The Rivers State Government has appealed to Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to assist the State in attracting investments from within and outside the Country.
Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, made this appeal during a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, 26th November, 2020.
Speaking through his Deputy, Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike, said Rivers State is ready, Rivers State is safe and is now an investor’s haven.
He said the State Government would always partner with the organized private sector because of the need to improve the use of agricultural produce and also the need to improve and encourage Agro businesses.
“We are almost launching out, as all is now set to commission and set up the Rivers State Cassava Processing Company in Afam Oyigbo”. The Governor quipped.
The State Chief Executive disclosed that when completed, the 12 Billion Dollar investment which his Administration sees as a way of improving the Nigerian Government’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would provide over 3,000 jobs for the teaming youths of the State.
“We want to work with the private sector, Rivers State is ready to divest up to 70% of its shares in this company, because we believe that Government should not interfere with the running of that kind of company, and we also want to have the private sector involved and make sure that in the long run it can be sustainable, so we are inviting the private sector to take advantage of the divestment”. He further stressed.
Governor Wike said, apart from being the Hub of the Oil and Gas Sector, the State is fast becoming the Hub of the Tech Start-up.
“Tech start-ups are growing fast and young people and young adults are getting involved in creative digital skills, creative economy and this is very good because we have a huge population of young people”.
According to Governor Wike the decision to invest hugely on infrastructural development was necessitated by the desire to create a friendly business environment, improve security as well as the aesthetics of the State.
He appealed to the Federal Government to ensure the speedy completion of the Bonny Bodo road because of its importance to the nation and the state.
In her remarks the National President of NACCIMA, Hajia Saratu Iya Aliye, said as business people they have closely followed the massive infrastructural developmental strides achieved by the Governor Wike led Administration, even in the face of the Covid 19 Pandemic which according to her is highly commendable.
She said they were in the State to for their last Council Meeting and to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of NACCIMA.
