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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has restated that the resolve is stronger now than ever, to create a climate conducive to the growth of agriculture, manufacturing, small and medium enterprises, and key services.
He said this was necessary because they are the productive sectors that will put the state’s economy on a competitive pedestal.
The governor, therefore, urged members of the maiden Governing Board of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency to streamline their activities in such a manner that will attract real investors across critical sectors so that the state can become self-sustaining, comparatively.
Fubara gave the charge when he inaugurated members of the six-man board at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Monday.
Those inaugurated are Lawrence Anga, SAN, as Chairman; Dr Chamberlain Peterside as Director-General; and Mrs Tamunoibuemi Life-George, who is to serve as Secretary.
The others are, Mr Goodliffe Nmekini, Havey Ideozu, and Lenusikpugi Kpagih as members.
Fubara explained that Rivers State used to rank first in the comity of states in terms of productive economic activities, which attracted various business interests and made the state a well-groomed investment haven.
He expressed regret that the attendant expansion and population growth were not maximally managed, because the challenges overwhelmed those who superintended over business activities then, lamenting that the expected blessings were wrongly channelled, which left the state in a pitiable economic situation.
He said, “We might be celebrating, that yes, we have a very fat allocation. We have been able to improve our Internally Generated Revenue, but we still have a lot to do; and, that has to do with this agency.
“The purpose of this agency is to give our people – to assure them, that Rivers State can still come back to that enviable position that it once occupied. Those people that were doing business in Rivers State that left, for one reason or the other – that they can still come back.
“We want to see people who intend to come back and invest because Rivers State is blessed – it has oil, the most important item for development today, which is gas, in abundance.
“Look at what is happening in the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout. We can make the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout come back to what it used to be. We can develop the resources that we have in Onne Town. We have Ogba-Egbema gas hub. These are part of the promises we made during our campaigns, and we must fulfil those promises.”
The governor emphasised that the agency is established to harness economic and human potentials abundant in the state that can be translated into making Rivers the economic gateway and one-stop- shop for productive economic activities.
He added, “We have waited for this moment for a long time. It is a moment we all have been praying for because we want to leave a state that will be remembered: Rivers State that can compete, and Rivers State that can stand the test of time as a proud state.
“People that are coming here would begin to know that Rivers State is now serious. Rivers State is not about coming here and saying I want to take the side of maybe, I am interested in 10 per cent or 20 per cent of what you are coming with, that is not the purpose now.”
He explained that Rivers State is about genuine business interactions that will be mutually beneficial to all parties in a sustainable way, insisting that investors desirous of gaining value from their stakes should boldly come to the State for partnerships that will work in the interest of all stakeholders.
He said, “The purpose is to build our state. The purpose is to grow this state economically in such a way and manner that even if we don’t get federal allocation anymore, for example, we can still sustain ourselves (as a State) with our IGR.”
Fubara acknowledged that in discharging its responsibilities, the board will encounter challenges and stiff opposition from those who abhor change but urged the members to brace up and be forthright in their quest to achieve their mandate.
The governor clarified that the board should not be preoccupied with people who are only interested in real estate, which seemed to be the current drive now.
He stated, “Not just issues of people coming to build houses and other things. I want your concentration to be more on agriculture, (manufacturing).
“Look to find people who are coming in to invest. People are coming to build factories because it is only when we start production that employment issues will be resolved, (and we will witness economic boom).
“So, please, those things that will solve the problem of unemployment, and promote the creation of wealth for the State should be your focus.”
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Governing Board of Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Anga, said they consider their appointment as an opportunity to serve among other Rivers people who are willing to be so appointed.
Anga noted the enormity of the task before them but expressed appreciation that even the Governor understands it so, which is why he consulted widely to gather very distinguished, proven and tested personalities, who depict his foresight.
He said, “Your Excellency, we have heard and listened very attentively to your charge, and that charge resonates, I believe, with everybody in this room.
“This is the time, whether we like it or not, to many people, it is a time to want to despair. It is a time of problems, and it is also a time of challenges. And everybody has an option: your cup can either be half-full, or half-empty.
“But Your Excellency has decided that the cup of Rivers State shall be full. For every challenge, there is an opportunity. And what His Excellency has done is to tell us: go and look for those opportunities.”
