The vast untapped investment potentials of Ogoniland in Rivers State needs investors from around the globe to come and explore, the Ogoni Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (OGCCIMA) has said.
President of OGCCIMA, Chief Adoage Norteh said this during the Investors Lunch Hour Network with the theme: “Building Economic Bridges Across International Frontiers” on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, jointly organized by OGCCIMA and the Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF).
Chief Norteh stated that attracting investors to Ogoniland was key to transforming the economic fortunes of the area and Rivers State, as a whole, asserting that investments in Rivers State is requisite for creating an economic hub and reduction of poverty among residents of the State.
As stakeholders in the business community converged in Port Harcourt, the vast potentials of Ogoniland comprising Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai Local Government Areas, became the focal issue with calls by various stakeholders to increased intra-African trade relations.
The OGCCIMA President pointed out that the event, which theme was “Building Economic Bridges Across International Frontiers”, was put up to seek collaborations from both local and international investors as well as unveil the several potential investment attractions in Ogoniland which include Agriculture.
Also speaking, the Special Guest of Honour and High Commissioner of Rwanda to Nigeria, His Excellency, Stanislas Kamanzi asserted that Rwanda is a destination of choice for investors, expressing the willingness of the Rwandan Government under the leadership of President Paul Kagame to do business with investors from Rivers State.
Disclosing that it takes just six hours to register a business in Rwanda, Kamazi revealed that Rwanda has a tax regime that is most favourable to foreign investments aimed at attracting foreign direct investments (FDI), especially, new businesses, in line with its ease of doing business drive, while conveying his appreciation to the organizers of the event.
The Rwandan High Commissioner outline a range of investment opportunities available in his country such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, Manufacturing and Financial Services, among others, urging would-be investors to take advantage of these to grow their investment portfolios.
In his address, the National President of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Udeagbala described the event as timely, especially, as it focuses on the need to foster economic growth and development at a global level.
In his remarks, President of Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF), Ibifiri Bob-Manuel said the city of Port Harcourt was not only conceived around investments but is strategically positioned to drive investments in Africa.
Bob-Manuel, therefore, called for synergy among stakeholders that will improve intra-African investments and also eliminate the cultural challenge that often exist when Africans trade with foreigners.
The Rivers Entrepreneurs and Investors Forum (REIF) is a conglomeration of entrepreneurs and investors doing business to drive the local economy in Rivers State and beyond.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, John Yowika said that since oil and gas activities have been stalled for a while in Ogoni, it became imperative to look beyond oil and gas in Ogoniland, noting that Rwanda shares similar interests with Ogoni in Agriculture, hence the need to have this event.
Among the highlights of the event was a cultural display from the Ogoni ethnic nationality.
An interesting discussion is definitely worth comment. I do think that you need to publish more about this subject matter, it might not be a taboo subject but usually people do not speak about such topics. To the next! Cheers!!