PHCCIMA a critical system CITN stakeholder – Adebayo

Adesina Adebayo,the President of Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, (CITN) says  the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry,  Mines  and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) is an ascertained  critical stakeholder  of the Charterd Institute of Taxation of Nigeria and as such  has helped to a large extent to develop the CITN system, and vis moreover contributing immensely to ensure that CITN achieves its desired lofty objective.

The CITN Boss discloded  this when he led a high-level delegation of national exco and states district chairmen on a courtesy visit to PHCCIMA Eze Sir, Mike Elechi , the president of PHCCIMA at its secretariat.

“As a body with district societies in 32 states plus Abuja, with only four states yet to be covered by CITN, we see engaging with stakeholders as very paramount, hence we are in Port Harcourt to kickstart a Southsouth zonal conference – a gathering specially arranged to discuss the national problem that has to do with tax development”, Adebayo said.

He went further , “one of the reasons why we organize these conferences on a zonal basis is that each zone has its peculiar challenges that are not necessarily generic. Hence, we craft conferences that are adapted to the problems and challenges of every zone; that is why we are here to engage with the South-southern  zone.

“Because we are tax practitioners and tax professionals, we believe that without engaging with the likes of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce that has a better understanding of the needs of government, even as we are equally mindful of the fact that the various chambers of commerce are very strategic following their knowledge on issues of commerce, industry, mines and of course agriculture, hence the need to engage and synergize with them.”

Speaking on PHCCIMA’s core objective of “Business, Community and Job”, the CITN president stated  that he was moved by these three key areas that basically define the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture .

According to him, they are very significant; looking at the arrow, “you cannot say which one comes first, the chicken or the hen, because is it the job that comes before you talk about the businesses or the community.”

This according to Adebayo, has given CITN a clear perspective about what the Chamber of  of Commerce is all about, thisvis as he  had also expressed gratitude to  PHCCIMA president for the opportunity to visit and enlarge their knowledge base and called  for closer ties between the two organizations.

In his remark, Eze, Sir Mike Elechi, PHCCIMA president, who  welcomed the CITN President and his entourage, has asked  them to join hands with him to commend the governor of Rivers State, His Governor Ezenwo Nyesome Wike for his continued commitment in providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive – in terms of infrastructure and security.

Elechi said , the governor has, streamlined the tax system  in Rivers State to eliminate double taxation which has enhanced the inflow of investments in the state, stressing  that the governor has established a process of performance, through infrastructural development, projects, and service delivery that has lifted the state to an enviable level, redefining governance and placing the state on a platform of developmental progression to boost the economy of the state.

Elechi has also described PHCCIMA as a very strategic organization, the second oldest chamber of commerce and one of the only three premier chambers of commerce in the country.

He explained that every sector of the economy you want is domiciled in PHCCIMA and called for closer synergy between the two organizations; especially the CITN state representatives whom he said must come closer and open communication channels so both can complement each other on the issue of tax information, due diligence and statutory tax regimes among others.

Also present was the PHCCIMA second deputy president, Hon Prince Charles Beke, Chairman of PHCCIMA Professional services and General Consultancy Trade group, Dr. Engr Innocent Akuvue, and his Vice-Chairman who doubles as the Secretary of Financial services trade group, Mr. Silas O. Igwe, the Chairman of Financial Services Trade group, Mr. Clement Akanibo and  the Director General, Mr. Erasmus Chukunda.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of PHCCIMA souvenir and reception of CITN plaque by both presidents.