Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture( ECCIMA) on Saturday 9th December 2023 celebrated its 60th anniversary marking the Diamond Jubilee Luncheon of the Chamber which was founded in 1963.
The ceremony was graced by the Executive Governor of Enugu State represented by the Secretary to the State Government Professor Chidiebere Onyia, members of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, SECCIMA President, ECCIMA Council members, gentlemen of the press and many others.
The president of ECCIMA Barr. Jasper Nduagwuike in his opening speech through the 2nd Deputy President Engr Nnanyelugo Onyemelukwe expressed his happiness for the laudable success of ECCIMA from the founding date to the present day. He saluted the past presidents of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture ( ECCIMA) for their leadership and sacrifice over the years which has enabled the chamber to stand tall. In his speech, he said “The pathway to the success we celebrate today had the signature of some of the best the Igbo nation has to offer, serve as Presidents in ECCIMA” He mentioned their names including those that are late but still live in the mind of the people who will forever remember their legacy.
The President said the chamber movement is nonprofit 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.
Speaking further, the ECCIMA President recognized the contribution of the State and Federal Government so far in the journey of the chamber while touching on the need to develop the Enugu International Trade Fair Centre to the standard. In preparation for the next International Trade Fair, the president said that twenty countries have indicated interest in participating in the occasion and used the opportunity to invite the Enugu State Governor His Excellency Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to to grace the fair, declare it open and also invite his fellow governors to the occasion and participation of people from their states.
Before he ended his speech, he joyfully informed the people present at the 60th anniversary of ECCIMA that the foundation stone laying of a 1500 seater exhibition hall at the trade fair complex will be done in January 2024 and solicited the contribution of everyone to ensure that the labour of the founding fathers or heroes past will not be in vain.
During the presentation of Kola nut, the royal father of the day Igwe. Ambassador Lawrence Agubuzu prayed and blessed the kola nut in line with the culture and tradition of the Igbo people.
Before the Executive Governor of Enugu State made his speech, a documentary video was played to take people down memory lane. The documentary showed ECCIMA’s journey so far which made many people at the event recognize the sacrifices and achievements of ECCIMA leaders in the past sixty years.
The Executive Governor of Enugu State His Excellency Dr. Barr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) saluted ECCIMA at 60 years and extolled the chamber leadership for the impacts as an organized private sector. Professor Onyia speaking on behalf of the Governor said that the vision of Dr Peter Mbah-led government is to grow the economy of Enugu State from $3.3 billion to $30 billion in the next four to eight years. He mentioned that a harmonization committee had been instituted to ensure that people wouldn’t face the challenge of multiple taxation. ECCIMA members were tipped to join the government in the development of Enugu State and shouldn’t take a shortcut in certain payment that makes up internally generated revenue(IGR) of the State Government. He said that the Enugu State Government is working hard to solve power issues in Enugu to guarantee constant power supply. To achieve that, Enugu will have an independent regulatory agency to be in charge of energy generation and coordinate investors interested in investing in the Energy Sector.
Speaking further, he said that everything His Excellency Peter Mbah promised the Enugu people will all be fulfilled. He said the Governor promised that there would be water within the first one hundred and eighty days of his administration and today there is water running in Enugu which is a testament to the willingness and readiness of the Governor to deliver in his vision to develop Enugu State economy. He said that Orji River water will soon come on board to increase the daily supply of water and help in the blue economy by supplying water to neighbouring states like Ebonyi, Anambra State and others.
Speaking on infrastructure, he said that the budget presented to the Enugu State House of Assembly has shown the disruptive agenda of Peter Mbah’s government to build quality infrastructural projects in Enugu State. He said in the next two to three years there will be infrastructural development in Enugu State.
Professor Onyia Speaking further on behalf of the Executive Governor of Enugu State said that the State Government is bullish on everything about business success in Enugu State as a government anchored in transparency, accountability, meritocracy and many more.
In the guise of concluding his speech, SSG representing the Executive Governor of Enugu State during the event said that the government of Peter Mbah is business focus and at the end of his administration, Enugu will be among the top three in ease of doing business and investors will be talking about Enugu State as destination for investment.
Other persons that spoke during the events were the NACCIMA president Barr Otunba Dele Oye who delivered his speech through the former president of ECCIMA and Group Managing Director of Copen Group Reverend Dr Ugo Chime, SECCIMA President Mr Humphrey Ngonadi who all extolled ECCIMA leadership for their dedication and commitment as an organized private sector.
Notable Staff of ECCIMA who have been with the chamber for many years spanning decades were given awards in line with their commitment, dedication and services in the Enugu Chamber of Commerce.
ECCIMA Vice President(treasury) Sir Eric Chime gave closing remarks thanking those who made time in their busy schedule to grace the event.