We Will Revive The Ports- Wike Assures Investors

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has underscored the economic importance of resuscitating the two sea ports in the state. Wike while playing host to Entrepreneurs and investors in the state.under the aegis of Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum at Government House Port Harcourt on Monday, promised to exploit the potentials of the ports in reviving the state economy Apart from being the gateway to the state, Wike observed that ports have huge economic potentials, hinting that “We are taking a visit to NPA soon to see how the sea port looks like now”. The governor said his administration is open to suggestions on the best way to run the state -saying a conducive business climate is crucial to revive the economy. The governor further disclosed that:“We will do everything we can to see that the sea ports are revived. Instead of our people going to Lagos to bring in goods for Rivers people, it will be now come to our ports in Rivers State.” Addressing the issue of multiple taxation which the forum raised, Wike responded that, “I will tell you that we will do everything we can to address it very soon;, we will want to have an interactive session with the business community so that we can partner on these items that we think are important”. According to him, the forum is expected to come up with a unified tax system in the state, which he believes will fast track the economic pace of the state. Governor Wike while soliciting the forum’s contribution to the economic programmes of the administration, reiterated the desire of government to give priority attention to commerce and power. On these two areas, he said:“We don’t want to compromise in the area of commerce and power; we want to appoint persons who are capable to drive power generation in the state”. He thanked the forum for organizing the governorship debate during the elections, urging it to continue in that light as part of its contribution to the state’s transformation. Earlier, the President of the Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum, Mr. Ibifiri Bobmanuel had commended Governor Wike for the pragmatic steps he has already taken in the few weeks of his administration to give the state a new lease of life. Mr. Bobmanuel stated that the opening of the Courts and the State House of Assembly has demonstrated that the governor was ready to fulfill his electoral promises. He called on the governor to provide conducive atmosphere for business- most especially small scale enterprises (SMES) by addressing the issue of multiple taxation and reviving the two ports in the state. The Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum President pledged the support of the body to revive the economy, but advised that:, “the way we can diversify our economy is to move away from oil to other sources of revenue”.