Rivers allocates land for Port Harcourt Trade Fair complex

After many years of operating in rented sites, but with unending requests to the Federal Government for a designated trade fair site, the Rivers State government has asked the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) to apply for land for its trade fair.

Governor Nyesom Wike said he had directed the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHDA) to liaise with PHCCIMA for allocation of land to establish a permanent site of the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair complex.

The governor spoke in Port Harcourt on Monday when he received the president of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Bassey Edem Orok Edem, saying his administration remained committed to developing an enabling environment for private businesses to thrive.

Edem, a former managing director of Plantation PAMOL Rubber Limited, had made case for Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce to be allocated a permanent site for its trade fair, as the chamber remained the only major city chamber without a trade site.

Governor Wike, while responding to the NACCIMA boss’ request, stated that the permanent site of the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair would be located near the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Port Harcourt, to promote accessibility, and enhance its profitability to the state and region.

He noted that the state government started with infrastructural development because of the need to develop the right investment climate, and also attract more investors to the state.

“The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture should liaise with the Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority and the Special Adviser on Investment for land for a permanent site for the Port Harcourt International Trade Fair. The chamber should formally apply for the land, and processes will be followed in allocating same,” Wike said.

He the state under his watch would continue to partner with the organized private sector in its quest to develop the state’s economy; adding that earlier in June/July, the government took the step of developing infrastructure and creating access to  key business  areas like the Onne Port and NPA  Port in Port Harcourt.

It is the policy of  his administration  to  complete  abandoned  projects because  state resources have been  committed  to  them, he said.

Bassey Edem commended the governor for his investment in the development of infrastructure to aid business development.