Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has restated his commitment to handing over to posterity a vibrant economy anchored on good infrastructure, investment friendly environment and transparent stewardship. He has therefore enjoined people of the state, particularly those in the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro economic zone to key into the state’s transformation agenda by taking practical steps to develop the area into an enviable economic zone.
Amaechi gave the charge yesterday while declaring open the 1st Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Economic Zone Development Summit 2012 at Hotel Presidential , Port Harcourt.
Represented by his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru, the governor charged the people of the zone to remain united and focused and to seek partnerships to develop the area.
Recalling initiatives taken to develop the state , the governor said that the on-gong Bori-Andoni/Opobo Unity road and current efforts to connect the zone to the national grid will help attract investment to the area.
He commended the member representing Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon Dakuku Peterside for initiating the summit, which he described as timely and urged others to emulate him.
Earlier, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, Hon Emeka Ihedioha had pledged the commitment of the House of Representatives to efforts to develop the zone.
This, he said, the House would do by ensuring passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) with the aspirations and interest of host communities fully guaranteed.
Ihedioha also assured that the Petroleum Host Community Fund enshrined in the PIB would remain sacrosanct, and called on the summiteers to take advantage of the services of the Nigeria Content Development Board to benefit from the oil and gas sector. He also sued for peace in the zone to ensure the inflow of investments
In his lecture, the United Nations Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa,Dr Carlos Lopes called for private sector and government synergy in the development of the zone.
In his speech, convener of the summit and member representing Andoni Opobo Federal Constituency in the House of Representative, Hon Dakuku Peterside had noted that with its enormous contributions to the nations economy, the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro economic zone still lacks good roads, but for the unity road, is not linked to the national grid but for the effort of Andoni Local Government and lacks pipe borne water.
Calling for an end to the politics of divide and rule, Peterside said this situation must change. He assured that after the summit, the area will not be the same again, it will leave no stone unturned in maximising its God-given resources for the benefit of the people.
Source: OgoniNews
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