Eze emerges pioneer President of Salt City Chamber Of Commerce
From Chinedu Nwafor, Abakaliki
Barrister Chukwuemeka Eze has emerged the pioneer President of Salt City Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SALTCCIMA).
Eze’s investiture took place at Super Nike hotel, Okposi, Ohaozara LGA, Ebonyi State, on Wednesday.
Speaking shortly after taking oath of office, Eze promised to interface with Government to ensure business to government synergy.
“There are many things to expect from us from the business perspective. Basically, we need to interface with Government under what we call business to government synergy. When government makes certain policies on businesses, sometimes, they don’t invite business people to be part of that decision making.
“Government officials may just sit in their offices and say, let’s do this, let’s do that, let relocate this market, let’s close this market, let’s double payment for fees/taxes and so on. When they are taking these decisions, many of them not being in business do not understand how it plays out. We wear the shoe and know where it pinches us.
“So, we are in the position to go back to them to say, this policy is good, this policy needs touching to enable us breath as business people. But it will be difficult for government to engage businesses if we are not organized. It was because of this, that all of over the world, we have Chambers of Commerce.
“Salt City Chamber of Commerce is one of the 70 chambers of commerce in Nigeria and about 14 in the South East Nigeria. The advantages it will have is that there are so many areas that are uncovered that we will stand in the gap between businesses and government. And we have been doing that,” he said.
Eze further encourage business people within and outside Ebonyi State to register with the Chamber in order to reap the numerous benefits it provides.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Prince Oguzor Offia-Nwali, assured the Chamber that the government of Ebonyi State was fully prepared to partner it for Business development in the State.
Nwifuru who noted that his People’s Charter of Need mantra was committed to bettering the lots of the people of Ebonyi State, was optimistic that the Salt City Chamber was going to be of great benefits to the people of the State.
National President of NACCIMA, Otunba Dele K. Oye, who was represented by President, South East Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (SECCIMA), Mr Humphrey Ngonadi pledged their commitment to providing necessary support to ensure optimal operation of SALTCCIMA.
He explained that the roles of Chambers of Commerce among others include support to local economy, organize sensitization workshop for business owners, provide assistance to businesses and to contribute to the overall development of the society they serve.
He lauded Eze’s contribution to the Chambers of Commerce and expressed optimism that his emergence as first President of SALTCCIMA would catapult it to a greater heights, even as he assured that they would partner and support Eze to succeed in office.
Chairman of the occasion, and immediate Past President, NACCIMA, Ide J.C. Udeagbala, said the event was a realization of a three year old positive dream, which he said was a product of hardwork.
According to him, the idea of SALTCCIMA was conceived three years ago, during the investiture of the President of South East Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (SECCIMA).
In an interview, the Director-General of SALTCCIMA, Dr Emmanuel Nwafor, assured that the Chamber would work for the overall benefits of Ebonyi people and beyond.
