British High Commission to Partner Rivers to Boost State Economy

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The British High Commission in Nigeria has declared plans to partner the Rivers State Government to ensure the economic growth of the state.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Ben Llewellyn-Jones, who disclosed this, said the partnership would be done through diverse business investment and wealth-creation initiatives.

Llewellyn-Jones stated this when he led a delegation of the British High Commission from Lagos on a visit to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

He said the meeting with the governor was to intimate him of the planned expansion of business development and investment opportunities by British companies.

The aim, according to Llewellyn-Jones, was “to improve basic public services, enhance security, create job opportunities and help the economy to grow.”

The British Deputy High Commissioner added that the initiative was also to foster a better and stronger diplomatic relationship between the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

He pointed out that there are already many British companies doing business in the state and contributing to its economy, “but it was pertinent to review and seek encouraging conditions to expand bilateral opportunities.”

Governor Fubara had recently declared Rivers State as one of the safest and most peaceful states for businesses in Nigeria.

The governor, who made this known during the visit of the leadership of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to Government House in Port Harcourt, stressed that the state has a conducive environment for doing business.

He assured them of his administration’s commitment to providing security and the enabling environment for people to live and do business in the state.

The governor said some people were skeptical of a peaceful political transition in Rivers State, but were proven wrong by the turn out of events as the state has remained peaceful.

Fubara said it was imperative for all critical stakeholders to work towards solidifying the prevailing peace and security in Rivers State, and promised that his administration would embark on projects that will have positive impact on the lives of the people.

“We are serious in everything we do; we will run a consultative government and get the input of all stakeholders to move the state forward. It’s our responsibility as a government to dispense good governance to the people and consolidate on the development already on ground.”