ECONOMIC SUMMIT: Gov Dickson woos Investors…Unveils World Class Eco-Industrial Park
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Thursday urged the Federal Government, and investors to partner with his administration in the development of investment opportunities in the state to drive its industrialization efforts.
The areas for collaboration according to the governor, include the establishment of a world-class Eco-Industrial Park, power generation, Brass oil and gas free trade zone and the Agge Deep Sea port among other key projects.
Governor Dickson made the plea at the second edition of the Bayelsa State Investment and Economic Forum with the theme, “Unfolding Bayelsa State’s Industrial future,” that was declared open by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Yenagoa.
He said the projects when completed have the capacity to create wealth, employment generation and boost food production as well as increase revenue.
The governor pointed out that efforts geared towards industrializing the state’s economy have become more imperative in view of the declining economic fortunes of the country occasioned by over-dependence crude oil proceeds.
He called on willing investors to invest in Bayelsa as it is endowed with abundant resources, pointing out that it would make a good economic sense for businesses to be sited close to their sources of raw materials.
His words: “We are actually talking about an industrial park that has taken off. So for those who are thinking and rightly so how this wonderful concept can become a concept, we already have it in reality. It is on ground. We have Shell’s investment there of N4 billion dollars already completed.
“We also have a Federal Government’s NIPP’s project that has just been privatized which is also very expensive. So already, we have an industrial park ready to go. All we are doing is to showcase it to the rest of the investing public and to assure everybody of our preparedness to partner going forward.”
According to the Governor, large expanse of land has already been made available as incentive for investors in power generation at Imiringi, in Ogbia local government as well as Gbarantoru in Yenagoa.
In his remarks, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye, called on the state government to adopt very strict codes of business ethics and zero tolerance for corruption as vital guides in its investment drive.
He said, “investors want to see crimes under control as well as a secure and peaceful atmosphere for business. A lot of attention must therefore be paid to the law enforcement and criminal justice sectors towards improving its speed, effectiveness and efficiency.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Barr. Kemela Okara said the 2-day summit was aimed at consolidating the gains already made in the previous summit.
Okara added that this year’s objective is to provide a focused yet rich opportunities where the states can play a pivotal role in the transformation of the Nigerian economy.