UK Minister Lauds RSG On Youth Employment

Rivers State Government has been lauded on its role in providing alternative employment for youths of the state that have been involved in crime and bunkering activities in the past.

The United Kingdom Minister for Africa, Mr. Henry Bellingham gave the commendation yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt.

The U.K. Minister for Africa, who said he was impressed with the policies and programmes of the state government, particularly on alternative means of livelihood for the youths, stated “what you are doing to get to the root of the problem of the area by providing health care, education and agriculture deserve commendation”.

Mr. Bellingham, who noted that there had to be an alternative employment for future life of the youths, described the approach as the best approach to tackle the problem from the roots.

He restated the determination of the British government to intensify the already good bilateral relationship with Nigeria which has a historical antecedent of working together, noting that his country was interested in increasing the volume of trade and investment from UK companies, and emphasised the importance of long time investment.

“We are taking a look at the oil and gas sector and Rivers State is a very important part of Nigerian economy and I am aware that you want some UK firms to carry on with the investment in the businesses that they are doing here”, Mr. Bellingham stated.

Concerning travel advisory on Niger Delta, the UK Minister for Africa, said the new government and the new Minister would keep the process of review open, and thanked the state government for the warm reception accorded him in the state.

Earlier, the State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had told the foreign Minister that the travel advisory from the British government was affecting foreign investments in the state, and called for its review in view of the return of Peace to the state.

Governor Amaechi urged the government of the United Kingdom to tow the path of the Canadian Government, who upon the visit of the High Commissioner to the State has reviewed its travel advisory.

He explained that the restriction was affecting business partnership between both countries, especially in the quality of job that the contractors are doing, as some require experts that may not be available locally.

The governor further hinted that some companies from Turkey have indicated interest in coming to Rivers State, but travel advisory is usually the problem, and called for reconsideration.