Agriculture Lead Way To Rescue Nigeria From Economic Turmoil – PHCCIMA Boss
President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji has identified agriculture is the only lead way to rescue Nigeria from the present economic turmoil. This he said is achievable through aggressive farming to provide the needed raw materials that will usher in diversification of the various sectors of the Nigerian economy and provide millions of jobs to the populace.
The Port Harcourt Chamber boss made this assertion when he led PHCCIMA executives and elected council members on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture Rivers state, Mrs. Onimim Jack
He had used the visit to urge all levels of government and the organized private sector to think outside the box at this time when oil prices is constantly on the fall creating more challenges to Nigeria’s mono-economy of oil and gas, and resulting to huge unpaid invoices of jobs done, including imminent loss of employment in the sector.
Dr Membere-Otaji had congratulated the commissioner on her well deserved appointment as commissioner assuring her that the Agricultural and Allied trade group of the chamber led by Chief Mike Elechi is well positioned to partner with the ministry to harness the agricultural sector of the state.
Similarly he disclosed that the chamber is in the process of kick-starting publication of a PHCCIMA quarterly magazine known as ‘Commerce Port Harcourt’; the objective of the magazine according to him is to showcase the untapped agricultural and natural resources of the 23 LGA’s of the state. He said the magazine is a non-profit business support and networking platform seeking to inform and inspire brands to maximize local and international opportunities. “The quarterly publication would provide vital information on stimulation of the local economy, highlight potentials inherent and woo investors to Rivers state
He also assured the commissioner that fishing companies that fled to neighbouring states and country would be encouraged to return to provide enough fishes and employment to the people of the state.
In her response the Rivers state Agricultural Commissioner, Mrs. Onimim Jack had congratulated the Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji led administration for election into such an exalted position. She re-affirmed the focus of the Rivers state government on Agriculture and agricultural investment to provide food and make substantial cash as alternative to oil revenue.
She invited PHCCIMA members to partner with her ministry on Schools Pilot Agricultural Project and gave assurances that her ministry will facilitate support in the form of land allocation to PHCCIMA members interested in investing in commercial cultivation of arable government farms located in strategic areas of the state.
During the visit, the Rivers state Agricultural commissioner had also sought PHCCIMA’s collaboration in privatization of state owned agricultural programs, stressing that government will not be involved in direct business but will rather remain committed to providing conducive environment, land, access to loans for genuine investors.
Meanwhile efforts geared towards creating value for PHCCIMA members by Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji led executives received another boost with appointment of PHCCIMA Agriculture and Allied Trade Group chairman as member Rivers State Council of Agriculture, by the Agricultural commissioner.