Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has said that the desire to sustain business activity and encourage investors in the state informs its move to help the Federal Government in the repair of the East-West Road.
Governor Wike who stated this when he played host to the Management of Oil and Gas Free Zone, Tuesday in Government House, Port Harcourt, added that 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 stands 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.
