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Rivers More Attractive To Investors, Wike Insists ..Inaugurates Multi-Chain Supermarket
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has said that he was delighted that measures taken by his administration to make the state an investment destination have continued to yield results.
One of such recent evidence was the formal opening of the HyperCity Supermarket, located at the Eastern Bye-pass Junction, Ogbu-nu-Abali community in Port Harcourt Local Government Area.
Wike was on hand to formally inaugurate the supermarket, last Wednesday, and opened it for daily business transaction.
The governor said the land on which the supermarket was sited used to be a mangrove forest from where criminals terrorise the adjoining Ogbu-nu-Abali community and motorists.
With his administration sand-filling the area, Wike noted how attractive it became to the owner of HyperCity Supermarket who haddecided to establish his venture there.
Concerning growing the business stakes of the state, Wike said his administration was more interested in anything that would attract investment and create jobs for Rivers people.
“But government took it upon itself to make sure that criminals don’t continue to thrive here. We owe the economy of the state to grow. We owe to provide security for businessmen and women, and security of communities.
“You have seen how beautiful it looks, it cost us money to sand-filled this area. Just like people are approaching us now at the other site that they want to establish this and that. We feel happy and encouraged.
“The duty of government is to provide enabling environment. I want investors to come to the state. When investors come to the state, our people will be employed. When our people are employed, government will collect taxes and use those taxes and do other things for the state.”
Wike commended the management of HyperCity Supermarket for keeping to the agreed business timeline concerning the use of the land they secured from government.
The governor said since his administration was ending soon, any investor that has secured land for use for business must begin to actualise that purpose or lose the land.
“Just like we said that anybody that wants land from Rivers State Government, you’ll tell us the duration.
“Because in previous administration, people come and tell government they want to do this, they want to do that. And then, government will give them the land, and then you’ll find out that in five or six years, nothing has happened.
“Before you know it, they take government land and sell and make more money or use the government land as collateral for loan.
Wike recalled how the land on which Silverbird Cinema is located along the AbonnemaWhaff Road was also secured by an investor from the state government but instead of concentrating on the business purposes, used it to borrow money.
Today, the governor expressed the regret that state government was struggling to regain the land from AMCON that seized it from Silverbird for defaulting in repaying the loan it took from the bank.
“Today, you know where you have Silverbird Cinema that is government landed property. You know that was where Obi Wali Cultural Centre used to be. But somebody came and told government they’re going to build something underground and this and that, and government gave the land.
“You know what the person did? He took our land and went and took loan from the bank without building what is supposed to be there. AMCON now came to seize the property that the person did not pay the loan. And today, we are struggling to take it back.”
Wike enjoined the management to provide employment to members of the host community and Rivers youths.
He also insisted that such indigenous staff must be offered requisite training that will enable them grow to become management staff of the company.
In his speech, Managing Director of HyperCity Supermarket, Mr. Sunny Chuwla, said HyperCity is a modern retail store based on Hypermarket store format l.
He stated that they offer unparalleled choice of local and international products cutting across the entire spectrum of consumable needs of a family under One Roof.
“HyperCITY story started a year ago. When we were given the opportunity to invest here, it came with a condition that we need to open the store before Dec. 2022, or the land will be revoked without excuses.
“Today, we are glad that we have opened the 1st Store much before the deadline. Our second store is also lined up for opening very soon.
“We all know that retail is one of the largest employment sectors in the world and as at today, HyperCity has generated over 200 direct and indirect jobs to the Rivers people in this single store.”
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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