… Assures of Govt support to investors
…To subsidise shop rent for Electrical Dealers
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has stated that his administration did not make any mistake in opening up the state to investors, especially in partnering with the government to develop the state.
Governor Fubara stated this at Kilometer 17, Port Harcourt/Aba Expressway, Iriebe, Port Harcourt, on Thursday while commissioning the Phase 1 and flagging off of Phase 2 of the Port Harcourt Electrical Village.
The governor noted that his government is willing to provide an enabling environment and encourage those that want to invest in the state in order to expand commercial and business activities in the state.
“If you are coming to do business in our state, we will provide every other thing that you need to make sure that your business thrives in our state.”
He said it is necessary to encourage business people and investors in the state as no nation or state can be developed alone by the government, and called on the private sector to join hands with his government to develop the state
“I am happy to be part of this historic event. It is historic because we are aware of the situation of the business in Okija street. The houses are owned by individuals with some of them being converted to shops for the purposes of doing electrical/electronics business. But how convenient is that place?”
“So pulling that section of business to a place like this tells only one story, bringing them together, creating a one-stop shop for such activities, where you can come and do your business without interference.”
Gov. Fubara in responding to the request of the Electrical Dealers Association, said the government will assist in subsidizing the cost of rent for the members of the association, adding that a channel will be created to liaise with them in order to enable them run their businesses smoothly without disruption.
He commended the investor and Managing Director of Revelation Paint, Barr. Emmanuel Ogbebor for investing in the state, stressing that it takes somebody who loves the state to invest in it, assuring that his government will do everything to protect his investment so as to encourage others to invest in the state. He also applauded the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Isaac Umejuru for his doggedness and commitment to his administration.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Prince Isaac Umejuru, commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his vision of opening up the state as a commercial hub for investors.
He said the commitment of the governor to quality leadership that is people centred has resulted in diverse accomplishments in his one year in office and the commissioning of the Electrical Village is evidence of his focus at developing the state for economic growth.
On his part the Contractor and Investor, Barr. Emmanuel Ogbebor,said the Electrical Village was initiated over 30 years ago, but until recently when his company had the enabling environment to develop the facility for the dealers.
He applauded the visionary leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the support of Rivers State Government in delivering the project, adding that the first phase has 620 lock up shops, a Police Station, 2 banks, Eatery and rest room.
The Secretary of the Electrical Dealers Association, Jerry Azubuike congratulated Governor Siminalayi Fubara for his one year in office and transformation programme in the state, and appealed to the governor to assist the members of the association in subsidizing the cost of rent in the Electrical Village.