By Phillip Oladunjoye / Snr Correspondent Lagos
The President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Engr. Emeka Unachukwu has commended the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government area, Barrister Nnamdi Wuche, over his recent disbandment of all task force operating in the local government. He said the decision has become expedient following the menace and embarrassment caused by the activities of these touts.
Unachukwu who made this commendation while speaking to newsmen at the Port Harcourt International airport noted that the suspension was timely as the activities of such heartless task force members practically eroded the achievements of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce and the Rivers state government in the area of promoting sustainable economic activities and progress in the state and stifling efforts made to strengthen small and medium scale enterprises in the area.
“As the organized private sector, our members are the ones mostly affected. Hence, consistent efforts have been made to bring these illegal activities to a halt as it continues to constitute serious impediment to the progress of virtually all businesses in the city,” he said.
Unachukwu expressed gratitude to the Port Harcourt mayor for suspending all revenue collection, saying it shows that the mayor feels the pulse of the business community and also shows his resolve and ultimate desire to get things done in the most accepted and laid down approach.
The PHCCIMA helmsman advised that people must continue to be alert to the devices of such task force members and they must be checked to ensure that the constant menace of intimidation and forceful collection of illegal revenue is brought to an end. The PHCCIMA boss took a swipe at some elements in the force who he said collaborate with some of these touts in perpetrating their illegal trade.
He called on relevant authorities of the Police force to call their men to order and also ascertain the legality of such revenue drives before releasing their men to the field.
It will be recalled that Port Harcourt chamber of Commerce was one of the brains behind sponsorship of a bill at the Rivers state house of assembly seeking to harmonize the various taxes in the state for better understanding and clarity.
Similarly, PHCCIMA, as the mouthpiece of the organized private sector, was also instrumental to the reduction of taxes on registration of business premises in the state to the barest minimum.
Source : Independent