Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike said that the state government is
desirous in helping the Federal Government in the repair of the East-West
Road to sustain business activity and encourage investors in the state.
Governor Wike stated this when he played host to the Management of Oil and
Gas Free Zone on Tuesday in Government House, Port Harcourt. Wike said
the state government has a duty to provide enabling environment for
business to thrive
He said that it was part of his campaign promise to create employment,
check crime rate and to attract more investors to do business in the
state.
“We are from this state, so we will not allow investment to die and so we
must repair the road and we will mobilize other firms in the zone to
ensure the work is done”, the governor remarked.
The Rivers State Governor while thanking the management of the Oil and Gas
free zone for the support, pointed out that the poor state of the road
between Onne and Eleme junction was becoming a source of worry for
government.
He lamented the traffic gridlock and insecurity the state of the road
posed to motorists and companies in the area reasoning that though the
road is a federal route, “we will not accept to kill the economy of the
state and we will play our own role”.
For him, the state stand to benefit hugely of business thrive since that
will create employment for the teaming population youth.
Governor Wike also hinted of the plans to partner with oil and gas free
zone to develop other avenues of employment stating that the government is
interested in how it can tap from the presence of the firm to improve the
lives of the people.
Earlier on his part, Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zone, Victor
Alabo commended the governor for coming to the rescue of the companies in
the zone due to the deplorable state of the road.
According to Mr Alabo, over 2,000 vehicles ply the road because of its
strategic access to the refineries and other oil servicing firms.
The Oil and Gas Free Zone boss added, “we are happy and we will continue
to partner with you so that your vision will be actualized”.
He, however, challenged government to adopt a new model of investment,
explaining that the concept of oil and gas free zone is to interface with
companies to explore and exploit avenues of investment that will benefit
the generality of population.