A Real Estate strategist, My-ACE China has advised Rivers State Governor to consolidate on his already demonstrated will power to reinvent the wheels of investment by appointing hardnosed technocrats into positions that would drive the investment processes in the State.

Mr. China gave this advice on Thursday, May 23, 2024 on the sidelines of the Two-Day Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

“For this Governor to sit down and use his precious time to hear us, it shows that everything discussed, he has the intention and commitment to execute it. “

“With what I have seen today, I say to investors out there to please watch out for Rivers State. The Governor has shown a willingness to execute what was agreed here. I think we can bet on him and test the weather.”

He stated that having shown he means business in changing the economic and investment landscape of the State, it was imperative he appoints strategic players who understand the terrain in order to achieve set objectives.

“We find that when the principal political actors appoint people of politics to economic positions, they might not have the capacity to make things easy for investors.”

“So, we call for key positions to be manned by hardnosed technocrats who have no political biases and exposures.”

“Ministries such as for Trade, Marine Economy, Blue Economy, these should go only to seasoned technocrats from Rivers State. These determine the economy.”

“Look for non-political figures. They are required to deliver value. We investors can feel free to go to them for ease of the business.”

He explained that the Real Estate sector has a lot to derive from the Blue Economy that is now the rave of the moment, pointing out that there is need for infrastructural scale-up, especially, around the riverine areas with a view to opening those areas for greater investment opportunities.

“One of the limiting factors in Real Estate is access roads and other infrastructure. You heard about the person who took the waterways and arrived Lagos in 15 minutes instead of three hours. That is what can happen when infrastructure is developed around waters.”

“Properties across waterways will greatly appreciate. The infrastructure around waterways will boost in value and investors will play around it. Dubai is even creating artificial waterways to make properties more valuable.”

“Properties in the beaches are far more valuable than those in the hinterland. So, well organized and well harnessed waterways will expose the value of property around them.”

What I am saying is that lands locked for years in the waters will now become very valuable and very useful. Some people will pay anything for houses in beaches. Children like rollercoaster while adults go for boat ride. I will rather pay 10 times to have my house in the beach.”

He expressed his delight over the growing competition and peer review mechanism amongst the State Governors, disclosing that after its properties were destroyed in Lagos, Landmark Beach is currently being wooed by the Akwa Ibom State Government to come invest there.

“I love what is happening in Nigeria now, different states are wooing investors to come over. So, there is competition. Recently, we learnt that Landmark Beach that was lamenting in Lagos has been contacted by Akwa Ibom State Government for discussions. If they give him incentives, there will be no Landmark Beach in Lagos but in Akwa Ibom.”

Mr. China, who is also referred to as the Mayor of Housing, indicated that his investment in Real Estate is aimed at making Port Harcourt as destination of choice for residential and business purposes, stressing the need to crash what he referred the Rivers-Lagos dichotomy in Real Estate.

“I am the Mayor of Housing, not the Mayor of Empty Houses. If you build in a location not attractive to migrants, you will end up with empty houses. Part of the passion I have in housing in Rivers State is to reduce the Rivers–Lagos dichotomy especially in estates.”

“We have a lot of expatriates and big shots working in Port Harcourt but living elsewhere especially in Lagos. We want to attract people to live in Port Harcourt and do business.”

“Land is no longer in production. It is a finite product. If more people come to Rivers State, it will make my business more viable because first impact would be land to build houses. If people do not come, it’s not good for me.”