Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — In a move poised to reshape the economic landscape of Rivers and Bayelsa States, the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, PHCCIMA, and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, MAN, have pledged a strategic alliance to promote business development and strengthen advocacy for the organized private sector.
The commitment emerged during a courtesy visit by Elder Vincent Okuku, Chairman of MAN Rivers and Bayelsa Chapter, to Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, President of PHCCIMA, at the Chamber’s corporate office in Port Harcourt.
Speaking during the visit, Elder Okuku underscored the urgency of collaboration to address pressing challenges facing the business community and to unlock growth opportunities through coordinated efforts.
He said, “We are here to explore strategic partnership avenues with PHCCIMA because we believe that by working together, we can create a more enabling environment for manufacturers, small businesses, and the broader private sector. Our goal is to jointly champion issues affecting our members and work closely with relevant authorities to find practical solutions.”
The visit, which industry observers describe as a landmark engagement, is seen as the beginning of a unified approach to advocacy and policy engagement by key players in the region’s economic ecosystem.
Welcoming the delegation, PHCCIMA President, Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, hailed the initiative as “a pivotal moment” in strengthening the collective voice of the organized private sector in the South-South region.
“This visit marks the beginning of a transformative journey. It is no longer enough to work in silos. The economic realities of today demand that we speak with one voice, engage jointly, and stand united in the interest of our members and regional prosperity.”
Dr. Nwoga reaffirmed PHCCIMA’s commitment to driving inclusive economic growth, assuring that the Chamber would deepen engagements with MAN and other sectoral leaders.
“Our collaboration will not be limited to meetings and courtesy visits. We will develop joint programs, host investment summits, and push for policy reforms that support industrial growth and business expansion in Rivers and Bayelsa.”
Both parties agreed to set up a joint working group to identify specific areas of collaboration, ranging from policy advocacy and capacity building to trade facilitation and industrial policy reforms.
Also present at the meeting were PHCCIMA Council Member Monima Ezekiel Daminabo and Chief Emeka Ezekwe, Chairman of PHCCIMA’s Professional Services and Consultancy Trade Group.
The partnership comes at a time when Nigeria’s manufacturing and business communities face increasing operational challenges, including multiple taxation, infrastructure deficits, forex instability, and high production costs.
The PHCCIMA-MAN synergy is expected to offer a stronger platform to engage both state and federal governments on business-friendly policies.
