Rivers Crisis Distracts Business, Dev, Real Governance – Membere- Otaji

Nigeria’s frontline business leader, Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, has said the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State is not helping business development and real governance, calling on parties involved to sheathe their swords.
This was contained in  a press statement made available to the press by his media aide, Anderson Hart, in Port Harcourt, recently.
Membere- Otaji noted that in recent months, most of the negative political news in the country have come from Rivers State, which, to him, is not only bad for business and investment, but also distracts real governance and economic development in the State.
“It deeply pains me that my State is daily being dragged into the mud”, he said.
This call, according to the release,  has become necessary as he  is presently the highest member of the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN), not only in Rivers State but the entire South-South of Nigeria.
This is also in line with  his position as the Deputy President, Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).
The OPSN member, who was Chairman of the West African Glass Plc and  also a Council member of both the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping and Nigerian Institute of Management, further observed that the political heat was not only affecting the state, but the nation  in general.
He argued on the premise that Rivers State was not only the headquarters of the nation’s energy source, but also its major source of income.
According to him,  this current era of  social media and online news/publications can negatively affect  the nation in the international community,  as well as serve as distraction to Mr. President in his bid to reposition the country.
He also noted that in a state there is only one Executive Governor and one government with the judiciary and legislature as branches.
“Finally, I must conclude with the Shakespearian quote often used as words of wisdom by the late sage, a prominent fighter for an independent Nigeria and its first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe. My fellow Rivers people in all we do, let’s put Rivers State first”, he said.

King Onunwor