The Rivers State Government has reiterated that it would continue to provide the enabling environment for businesses to thrive in the State.
The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this during the Launch of the Nigerian Barite at Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout, in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 28th October 2021.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said, “Rivers State is safe and secure as ever, it is developing, growing and expanding, we are creating roads and bridges to ensure that the means of transportation is perfect and without any stress”.
Governor Wike who noted that the Launch of the Nigerian Barite was a very important point in our national agenda, as regards our economic development, congratulated the Hon. Minister for the reforms in the mining and metal sector, industrial road map, as well as the open market strategy under his watch.
The Governor who expressed the hope that funding would not be a challenge said, “There is no point doing this launching if at the end of the day it will be short changed because of lack of funds, we really need to find the funds for things that are important for our development as a nation. For our economy, we are talking about jobs, we are talking about unemployment; this is what will take these things off our tables”.
In his address, the Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Arc. Olamilekan Adegbite said “the bag of Barite we are presenting here today meets the American Petroleum Institute standard which is the global benchmark accepted by the oil industry, adding that Barite was among the seven strategic minerals designated for top priority development by his Ministry.
According to him, the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development was also commissioning an open market place portal, which would connect all stakeholders along the Barite value chain.
Launching the Nigerian Barite, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi Wabote, expressed delight that there was an alignment on the objective of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the Ministry of Mines and Steel Development in supporting the attainment of goals and aspirations of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development Act.
Simbi Wabote who said the NCDMB fully supports the initiative of launching the Nigerian Barite, urged various Ministries and Parastatals to emulate this model while adding that the synergy between all Ministries working toward the same goal would yield more results more than anything else.
