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Wike pledges to make Rivers investors’ haven, restores Omehia’s privileges as former governor

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his administration’s resolve to make Rivers State an investors’ haven and urged the International Community to disregard negative stories aimed at scaring away investors.
This is as the governor has restored the rights and privileges due Sir Celestine Omehia as a former Governor of the State.
Speaking at the inauguration of the South African e-visa office in Port Harcourt Thursday, Gov. Wike who said that the issue of security was a global concern, promised to improve on the security situation in Rivers state even while pointing out that the state is one of the safest, most hospitable and most lucrative places for investment in the country.
“We will do everything we can to return Port Harcourt to its past glory and we will want everybody to support the government,” he told his audience
Commending the South African High Commission for selecting Port Harcourt as one of its visa centres in the country, Wike pledged government’s support to complement the efforts of the High Commission in the state.
He noted that the centre, apart from boosting diplomatic relations, will also provide employment for the citizens and enjoined other diplomatic missions to imitate the South African government’s example.
The governor called on the South African embassy to go beyond setting up a visa office by commencing direct flight operations between Port Harcourt and Johannesburg.
In his remarks, the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, Lulu Louis Mngani, stated that the visa office was established to boost operations between Nigeria and South Africa.
He noted that, “since 1994 when the first elected South African president came to power, the tie between the two countries gets stronger by the day.”
The High Commissioner disclosed that the choice of Port Harcourt was based on its status as an economic hub in the country and expressed hope that the presence of the centre will be beneficial to residents and also boost trade between the two countries.
The South African Consular General, Mugesi Monaisa, on his part, said the visa centre was among the three established in the country to ease the pains prospective visitors and tourists experience in trying to obtain visas to South Africa.
In addition to providing visas, Monaisa revealed that the centre will provide advice for those ready to do business in South Africa.
The Country Director of Nigeria and Cameroon, Mr. Deepak, said the centre will attract business opportunities in South Africa to the state.
“We are committed to the continued development and partnership between South Africa and Nigeria throughout the eight states in the South of Nigeria” he stated.
Similarly, the consultant to the project, Mr. Alalibo Oruambo, said the strategic nature of the state is responsible for the siting of the centre and expressed hope that other embassies will follow suit.
Meanwhile, the Incoming Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. M, Lale, has urged the South African authorities to stop the rising xenophobic attacks on Africans in their country.
Prof. Lale who gave the vote of thanks at the event said the establishment of the South African e-visa office in Port Harcourt underscores the robust relationship between Nigeria and South Africa.
Speaking while hanging the photograph of Sir Omehia at the Executive Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Wike announced the restoration of his entitlements saying that he count not fathom the rationale for the refusal of Rotimi Amaechi to display the picture of the former governor.
“You will recall that in 2007, precisely May 2007, somebody superintended the affairs of this state and that was Celestine Omehia. He was governor of Rivers State from May 29, 2007 to October 25, 2007. But it’s unfortunate that we play politics of bitterness and rancour and that is not necessary. If you look around, it is only Omehia’s picture that is not here as a former governor. Take it or leave it, he was a governor of Rivers State and we have resolved to do what we think is right,” Governor Wike said.
He noted that government should not be personalized, saying even if Omehia served the state for just one day, he deserved to be recognized.
Governor Wike who acknowledged the achievements of Omehia as a governor, lamented the fact that he had been denied the privileges of a former governor.
“I believe that even if it’s a single day, he acted on behalf of the state. As a governor, he did a lot of things on behalf of Rivers State: He awarded road contracts and so on. Why will anybody say he was not a governor of the state? I will not accept such! I hereby put back his photograph and restore all his entitlements as a former governor of Rivers State”, Wike declared.
“At a time when I thought I have met the darkness of my political career, a new lease of life is being given to me. It shows that the governor is a man of honour, a man of integrity and a man who is being used by God Almighty to restore the lost glory of the state,” former governor Omehia replied, full of joy.

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