Apparently revelling in the new-found peace and security in Rivers State and in a bid to diversify its investment capability away from oil and gas, a group of indigenous entrepreneurs has initiated a move to make the state the investment destination of choice in Nigeria for both local and foreign investors.To achieve this end, the group has concluded plans to organise an investors forum, in collaboration with the state government, mainly targeted at strengthening the states position as an investment hub in the country.Addressing journalists in Lagos at the weekend, members of the Organising Committee of Rivers State Investors Forum 2011, said the forum, scheduled for mid November, had a three-prong objective: opening up Rivers abundant investment opportunities to local and foreign investors; re-inventing the industrial capabilities of the state; and opening doors to some other key specific sectors for investment by local and foreign investors.The Chairman of the committee, Mr. Atedo Peterside, who described Rivers and its environs as strategic to the economic well-being of Nigeria, said, It is , therefore, important that it develops into a robust and secure commercial hub.According to him, a direct consequence of the forum, tagged, Change That Works, is that it would help diffuse threats to the energy security of the world, and would be a catalyst for the development of oil and gas activities and other serious investments around the Gulf of Guinea in a safe and environmentally friendly atmosphere.It is for this reason that a group of entrepreneurs has sought collaboration with the governor of the state to organise an investors forum, stressing that the purpose is to boost economic activities in the state and its environs, and also facilitate a turnaround nationally, which will help our country attain and surpass the Millennium Development Goals.He said the forums outcome would target attracting investments to six specific areas, including agricultural and rural development; infrastructure investment, with emphasis on power and roads; oil and gas; services (including finance); industry and trade investment; and development of Greater Port Harcourt City.The Secretary to the committee, Emmanuel Georgewill, on his part, recalled that four years ago, the state was a danger zone security-wise, but noted that following the amnesty programme of the Federal Government, the situation had changed.He said, Rivers State is unique; nearly 98 per cent of Nigerias oil revenue comes from the area. We need to recreate another industrial hub, apart from Lagos and Kano. Of course, Port Harcourt has always been an industrial hub, but for the decline that came with the security threat of some few years back.In the past, Rivers had a thriving industrial base. Michelin and other firms had had to leave because of the security situation, several other investments left. But now the security is as, and indeed, better than other states in Nigeria. If the situation has changed, then there is the need to make investors come back, and even attract others to the new investment climate.
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