Wike Assures International Investors Of Enabling Environment In Rivers State

SAN FRANCISCO, April 29, (THEWILL) – Rivers State Governor-Elect, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured international investors of an investment friendly environment beginning May 29, 2015 , saying that his administration will work towards improving the security of lives and property in the state.

Speaking during a meeting with Ambassador John Groffen, The Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Barrister Wike said that the alarming insecurity in the state will be frontally addressed to encourage investors to return to the state.

He noted that attracting foreign direct investment was key to the development of the state, pointing out that all foreign and indigenous businesses in the state will be protected by the state government in liaison with security agencies.

The Governor-elect, according to a statement by Simeon Nwakaudu, the Special Assistant (Media) to Wike, said: “We are committed to creating an enabling environment for foreign investors to invest in our state. We understand the importance of foreign direct investments in the creation of employment for our unemployed youths.

“We will improve on the security of lives and property across the state and ensure that kidnappings become a thing of the past in the state. This state which is key to Nigeria and the international community will once again be a beehive of economic activities. We are committed to creating a New Rivers State, which all our people will be proud of.”

Barrister Wike pledged to work with the Government of The Netherlands to ensure that the cleaning up exercise of Bodo Community is carried on in line with international best practices.

In his address, Netherlands Ambassador to Nigeria, John Groffen said that the visit to the governor-elect was aimed at continuing with a functional relationship that will be mutually beneficial to his country and Rivers State.

He noted that Rivers State is his most visited state in Nigeria because of the presence of Shell in the state and the Bodo Clean Up programme on-going in the state. He assured the governor-elect of the support and cooperation of the Government and people of Netherlands in his efforts to develop Rivers State.