Wike Declares Favourable Investment Climate In Rivers …As Task Force Continues Recovery Of Govt Properties

Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says virtually all necessary measures have been taken by his administration to make Rivers State a haven for investors.
This, he said, has fundamentally reduced cases of multiple-taxation, and eliminated instances of harassment of businesses operating in the state in order to encourage private investment in the State.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Port Harcourt Branch of Globus Bank yesterday, the Governor said, “We have stopped harassment of businesses and multiple-taxation in the State.
“As a result, several businessmen are trooping to the state. We have created the right environment for investors to operate.”
Governor Wike stated that the investments of the State Government in the security sector have paid off, as the state has been declared safe for investments by the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
He urged the new bank to offer employment to qualified Rivers people, saying that is the only condition under which the Rivers State Government will support the institution.
“I am only willing to do business with you, if Rivers people are employed and given prominent placements in the bank”, he said
In his remarks, the Managing Director (MD) of Globus Bank, Mr. Elias Igbinakenzua, said the presence of the bank in Rivers State shows the economic importance of the State.
According to him, as the second largest economy in the country with 21 percent of the nation’s crude oil, the bank resolved to open its second branch in Rivers State.
While noting that the Rivers State Government has improved the investment climate of the State by encouraging private investors, the MD urged “the government and people of Rivers State to support the new Bank because it will help in driving the empowerment of Rivers people”.
He noted that the bank will work towards improving the economy of the State.
In another development, the Rivers State Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties has directed all illegal occupants of government properties across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state to vacate such properties.
The Task Force stated that it is working diligently to ensure that it takes possession of all government properties illegally occupied by unauthorised persons.
Addressing journalists after operations by the Task Force yesterday, Secretary of the Task Force, Chief Hanny Woko, said the Task Force has shown presence in four estates in Eleme and Etche Local Government Areas.
The Rivers State Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties carried operations at the Eleme Gardens Estate, Mega Trailer Park, Ebubu, Eleme, Sam Ewang Estate, Igbo Etche, and Palm view Estate, Igbo Etche.
He said: “Eleme Gardens is a massive government property acquired during Dr Peter Odili’s tenure. The Estate was built by the Federal Government, but bought and fully paid for by the Rivers State Government. The Estate has over 100 hectares, fifty hectares on either side of the road.
“We have shown presence at the Estate and we have informed the illegal occupants to vacate the Estate. We don’t foresee any resistance because they are only squatting. They have been issued the relevant quit notice”, he said.
The Task Force Secretary continued that, “We appreciate the fact that no portion of the land has been carved out for illegal sales. They are all intact. Just the bungalows are vandalised.
“We use this medium to warn anyone illegally staying in government properties wherever they are located across the 23 Local Government Areas to vacate and deliver the properties to the State Government”, he charged, noting that the Task Force will not allow any without approved allocation, illegally take over Government Properties.
“Igbo Etche, Iriebe and all Government lands in the 23 Local Government Areas, if you are there, please leave. There will be no room to tolerate illegal occupants.
“This place can accommodate high class civil servants in the state. The Governor knows how best this place will be used for the benefit of the State”, he said.
At the Palm View Estate, Igbo Etche, Woko expressed regret that private individuals have invaded the place and have illegally carved out plots of land for themselves and started building.
“We are calling on intending buyers and those who illegally bought land to vacate the Estate. If you have money to waste, then continue building. This is because any illegal structure here would be demolished
“We are going to recover this estate 100 percent and hand it over to the state Government. To members of the public, before you buy land anywhere, carry out due diligence”, he warned.