Insight by the Otunba who shunned the UK and Lagos to settle for the Garden City without regret
The Otunba, Femi Adewunmi, CEO of Primeport Logistics, made a huge difference on August 22, 2019, at the PHCCIMA Auditorium in Garrison, Port Harcourt. The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), led by a naturalized but highly competent Nigerian, Nabil Saleh, has introduced many innovative programmes and projects but the business linkage/connections scheme seems one of the most impactful, followed probably by the ‘One-stop-shop’ initiative that has brought strategic agencies into one location, and the job creation roundtable series.
The day was getting upbeat after the literary princess, Chinyere Nwoga (PHD), who is 2nd deputy vice president of the Chambers, had stirred the audience with explainers of what the linkage scheme was all about and her elucidations on the high-rising profile of the PHCCIMA.
The CEO of E&I Centre, the partnering firm, Chika Chinwah, had reeled out the critical objectives of the workshop series, before the exciting keynote speaker and medical practitioner, Leloonu Nwibubasa, who is the immediate past Commissioner of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, gave his treatise on the search for the real driver of the economy and it is important he does not continue to let his eyes off the ball.
Paul Dorgba from the Ministry of Commerce (Director, Special Duties), had taken the floor to single out Saleh for giving what he called big leadership to PHCCIMA and how Gov Nyesom Wike has dedicated efforts to issues of the business sector and SMES seriously in Rivers State.
Many sat still, waiting for the Otunba who seemed well known and overly popular in the business sphere of the Garden City economic community. The haul stirred when he took the floor.
Why his business is still in Port Harcourt
Since the advent of militancy in the oil region, Port Harcourt, the oil capital city, is believed to have lost weight. What the Garden City lost is believed to be holding up in Lagos, especially Lekki. The $17Bn Dangote Refineries, Fertilizers, and Petrochemicals previously slated for Port Harcourt or Bonny are now getting ready to explode in Lekki. This is evidence that of a truth, Port Harcourt has suffered exodus of companies, investors and investments. But, the Otunba said he did not flee; and he gave reasons.
His words: I came to Port Harcourt in 2008 after over 10 years in the UK to work for Notore in logistics and I eventually chose to reside and operate in Port Harcourt. I was head of procurement and my duty was to import what Notore needed. I later asked myself, why do we have to bring in everything from outside Port Harcourt and the Niger Delta? I saw gaps in Rivers State. I said to myself; every problem is an opportunity. I bult my business around closing the gaps I identified.
I reaslised that it is easier to make it in an emerging economy where gaps still existed because it is by closing these gaps that profit can be made. Analysis showed that gaps create opportunities for investors and absence of gaps mean that competition is stiffer. For instance, there are no gaps in the Lagos business sector. It is in Rivers State that the gaps and opportunities abound. So, I developed my business template on this concept.
In a nutshell, to start a business in Port Harcourt, identify some gaps; look at the figures, and then act. Do you know that 75 per cent of goods consumed here come from Lagos? Interpret this research fact and decide what to do.
Insecurity: There is always something that would scare investors away from a place, and it is by defieing those factors that an investor would hit it big. In this case, insecurity was the sing-song factor, the fear-factor. I went about creaing approaches to cope with it.
I deal fair and straight with people. I make the people have a stake in what I do.
These things contribute to your security. There is physical security and soft security. You can hire security men and give them vans and guns but what you do and how you relate also constitute your security or otherwise.
Today, I only hear about it from others. Nothing has happened to me or anybody around me. I associate with the people and I have lived in same place for 11 years. I drive in a popular car and I spend long time outside in Port Harcourt.
Recession? I did not experience recession because our company’s profits kept doubling, and still keeps doubling. If you plan well, you may not suffer recession.
Position yourself and focus on what you can control. Do not put your energy in things you cannot control and in complaining and giving excuses.
Structure: Put structures in place. Yes, funds are an issue, the Government could be an issue, bad business environment may be challenging, but focus on what you can do.
Always look ahead to the next three years of your business. Always review your structure to carry new plans. If a development is coming, plan to play in it, and get the appropriate requirements ahead.
Train-7: The NLNG Train-7 is close, what are you doing. Primeport is doing ISO certification ahead. I am spending on it just to qualify for jobs when it comes instead of giving myself some pleasure. Even if I do not get Train-7 jobs, the ISO certification will still help me to get jobs and be ahead of competition.
Easier to succeed in Rivers: Do things differently. Do not be a regular person. Rivers is the easiest state to succeed in business or to fight competition. They will give you a chance and see what you can do. In some other places, they may not even give you that chance let alone what you can offer. Lebanese, Kenyans, others come here and succeed. It’s a culture thing. Whatever the case, build your structures and maintain it.