The Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications has pledged to collaborate with the State Committee on Export Promotion (SCEP) and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) to promote locally produced goods and expand export opportunities.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, gave the assurance in Port Harcourt when a delegation of SCEP and NEPC paid a courtesy visit to the ministry to seek support, particularly in media engagement and public enlightenment.
Sirawoo commended the committee for identifying its communication challenges and seeking practical solutions, assuring the delegation of the ministry’s readiness to support initiatives that would contribute to the state’s economic development.
He said the Rivers State Government remained open to partnerships with organisations capable of adding value to the state, stressing that effective communication was essential to promoting development initiatives and achieving organisational goals.
According to him, Rivers State has considerable potential in tourism, natural resources, human capacity and locally produced goods, which could attract wider markets through strategic publicity and promotion.
The Permanent Secretary reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that would benefit the state and its residents, noting that the success of SCEP’s programmes would contribute to the overall development of Rivers State.
He also disclosed that the ministry had nominated a desk officer to facilitate communication and sustain collaboration with the committee.
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Speaking on behalf of the NEPC Regional Coordinator, Ngozi Ibe, Ikuroye Chinelo Olga said the council was mandated to promote non-oil exports, a responsibility that aligned with SCEP’s objectives.
She explained that collaboration with the ministry would help the committee reach a wider audience, improve public awareness of its activities and showcase export opportunities across Rivers State.
Olga emphasised the importance of media visibility in reaching the public and called for a sustainable partnership between the council, the committee and the ministry.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Oil Palm Growers Association, Erasmus Chukunda, said SCEP was established in Port Harcourt in 2016 but had struggled to publicise its achievements and activities.
He explained that the committee’s primary responsibility was to identify goods manufactured or produced in Rivers State, assist local producers in preparing their products for export and work with NEPC to connect them with wider markets.
Chukunda said extending export promotion programmes to rural communities would help residents recognise the commercial value of locally available products, stimulate rural enterprises and create employment opportunities.
He added that increased economic and industrial activities in rural areas could boost local economies and discourage rural-urban migration.
The SCEP chairman called on the Rivers State Government to provide greater support for the committee’s programmes, expressing optimism that stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communications would improve public awareness and connect local producers with international markets.
The partnership is expected to strengthen public enlightenment, promote locally produced goods and expand non-oil export opportunities, with the ultimate aim of generating employment and accelerating economic development across Rivers State.
