By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – The Rivers Government has assembled a team of economic experts to recommend possible ways of driving economic growth and development in the state, an official said.
Mr Joseph Johnson, the Commissioner of Information and Communications, disclosed this at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Johnson said that the economists, drawn from various sectors would convene at a special economic summit scheduled to hold between May 22 and May 23 in Port Harcourt.
He said that the economists would use the River State Economic and Investment Summit to deliberate on key issues touching on the economic growth of the state
The commissioner said that the summit would cover themes such as, Attracting Investment and Manufacturing Strategies for Collaboration and Partnership and Ease of Doing Business.
”It shall also cover other themes such as, Impact of Government Regulations, and Blue Economy among others.
“The summit is coming on the resolve of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara”s commitment to uplifting residents and state workers from poverty,” he said.
The Commissioner said that the state government’s intention was to leverage the summit for promoting collaboration, sharing insights, and exploring non-oil opportunities.
He said that the Fubara-led administration had achieved significant milestones within its first year in office.
“For eight years, civil servants were not promoted; schools and health sectors were abandoned.
“Upon assuming office, Gov. Fubara promotes civil servants; invested in the health sector, which is now functioning effectively, while schools are getting face lifts.
“The governor is also focussed on implementing projects that will meaningful impact on the lives of our people,” he affirmed.
Johnson stressed that the N200 billion 50.15-kilometre Ring Road project and 13.8km N225 billion Trans-Kalabari Road and eight bridges among others, demonstrated the state government’s resolve to enhancing economic prosperity.
“The Ring Road, featuring six flyovers, and the Trans-Kalabari Road, with about eight flyovers totalling 14 flyovers, will bolster small and medium scale enterprises.
Also speaking, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, a former Acting Managing Director of NDDC, expressed confidence that the brainstorming of ideas among experts would enhance business prospects in the state.
She noted that Rivers people had long awaited the government’s efforts to facilitate business activities to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises’ (MSMEs) growth in Rivers.
“Several economic drivers will participate, and major investment decisions are going to be made during the summit.
“Those decisions will have immediate positive impacts on people’s lives in the short term, while also positioning the mindset of Rivers government.
“Likewise, there will be signups to certain investments in the state and the resuscitation of state assets,” she concluded. (NAN)
