By Samuel Oyadongha
Yenagoa—Governor Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State, yesterday, blamed the near absence of investors in the state on security threats, even as he dismissed rumour that he would reshuffle his cabinet.

The Governor, who stressed the need for re-branding of the state at a programme tagged 48 hours with Sylva, noted with sadness that in spite of the enormous potentials of the state, it has remained relatively unknown in the international community due to the negative activities brought about by militancy.

Sylva said, “the image being presented to the rest of the world by the western media is one of the major reasons why investors are turning their back on the state.”

“No reasonable investor would put down his/her money in a state where the security is not guaranteed. This has been our problem. Anywhere we go, they make us to realize that the state is not investment friendly.”

The Governor added that this informed the invitation of a foreign firm to repackage the state and make it more acceptable to the international community.

“Re-branding is all about how we present ourselves to the rest of the world, nationally and internationally.

“There is need for the people of the state to share the vision of great Bayelsa but the question has always been, how are we projecting the state? Criticizing the leadership of the state is not enough but what meaningful contribution are we making to move the state forward.”

“The records had shown that no past leadership in the state had ever been commended, even my own is the worst. There is need for us to change our mindset only if we want the state to move forward,” he said.

The governor called for partnership with other sectors, including private sector in order to enhance human and infrastructural development in the state.

Sylva also used the opportunity to put to rest the speculated cabinet reshuffle, saying “I do not believe in disposing of political appointees on daily basis. If things are being done wrongly, call their attention to it.

No man is infallible. I don’t believe in the idea of relieving people of their jobs at will. If they make mistake, point it out to them and give them the opportunity correct themselves. In the civil service, there is an opportunity to learn on the job. “