Rivers As Investors’ Haven

Endowed by nature as the nation’s  treasure base, Rivers State is blessed with vast deposits of oil and gas, two functional seaports, an international airport, revived rail network, vast arable land, enhanced  security network and a  business friendly environment.  Rivers State, therefore,  is Nigeria’s undisputed tourism and investment destination.
The security  framework  in the state has been deliberately developed by the present administration led by Chief Nyesom Wike  to ensure the growth of the oil and gas industry. Massive international and indigenous  investments  in this sector have made the state the headquarters  of oil and gas in the country.
With access to extensive  arable land, water resources and two of the largest fertilizer production plants in the country, backed by an agricultural  policy  that favours public private partnership model for commercial agriculture , Rivers State provides a platform for profitable crop and fish farming for local and international investors to exploit .
The tourism industry  has been robustly  nurtured to attract other Nigerians  and foreigners  to the State.   With resorts, the new Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, an international airport, two seaports , good network of roads and railway line, tourists have found Rivers State attractive.
The kudos goes to  Governor Wike who,  since assuming  the  leadership  of the state, has created an atmosphere  that promotes  tourism.
Electricity  supply in the industrial regions of the state has been marvelous as a result of the presence of gas turbines at Afam and Omoku.  The power situation has been made more attractive by the huge  investments  in the independent electrification of key public facilities in the state, just to free up generated electricity for business purposes.
Business concerns interested in investing in other mineral resources will find out that the state  is a destination of choice. It has several solid minerals in commercial  quantity.
Access to quality  healthcare in Rivers State is guaranteed.  From tertiary  medicare to primary healthcare, investors are assured of access to high class medical professionals  and  facilities.  The Braithwaite Specialist Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt  has been upgraded by the Wike administration, while the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and hospitals owned by international oil and gas companies are open to those in need of quality healthcare services .
In Nigeria, Port Harcourt  is the home of decent, classy hotels. Visitors troop into the city on daily basis, just to enjoy the warm hospitality  and friendship  of the Rivers people.  Recent high-profile developments  by the Wike administration  have strengthened the state’s  position as a national hub for hospitality.
Connection into Rivers State is the  easiest  in the country.  It boasts  of all forms of transportation-  air, road, railway and marine transportation.  The international airport, two seaports and the railway have created  avenues in and out of the state.
The state is, no doubt, a fertile land for manufacturing.  The Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout has been upgraded by the Wike administration to attract local and  international investors to the state.  The investors  are trooping into the state to take advantage of the  business friendly climate.
Return  on investments in Rivers State  is the best in the country. Investors  have access to ready-made local  and  international markets to sell their products, while the Wike administration  has strengthened  the security  architecture and offered tax reliefs/holidays  to woo new investors to the state.  If you are yet to be in the state for your  lifetime investments, you are missing out on the best opportunity.
Rivers State at 50 is being led by a golden governor who has a Midas touch. With the transformation  on ground by Governor Wike , investors  will enjoy an era of financial bliss for choosing  the state.
Nwakaudu is a Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor on Electronic Media.

Simeon Nwakaudu