Enugu Govt hails ECCIMA at 60, urges continuous partnership to grow state's economy

Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture ( ECCIMA), Saturday, celebrated it’s Diamond jubilee ( 60Th anniversary),assuring a continuous partnership with the Enugu State Government in it’s economic development.

At the event held at ECCIMA House,Old Trade Fair Complex,G.R.A. Enugu, the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, commended ECCIMA for being strong at 60 and for it”s commitment in being part of Enugu’s economic growth.

Pix- Cutting of anniversary cake

He attributed the successes recorded by ECCIMA in it’s 60 years of existence to good foundation laid by its founding fathers. He said, “When people get to 60, they began to slow down a bit, but that is not same with ECCIMA. ECCIMA is waxing strong because of the foundation laid.”

Governor Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, said the State Government is focused on investment, expanding the state’s economic base .

“Our vision is to grow our economy in the next Four to Eight years. We are bent on working with businessmen/ investors. That’s why the Governor hosted the first Enugu investment Roundtable, ” he said

The Governor disclosed that over $500 Billion business opportunities in Enugu, were unveiled during the Roundtable and most of the participants promised to assist the state.

He recalled the state government had Economic Roundtable recently and Chief Executives,captains of industries invited, stressed the need to invest at home.

.SSG,Prof Onyia

Governor Mbah said they were very focused with the partnership they had seen in ECCIMA. He added that the state government had focused on creating an enabling environment for businesses, through Infrastructural development, Public Private Partnership and harmonization of taxes,for businesses to thrive in the state, using e- Governance module to block leakages.”

He said power supply has been a major concern to Enugu state and the state was the first state in the country that has electricity law. Enugu State Electricity Regulatory will take full control of power regulation in the state. ” We are going to have our own regulator here that is independent, ” Governor Mbah said

Prof Onyia

Governor Mbah also spoke on his promise to give water to “ndi Enugu” within the 180 days of his assumption of office, a promise that was kept. He said, “we have 60,000 cubic litres of water . It will increase in 2024 when Oji River water project is completed .

He said the state Government had taken steps to create a friendly environent to attract investors to the state , adding that it will make Enugu one of the top 3 states in Nigeria in ease of doing business.

The Governor enjoined ECCIMA to help the State Government to grow the state’s economy, saying, “If we plan to run a business and grow our economy , it is impossible without the business community. We don’t know everything. We are willing to work with people who had gone that part”.

In his address, the President of ECCIMA, Jasper Nduagwuike said ECCIMA was founded by Dr. Nlogha Okeke of blessed memory .” The Chamber movement is not profit making and powered by the selfless commitment of people who want to partner with the Government to ensure the ease of doing business so that appropriate economic benefits can accrue to the people and Government of the day”, he said .

Nduagwuike, who was represented by Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe, commended Enugu state Government for it’s support to ECCIMA and assured continuous partnership with the state government

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Ide J.C. Udeagbala, who was represented by the president ,South East Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, SECCIMA, Humphrey Ngonadi, congratulated ECCIMA for it”s laudable contributions to the growth of the country. He commended Enugu state Government for it’s support to ECCIMA..

Highlights of the event were cultural dance display, cutting of anniversary cake and awards presentation to staff who had worked for more than 12 years They are the Director General, Uchechukwu Mbah, Ezekiel Philip, Technician, Mrs Ngozi Uche, and Mrs Amaka Udeh, Admin. Secretary.