By Lucky Ebido
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines And Agriculture (YECCIMA) has conducted her 5th Investiture Ceremony with Chief Noble Akenge, FNES, JP, Egegba of Yenagoa as President at the Professor Steve Azaiki Library along Imgbi Road in Yenagoa and also played host to the Coalition of South-South Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
In his welcome address, the outgoing president of YECCIMA, Chief James Neminebor, FCNA, Ph.D., represented by the Chairperson Steering Committee, Mrs. Doubra Ofoni said that his immediate challenge when he assumed office was to get a befitting office and pay off financial obligations to NACCIMA and COSSCCIMA in order to give the chamber credibility to operate.
He informed that with the support of members he repositioned all the offices of the chamber to meet the vision and mission of promoting and mobilizing the business community in the state and affiliate bodies in the Niger Delta which he stated boosted the economy of states
Chief Neminebor informed that a major high point of his tenure was the establishment and launching of YECCIMA Multi-purpose Cooperative Society as a measure to boost the financial capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the state through the provision of loans and other financial services saying that YECCIMA is an active member of South South Chamber of Commerce and Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines And Agriculture.
Speaking as Special Guest of Honor, Governor Douye Diri, who was represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Ebieri Jones hinted that the Bayelsa State Government led by Governor Douye Diri is committed to diversity the economy, stressing that over 40 million micro- small scale businesses contribute 40% of GDP in the country. He said government is de-emphasizing people looking for political appointments which he noted can not sustain livelihood but encourage them to go into business and assured the state government is creating infrastructure for business to thrive such as the construction of the three Senatorial District roads, establishment of Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency, Bureau of Cooperative Development, Microfinance Bank and other measures to support business growth.
Also speaking in his capacity as Commissioner, Dr. Ebieri Jones task YECCIMA to be a voice and advocate for the growth of the private sector by organizing trade fairs, business summit, develop business directory sector by sector for government to formulate policies.
He informed that the State Government is collaborating with the Bank of Industry to pay its counterpart funds of 2bn of the 4bn earmarked to enable the Bank of Industry to open a branch in the state and create jobs. He emphasized that the government will continue to discourage portfolio businessmen.
Dr. Ebieri Jones hinted that loans up to 50m naira will be given on single digit to SMEs payable in three years, assuring that government has harmonized taxes to avoid double taxation and advised entrepreneurs to collaborate with his ministry for sustainable growth.
Earlier Chairman of the Investiture Ceremony, Professor Steve Azaiki, an Honorary Life Council Member of COSSCCIMA, represented by Professor Barclays Foubiri Ayokoroma, Deputy Vice Chancellor University of Africa, Toru-Orua while declaring the ceremony open noted that people have not felt the impact of YECCIMA like PHACCIMA, LACCIMA and challenged the new President, Chief Noble Akenge to raise the bar of the chamber to become a reference point of growth of businesses in the state and congratulated the new President of YECCIMA for his Investiture describing it as well deserved and expressed implicit confidence in his ability to deliver.
The President Coalition of South-South Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Hon Indutimi Komonibo, assisted by Dr. Eme Otazi, officials from other chambers across the country decorated Chief Noble Akenge the insignia of his new office while Mrs. Patricia Dambowa administered the NACCIMA code of ethics conduct to members
In his acceptance speech, the new President of YECCIMA, Chief Noble Akenge stated that his new status confers on him the responsibility to promote the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises, large businesses and corporations adding that Chamber of Commerce is the voice of the private sector. He hinted that he has been involved both in the public and private sectors of the economy.
He enjoined the state government to work closely with the Yenagoa Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture to mobilize fledglings businesses, build more markets and shopping malls, support SMEs with grants and loans to play their vital role as stabilizers of the economy.
Chief Akenge thanked Governor Douye Diri and his Cabinet, Royal fathers, Local Government Chairmen, members of sister states chambers, Dr.James Niminebor, the Life Grand Patron of YECCIMA, HRM, Alfred Diete Spiff for their support towards the success of the programme and expressed gratitude to everyone for finding time to grace the occasion.
President of NACCIMA, Barr. Dele Kelvin Oye, in his goodwill message stated that as leading member of Organised Private Sector, NACCIMA will continue to facilitate synergy between members, the community, businesses and the state governments to advocate for policies and programmes that benefit the private sector as well as encourage inclusive development and sustainable growth of the Nigerian Economy.
HRM Alfred Diete Spiff, former Military Governor of Rivers State and Life Patron of YECCIMA in his goodwill message said YECCIMA was formed when the state was created to promote business and saluted the roles played by late Frank Opigo, Larry Konya, Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce for supporting the establishment of YECCIMA. He encouraged Bayelsans to go into business, which he said is the only way to sustain livelihood.
On the raging controversy at what age he became the military Governor of Rivers State, King Diete Spiff informed that he attained the great feat at 24 years and urged the younger generation to be honest, discipline, focus, work hard and avoid acts inimical to societal development.
The Chairperson Steering Committee, Mrs.Doubra Ofoni, CNA, FCTI, FCA, 2nd Deputy President YECCIMA while giving the vote of thanks expressed gratitude to God for making the ceremony possible and thanked Governor Douye Diri, other top government functionaries, all the members, traditional rulers and everyone that contributed towards the success of the programme and wishes them journey mercies to their various destinations.
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