Rivers State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Chuma Chinye has called cooperative societies in the State to create long term security for members and also create job opportunities for the unemployed youths. Mr. Chinye made the call during the celebration of the 19th United Nations International Day of Co-operative by the Rivers Cooperative Movement in Port Harcourt recently. The annual celebration which has as its theme ”Co-operative Enterprises remains strong in times of crises” is designed to draw the attention of the International community, including Government and Non-Government Agencies and all stakeholders to the relevance of cooperatives in the Political and Economic Development of various countries.
Mr. Chinye pointed out that cooperative form of business is a very powerful force in social-economic, political and technological development of the State, urged the cooperative Federation to always position their organization for future sustainability. The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Cooperative in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Ima Otu, said Rivers Microfinance Agency (RIMA) was initiated to fast-track small and medium business development.
He pointed out that (RIMA) provides loans to more than seven thousand indigenes of the State, and called for a concerted action from the cooperative movement for sustainability. Mr. Chinye said the Ministry of Commerce and Industry is ensuring that all cooperative societies are registered, noting that training and development workshops will be organized to provide managerial and technical skills for members. Earlier, in his welcome address, the President Rivers Co-operative Federation Limited, Elder Michael Chinwo appealed to the State Government to appoint a Special Adviser on Cooperative matters.
The President also called on Government and Cooperative societies to adequately utilize the Cooperative Movement as a Channel of Economic Empowerment and Social development. Elder Chinwo, pointed out that the new Board of the Rivers Cooperative Federation has opened export channel for plantains flour hand other Agro-Allied products. He enumerated some of the problems facing the organization as ignorance on the part of some Co-operative Society members and lack of fund and therefore called on all co-operative societies to work as a team to achieve sets goals.
In his paper presentation, Elder Christian Ellah said co-operative business model is the best response to Global Economic crises also warned entrepreneurs to seek a stable business environment for investment. Highlight of this year’s celebration was the inspection of various products been exhibited, including, pig, chicken, fish and different fertilizers like AG Zymes supergrow and fish Zymes for massive food production, groundnuts, star fruits among others.
