INTRODUCTION :
My dear highly esteemed members, precisely on November 27th 2024 at the Elective Annual General Meeting (EAGM), I was elected as the first female President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA). The election was succeeded by a colourful inauguration and investiture program for the elected members on December 9th; as a prelude to the Investiture program, one of the strategic overtures we undertook was to pay courtesy call on His Excellency the Executive Governor of Rivers State Sir Siminalayi Fubara in Government House, Port Harcourt.
We used the opportunity of this auspicious visit to introduce to him members of the newly elected EXCO of the chamber.
We also used the platform of the visit to confer on the Governor of the state the prestigious title of the Grand Patron of PHCCIMA, as constitutionally provided.
We also presented to His Excellency a live size portrait of His Good self and also formally invited him to the inauguration and Investiture ceremony of the First Female President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture slated on 12th December, 2025.
Suffice it to say the last 100 days have been characterized by work, work and more work. Hectic and challenging as it may have been, our resolve and resilience towards achieving set objectives have kept the flame in us burning. Today, I stand before you all to share deep reflections on my first 100 days as President of this great conglomeration of astute business executives from diverse sectors.

INSIGHT :
Looking backwards, We have made significant strides especially in the areas of:

1. MEMBERSHIP GROWTH : We have welcomed new members and also expanded our network, influence and visibility beyond limitations.
2. RELATIONSHIP WITH GOVERNMENT
   We have sustained and evidently enhanced our relationship with the government and have made our voice as a body, Clarion in response to Rivers State Government policies and programs, dissecting the state budget through the instrumentality of our erudite economic team. Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce under this administration is committed to our statutory advocacy roles for private sector and businesses in the state. We are poised to achieve favourable legislative and regulatory guides as well as to boost the voice of business as the mouthpiece of the organized private sector. We have also remained visibly proactive when it comes to policies, tax reforms and improvements to available infrastructure. As a Chamber, we have remained proactive and supportive to Initiatives geared towards creating favorable environment for business and economic growth. To achieve all these, we have interacted extensively and strategically with:
   The Director General of Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency RSIPA, Mr Chamberlain Peterside, holding strategic and exploratory business meeting with him. The meeting which was part of an effort to significantly stimulate collaborations of greater benefit to PHCCIMA members, also had as its focus, promoting ease of doing business, improving the operational environment for investors in Rivers State, and opening new frontiers of opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships and collaboration between the two bodies.
   For the very first time in our history as a chamber, our events attracted the presence of the Rivers state Governor, His Excellency, Sir Dr. Siminalayi Fubara GSSRS. He made his presence abundantly felt at the inauguration and Investiture ceremony of the Present EXCO of PHCCIMA, with a promised to work closely with the chamber and promised to register as a member of the Chamber. No doubt, our relationship has been cordial and seamless. STRENGTHENING TIES WITH FOREIGN MISSIONS .
   Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce under my watch will continue to expand its frontiers in building relationships with Embassies so as to establish robust linkages between members of the Chamber and their counterparts in other nations of the world. In the last 100 days, this administration has been able to reignite and strengthen relationships with the Bangladesh High Commission and the French Embassy. The gains of these relationships cannot be over-emphasized.
   In the course of our interaction with the Bangladesh High Commissioner, he affirmed his resolve to open an official desk in PHCCIMA to enhance ease of communication and linkages. Sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, agriculture, and information technology among others are expected to see significant linkages, driven by collaborative ventures and knowledge exchange. They have agreed to provide market insights, regulatory guidance, and networking opportunities to enable entrepreneurs and investors to navigate the complexities of international trade with greater ease and confidence.
   FRENCH EMBASSY : In a strategic move aimed at officially reigniting the robust relationship that existed between the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and the French Embassy, we visited the French envoy and consequently reached an accord to:
   Pursue opportunities for PHCCIMA members in a bid to access cheap funding facilities through the embassy.
   Facilitate ease of travel on business and tourism.
   Encourage collaboration in terms of distributorship and agencies between Nigerian and French business entities, and foster increased participation of members’ businesses through local content. COLLABORATION AND AGREEMENTS:
   Securing valuable partnerships has been one of the cardinal objectives of this administration; hence, we have remained consistent with forging strategic partnerships with business facilitation organizations, enhancing our reach and impact, including securing let-offs in hotel services for our members. Among these lot, permit me to mention a few:
   Hotel Presidential: PHCCIMA and Hotel Presidential in the course of my 100 days in office reached an agreement of understanding. To affirm acceptance of this understanding, a Corporate Agreement between PHCCIMA and the Hotel management was officially signed capturing an offer of a 40% discount for accommodations, hall and related services by both parties effective from the date of signing.
   Chartered Institute of Taxation, CITN Rivers state chapter: This group has agreed to help our members provide insight and services on tax regulations, obligations and training.
   Nigeria Bar Association, Rivers State Branch: We had an understanding through which they will help educate us on Legal Business Framework.
   PHCCIMA, Beach Harcourt Club Collaborate To Explore & Promote Rivers Tourism Potentials. We collaborated with the Beach Harcourt Club to host the first tourism event in Port Harcourt.
   Rivers State Tax Justice and Governance Platform – To support our advocacy on Fiscal reforms, multiple-taxation among others.
   Having a rich Vein of Success Stories, The Learn To Live Business School Signed An Agreement With PHCCIMA To Collaborate In The Area of Providing Necessary Tools For Elevating Existing Businesses, Transforming Leadership, And Achieving Lasting Success In Chosen Endeavours With PHCCIMA.
   We have also brokered a viable business relationship with LANDMARK AFRICA GROUP a development firm, currently handling the development of Port Harcourt Tourist Beach to partner and collaborate with them in the provision of services and our sourcing of components of the job.
   The Chamber is currently working out a collaborative arrangement with Coscharis Mobility Company , one of our members to render mobility services to the Chamber and it’s visitors during critical periods at discounted rates.
   We have also established a relationship with the DEL-YORK DEVELOPMENT COMPANY to impact positively on the Chamber in the areas of digital literacy and certification , career path mentoring and up scaling women participation through emphasis on women industrial and creative skills acquisition and provision of sponsorship for the female members of the Chamber.
   We have also developed a collaborative relationship with the CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF DIRECTORS OF NIGERIA. With the aim of bringing Chambers in the established circles of World Class Technocrats for enhanced Chamber visibility.
   On Thursday 13th March 2025, the collaboration between PHCCIMA and The Learn to Live Business School gave rise to a Basic Master Class Tagged: ‘DEEP THINKING CONCLAVE’
3. HOSTED EVENTS:
   Within our first 100 days, we have successfully hosted events, that provide valuable networking opportunities and business insights for our members.
   PHCCIMA hosted business interaction with a delegation from the Bangladesh High Commission, and I am happy to announce that from June, the Bangladesh High Commission will have their business desk in PHCCIMA to facilitate ease of information and open channels of communication for possible commercial linkages.
   We hosted a one-day training program for women organized by the British Council in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders at the corporate office of PHCCIMA in Port Harcourt. The Rivers state chapter of WCCIMA was in huge attendance at the event which provided an opportunity to learn some of the rudiments necessary for women’s business.

5 . INTERNAL INAUGURATIONS :
We Inaugurated The Rivers State Chapter Of Women Chambers Of Commerce Industry Mines And Agriculture, WCCIMA.
We also inaugurated the Various Trade Groups and Committees of the chamber knowing that they form the core foundation for achieving set objectives.

6. MEMBERS’ ENGAGEMENT AND OUR AUDACIOUS FACILITY VISITS
   This administration during our inauguration made it clear that our priority is to ensure that member companies thrive, with effort centred on enhancing Ease of doing business. Hence in the past 100 days, we have engaged in three strategic member facility visits including visits to Develop U, owned by Past President Dr Emeka Unachukwu, Focal Hotel owned by Chief Engr. Obadiah Ezenekwe, and Integrated Catering Services, brand owners of The Promise fast food owned by former Publicity Secretary, Pst Oluwatoyin Alabi. Our objective is to show solidarity & support to members – interact with them to understand their challenges and help share their success stories.
   In other words, we want to achieve that objective where members understand the business of other members, support and patronize them before they go outside. This has become necessary because we have found out over the years that some of us don’t understand what our fellow members do, and we are committed to changing that narrative with these strategic facility visits. Thirdly we intend to create a database of PHCCIMA members in various industries so that we can present the same to the government, NACCIMA and other relevant institutions when the need arises for interventions.

7 MAKING OUR PRESENCE FELT ON INVITED PROGRAMS:
We attended the Nigeria Export Promotion Council One Day Workshop Titled: Agenda Setting
We attended a 2-day Engagement Workshop on Empowering MSMEs in South-South Nigeria and Utilization of the Calabar Port Authority for cross-border trade and Ease of Doing Business held on 20th Feb, at Transcorp Hotel Calabar.
Attended the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry One Day Stakeholders Sensitization Workshop at the Skills Development Centre, East-West Road on 26th February 2025.
Attended the Nigerian Shippers Council Stakeholders programme on Feb 26th, 2025.

8 . Adaptability : Valued members, suffice it to say that we have navigated expected and unexpected obstacles, however, we have remained firm, demonstrating our resilience and ability to adapt and focus on the goals ahead.

9. CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED:
   Stating the obvious, we have faced challenges and the good thing is that we have learned valuable lessons. Most importantly, we are most grateful for your trust and support that has sustained our resolve to serve you better.

10 VISIONS AND FUTURE PLANS:
As we look ahead, our vision remains clear:

1. Advocate for Business Interests: We will continue to champion policies supporting business growth, ease of doing business and competitiveness.
2. Foster innovation: We will launch initiatives promoting entrepreneurship, innovation, and technological advancement.
3. Build Strategic Partnerships Beneficial To Members: We’ll deepen relationships with key partners, driving collaborative success. CONCLUSION :
   As we navigate past the first 100 days of this administration, I am elated to say that we have laid the groundwork for a brighter future. I am proud of our record worthy progress and grateful for your support, especially my supportive Exco, our ever vibrant elected council and the entire membership. Together, we will continue to drive growth, innovation, and prosperity for our business community.

THANK YOU

Dr Chinyere Nwoga
PHCCIMA President