisfaction that Rivers State has been given the go ahead to stage a trade fair by the federal government, recalled that the former federal government had directed only Lagos, Abuja and later Enugu to state host fairs in their states.
According to him, despite the move by the Rivers State government to stage a trade fair, at first, it was not a success. “I feel impressed that it has come to pass as the state has organized its 8th Trade Fair today”, he said.
In his words, “every businessman and woman, be a musician, thinker, traders, among others, should join hands and register their business with the PHACCIMA in the state to enhance the economy of the state”.
King Spiff, who expressed worry over the flood which ravaged some countries in the state and federation, urged people of the state to be their brothers’ keepers by donating relief materials and food items to the victims.
He frowned at the gas flowing which has caused havoc in some communities and deformed on some children, urged the federal government to ensure that the money given to the affected communities is not diverted and that it gets to the affected victims.
Earlier in his speech, the president of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu noted that the recognition of an ordinary assembly of traders, herbalists and small scale farmers in a world class meeting of global brands in a revitalized meeting has become an international trade fair which has recognized trade as a key driver for economic growth in the nation and realization of the nation’s 2020 project.
According to him, the Port Harcourt trade fair has been a major catalyst in the development our domestic trade and pivotal in promoting international trade, revealing that this year’s theme of the Port Harcourt trade fair is: “Accelerating local content development through investment in small and medium scale industries, in line with our core mandate as trade promoters”.
He commended all exhibitors who have been faithful to the PHCCIMA as well as supporting growth through regular participation over the years as well as those who supported the PHCCIMA in one way or the other.
In his speech, the former president of PHCCIMA, Engr. Vincent Furo, urged all businessmen and women to identify with the new executive and support them to pilot the affair successfully and thanked total Nigeria Company and others who have been supportive to the organization.
Also in his speech, Elder Okechukwu Akara, the State House of Assembly Committee chairman on Commerce and Industry, while congratulating the newly inaugurated executive of PHCCIMA, described the occasion as unique as it aimed at “diversifying our economy,” adding that the trade fair would encourage youths for business, assuring that the state House of Assembly will partner with PHCCIMA to ensure economic growth in the state. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
