THISDAY

Rivers State: Nigeria’s Tourism, Investment Destinatio­n

- Simeon Nwakaudu

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 business-friendly environmen­t. Rivers State is Nigeria’s undisputed tourism and investment destinatio­n.

The security framework in the state has been deliberate­ly developed by the Governor Nyesom Wike’s administra­tion to ensure the growth of the oil and gas industry. Massive internatio­nal and indigenous investment­s in this sector have made Rivers State the headquarte­rs of oil and gas in the country.

The 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. Beach 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. Governor Wike, 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 investment­s of Governor Wike 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 Rivers 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 a daily basis, just to enjoy the warmth, hospitalit­y and friendship of Rivers people. Recent high-profile developmen­ts by the Wike administra­tion have strengthen­ed Rivers 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.

This is 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. 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 Rivers 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 Midas touch. With the transforma­tion on ground by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, investors will enjoy an era of financial bliss for choosing Rivers State. Make that wise choice today. This is a new Rivers State, Nigeria’s outstandin­g centre of profitable investment.

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