Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (L), joined by the Rep. of Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr.Ade Ipaye (Deputy Chief of Staff to the V.P) (M), receives the original document of the Eco Industrial Park, proposed for Bayelsa State, from the Principal Partner, AD Consulting, Mrs. Jumoke Adenowo, during the 2ndBayelsa State Investment & Economic Forum, at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Thursday, urged the Federal Government and investors to partner with his administration in the development of investment opportunities in the state to drive its industrialisation efforts.

The Governor made the plea at the second edition of the Bayelsa State Investment and Economic Forum with the theme, “Unfolding Bayelsa State’s Industrial future,” declared open by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Yenagoa.

According to the governor, it pays willing investors to look at the direction of Bayelsa, as it is endowed with abundant resources and it would make a good economic sense for businesses to be sited close to their sources of raw materials.

He highlighted the areas in which they can have collaboration including the establishment of a world-class Eco-industrial park, power generation, Brass oil and gas free trade zone and the Agge Deep Sea port among other key projects.

“We are actually talking about an industrial park that has taken off. So, for those who are thinking and rightly so, how this wonderful concept can become a reality, we already have it in reality. It is on ground. We have Shell’s investment there of about N4 billion dollars already completed. We also have a Federal Government’s NIPP’s project that has just been privatised, which is also very expensive. All we are doing is to showcase it to the rest of the investing public and to assure everybody of our preparedness to partner going forward,” Dickson stated.

He said other notable projects in the state, when completed have the capacity to create wealth, employment generation and boost food production as well as increase the revenue profile of the State, adding that a large expanse of land has already been made available as incentive for investors in power generation at Imiringi, in Ogbia local government as well as Gbarantoru in Yenagoa.

In his remarks, the Vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye, called on the state government to adopt very strict codes of business ethics and zero tolerance for corruption, as vital guides in its investment drive.

“Investors want to see crimes under control as well as a secure and peaceful atmosphere for business. A lot of attention must therefore, be paid to the law enforcement and criminal justice sectors towards improving its speed, effectiveness and efficiency,” Osinbajo said.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, Barr. Kemela Okara said the 2-day summit was aimed at consolidating the gains already made in the previous summit. He explained that this year’s objective is to provide a focused, yet rich opportunities where the states can play a pivotal role in the transformation of the Nigerian economy