Mkpoikana Udoma 25 February 2016, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company, NLNG, and Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industries, Mines and Agriculture, PHCCIMA, have agreed to synergise in a bid to attract and stimulate meaningful economic development in Rivers State.
The agreement was reached between the two bodies when president of PHCCIMA, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, led the chamber’s newly-elected executive council members on a business visit to NLNG office in Port Harcourt.
Dr. Membere-Otaji, who explained that the visit was aimed at seeking ways to jointly re-strategise in the face of the fall in global crude oil prices, emphasised the need for diversification of Nigeria’s economy, saying efforts should be strongly geared towards import substitution and export promotion.
Describing NLNG’s decision to move its headquarters to Port Harcourt, he officially invited the company to be a member of PHCCIMA.
“PHCCIMA is a veritable platform for strategic collaboration and networking, especially with available trade groups across diverse fields of endeavour active in the chamber.
“We request NLNG to join membership of the chamber so that the company can take advantage to harness the various collaborations with trade groups and members.
“We are also here to invite you officially to be partakers of the PHCCIMA quarterly meeting and to request that your company play an active role by assuming the key sponsor of the meeting which is slated to hold in every quarter of the year.”
Responding, NLNG’s Nigerian Content Development Manager, Mr. Charles Okon, who represented the Managing Director, Mr. Babs Omotowa, said the company was open and willing to co-operate with PHCCIMA to attract meaningful development to the economy of Rivers State.
The local content manager added that NLNG had been making positive impact in the development of its host communities and the country.
Okon said NLNG has added and is still adding value as the highest tax paying company in the country, explaining that the company will continue to add value to the economy with the conversion of flared gas to income.
He commended PHCCIMA’s idea of ensuring that businesses thrive in the state, and assured that the company is ready to join membership of the chamber.