Rivers Economy Improving – Wike

Despite negative propaganda by the opposition to paint Rivers State in bad light, the State economy, especially Port Harcourt, is witnessing business boom, the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said.
He made the revelation last Saturday, at the 20th anniversary of Air France/KLM in Port Harcourt.
Wike expressed the view that operations of Air France and other airlines in the state indicate that there was steady flow of businesses within the city as international flights continue to thrive.
He said, “We like your services, but you have to take into consideration every class of passenger because Port Harcourt is getting busy every day. There is a difference now”.
He continued, “For us, it’s a priority for government to provide a conducive environment and we are taking security very seriously”.
The Rivers State chief executive reassured that all over the world, insecurity has become a major challenge, saying that it was wrong for anybody to label Rivers State as insecure, while citing the terror attacks in the United Kingdom, and other advanced countries of the world.
He, therefore, assured that, “We will not relent; we will continue to do our best.”
Wike used the ceremony to disclose plans to expand the road leading to Presidential Hotel in the new GRA to reduce the traffic logjam in the area.
French Consulate, Laurent Poloceaux said French businesses are thriving in Rivers State with schools, businesses and Air France.
Air France Manager, Jean Raul Tanzin said that Air France became the first international airline to fly into the Port Harcourt International Airport 20 years ago.
He said that Air France has weathered challenges to deliver quality services to the people of Rivers State and other Niger Delta states.
Also speaking, outgoing General Manager of Air France, Gala Duirer, said the airline has operated for 20 years in Rivers State, from a modest operation of one flight per week in 1997, to five flights per week in 2007.
He added that despite the economic recession, the Air France has remained resilient, and has improved on its corporate social responsibility with non-governmental organisations and government.
Duirer thanked the people of Rivers State for their patronage, and promised that Air France would improve its services in the years ahead.
Also, at the commissioning of the Echelon Height Hotel, last Saturday, Wike said that the hotel constructed by indigenes of the state is an encouragement to other persons to invest their resources in the state.
He said that the huge population and economic activities across the state, indicate that the state is viable for investments.
The governor said that the state government will partner with the hotel, but urged the management to pay their taxes regularly.