BY PETER EGWUATU

The Rivers State government has promised to provide incentives that will reduce the cost of doing business to firms willing to invest in the state.

Speaking at the end of the first Rivers State Investors’ Forum tagged “Changes that Works” in Port Harcourt, last week, Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, assured that prospective companies and those already operating in the state would enjoy good security and constant power supply among others.

According to him, “ To be relevant in today’s investment climate capital goes to where it is guaranteed security. We have strengthened security apparatus in the state and now want to cut down the cost of doing business so that investors who come to cite their businesses in the state will make more profits. We are establishing a one-stop shop that will make business registration very fast and efficient,” he declared.

Amaechi added that the government would also ensure adequate power supply to industries owners in the state, stressing that Rivers State will be the first in Nigeria to have 24 hours power supply.

“We have 525 megawatts of power ready for distribution. We are going ahead to distribute and by the end of next year, we will achieve 24 hour electricity supply,” he said.

The governor noted that the improved business environment in the state had made many companies that left the state due to insecurity and poor infrastructure before to be relocating back to the state now.

“The fact that former Prime Minister of Britain, Mr. Gordon Brown is here for this investor’s forum tells you a lot about the security situation in Rivers State. The fact that a company such as Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) relocating its head office to Port Harcourt tells you a good story of how things have changed for the better in Rivers State,” he declared.

Speaking specifically on power supply, the Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Mr. Augustine Wokocha reemphasised that companies willing to establish in the state would enjoy constant electricity supply.

According to him, “ Rivers State was the first state to establish a full-fledge ministry to deliver electricity to its people and has successfully improved electricity supply in the state.

“Our vision is to have a Rivers State where electric power is available, reliable and affordable in every nook and cranny”Wokocha noted.

Similarly, our mission is to ensure that Rivers State meets its energy needs through a sustainable framework that will support the state’s economic growth and provide its citizenry with services that meets their expectations as fast growing economy.”

Wokocha explained that the Rivers State government has recorded significant success in the delivery of electricity in the state in line with its mission and vision statements, declaring that companies establishing the factories and offices of the state would enjoy steady power supply.