The Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit obviously excites the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, who has highlighted the various benefits such event holds for the State.

In an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, China said the summit will provide a suitable platform for critical and strategic discourse on the economic and investment potentials of the State.

“The summit is to look at where the Governor has done well and where to adjust. They will review the roads and other projects.

“The Governor is the chief host and so he will unveil his plans and incentives.

“Without a summit, he started the 20,000 housing project, roads to riverine areas, etc. So, the summit will show him priorities, and EoDB, new offices to enhance business, incentives, tax waivers, etc.”

He also stated that one of the expected fallouts of the Summit is that it will jumpstart competition among States in terms of structuring and driving their economic agenda to facilitate investment greater opportunities.

“Abia State is now boasting with steady power. Rivers was first in that area. The healthy competition between Abia and Rivers will begin. Major impact will be rapid development in places such as Oyigbo as gateway towns.”

He urged the Governor to do more of listening during the Summit with a view to articulating a roadmap of ideas necessary for laying the right foundation for the State’s economy to take off, expressing optimism that Governor Fubara will do well.

“The state government has shown focus and value so far despite the situation on ground, but can do more. If he settles down, he will do wonders.”

“As he listened in the Housing sector, he will listen in other areas. His public private partnership (PPP) system in the Housing scheme was great. What worries land developers is land acquisition and land papers. Sometimes they kill people just to get land.”

“The Governor secured the land and made the developer to only face building. He also asked the developer to take direct labour, and that would give jobs to over 60,000 people.

“They are hiring many people. About 10 industries are involved in that project; sand industry, cement industry, electrical industry, etc. He wants to show the world that he is ready and that Rivers State is ready.”

The Two-Day Economic and Investment Summit is billed for Wednesday and Thursday, May 22 and 23, 2024 at the Obi Wali International Conference Center, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Nigeria’s Vice President and a former Governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, is expected to chair the Summit, while a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Emir of Kano, His Royal Majesty, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, CON will be the Keynote Speaker.

According to the organizers, the Summit aims at bringing together captains of industry, foster partnerships for the economic development of the state, and present would-be investors the opportunity to expand their portfolios.