ACEF: Wike Seeks FG’s Approval

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has declared  that  the  Rivers State Government will host the forthcoming African Caribbean Economic Forum (ACEF), if the Federal Government  gives a written approval.
He spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt, at the weekedn, when the President of the African Caribbean Network Foundation, organisers of the African Caribbean Economic Forum, Ambassador Justin Duru, announced that the Federal Government has approved Rivers State as the host of the biennial inter-continental business summit.
Wike said he was not sure whether the Federal Government will allow an international business summit to be hosted in Rivers State because of the elevation of politics to disheartening heights under the present dispensation.
He said: “I don’t think the Federal Government will allow international businessmen, diplomats and heads of government to converge on Port Harcourt for the promotion of the positive development strides.
“When we were hosting international football matches, for political reasons, the Federal Government stopped the matches and transferred them to other locations. For us, to accept to host the African Caribbean Economic Forum, the Federal Government must make a written commitment to that effect”.
The  governor said that other than a written  commitment, the Federal Government may sabotage the state government after it has committed  time  resources to the programme.
“The type of politics  being played today in the country  is unfortunate”, he said.
In his remarks, President of the African Caribbean Network Foundation, organisers of ACEF, Ambassador Justin Duru, announced that agencies of the Federal  Government in liaison with the group have approved Rivers State as the host of the biennial inter-continental forum.
He explained  that the African Caribbean Economic Forum will attract business leaders and government officials from Africa and the Caribbean to promote areas of mutual economic benefits.
He said: “The African Caribbean Economic Forum is three-day event to promote tourism and trade between Africa and the Caribbean. There will be exhibitions by participating organisations and countries”.