Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has decried the low level of investment in the state, regretting that its economic situation has been pitiable despite its population growth and business activities.

Fubara also said that the resolve is to create a climate conducive to the growth of agriculture, manufacturing, small and medium enterprises, and key services because they are the productive sectors that will put Rivers’ economy on a competitive pedestal.

The governor, who spoke when he inaugurated members of the six-member governing Board of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (GBoRSIPA) at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday, urged them to focus on attracting real investors across critical sectors so that the state can become self-sustaining.

Those inaugurated are Lawrence Fubara Anga, SAN, as Chairman; Dr Chamberlain Peterside as Director-General; and Mrs Tamunoibuemi Life-George, who is to serve as Secretary.

Others are Goodliffe Nmekini, Barrister Havey Ideozu, and Baritor Lenusikpugi Kpagih as members.

Fubara explained that Rivers State used to rank first in the comity of states in terms of productive economic activities, which attracted various business interests and made the State a well-groomed investment haven.

Fubara said: “We might be celebrating, that yes, we have a very fat allocation. We have been able to improve our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), but we still have a lot to do; and, that has to do with this agency.

“The purpose of this agency is to give our people – to assure them, that Rivers State can still come back to that enviable position that it once occupied. Those people that were doing business in Rivers State that left, for one reason or the other – that they can still come back.

“We want to see people who intend to come back and invest because Rivers State is blessed – it has oil, the most important item for development today, which is gas, in abundance.

“Look at what is happening in Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout: We can make Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout come back to what it used to be. We can develop the resources that we have in Onne Town. We have Ogba-Egbema gas hub. These are part of the promises we made during our campaigns, and we must fulfil those promises,” he said.

Fubara emphasised that the agency is established to rigorously harness tenable economic and human potentials abundant in the State that can be translated into making Rivers the economic gateway and one-stop- shop for productive economic activities.

He said: “We have waited for this moment for a long time. It is a moment we all have been praying for because we want to leave a State that will be remembered: Rivers State that can compete, and Rivers State that can stand the test of time as a proud State.

“People that are coming here would begin to know that Rivers State is now serious. Rivers State is not about coming here and saying I want to take the side of maybe, I am interested in 10 per cent or 20 per cent of what you are coming with, that is not the purpose now…”

“The Chairman of this agency is a private legal practitioner and a businessman who has made his name. Let me say it here: let it be on record that I had to beg him to accept the offer. I even had to send emissaries to him to plead with him.

“He said he doesn’t want to get involved with any political thing. I said this is not about politics. You live in Lagos, you have made your name in Lagos. Please, come and help us. We need help, Rivers State needs to be salvaged.”

In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Governing Board of Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (GBoRSIPA), Lawrence Fubara Anga, SAN, said they consider their appointment as an opportunity to serve among other Rivers people who are willing to be so appointed.

Anga noted the enormity of the task before them but expressed appreciation that even the Governor understands it so, which is why he consulted widely to gather very distinguished, proven and tested personalities, who depict his foresight.

He said: “Your Excellency, we have heard and listened very attentively to your charge, and that charge resonates, I believe, with everybody in this room.

“This is the time, whether we like it or not, to many people, it is a time to want to despair. It is a time of problems, and it is also a time of challenges. And everybody has an option: your cup can either be half-full, or half-empty.

“But Your Excellency has decided that the cup of Rivers State shall be completely full. For every challenge, there is an opportunity. And what His Excellency has done is to tell us: go and look for those opportunities.”

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