August 12, (THEWILL) – There is a genuine move to change the story about Bayelsa State being merely a civil service State with no major private investments.
After four years of providing critical infrastructures particularly roads to link every Senatorial Districts with remarkable improvement in the security system, it is now time to lead the investment drive and attract new businesses.
Bayelsa State is blessed with huge deposits of crude oil and gas and other mineral and natural resources including agricultural products to support the ever-growing agro-allied industries globally.
After several rounds of visits, engagements and interactions with known Nigerian Business moguls and credible investors at home and abroad, Gov. Douye Diri has placed Bayelsa on the business map as a choice destination for investment opportunities.
Already, interesting partnerships are being considered with several foreign countries with the recent exchange of visits by High Commissioners, Ambassadors and representatives of international organisations and Business Groups.
Indeed, a new template for solid and genuine investments in Oil, Gas, Education and infrastructure is being laid out and the prospects are looking great!
Development advocates and progressive Bayelsans are already receiving the investment drive with positive energy for greater possibilities.
Interestingly, a number of the public commentators from Bayelsa State are truly not in denial of the great impact made so far in the critical sectors of governance under the current administration and their candid request is for the government to shift attention to industrialisation to boost the local economy and create jobs for the teeming youths.
Under the prosperity administration of Governor Douye Diri, Bayelsa has become that choice destination where the security of lives and property has become a priority.
Under this administration, infrastructures that open the state to hidden wealth in the East, West and Central Senatorial districts of the State have been delivered.
The Central Senatorial road linking Yenagoa to Oporoma and Ukubie in the oil-rich Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road connecting the Bayelsa West to the State capital and the historic Nembe/Brass Road linking the Bayelsa East to the sea from Yenagoa, has opened up several riverine communities.
This is no mean feat for a government in this age of economic decline. Such strategic projects could only be undertaken by a man of vision, determined to make a difference and give hope to the people.
This was part of Gov. Diri’s promise while taking oath for a second term in office.
According to him, “It is the strong belief of this Prosperity Government that our citizens should have a more active and direct role in shaping and participating in the economy.”
“From small business owners and entrepreneurs to industry leaders and investors, everyone has a part to play in driving the economic growth and prosperity of this state. With this vision in mind, we have developed a comprehensive and ambitious 10-year economic plan for the state. This plan outlines our strategies and initiatives to diversify and strengthen our economy, create jobs, attract investments, and improve the standard of living for all Bayelsans. This is a deliberate plan to open up the areas with roads for new economic opportunities.”
Gov. Douye Diri, armed with the evident progress recorded on the three senatorial roads has continued to approach prospective investors and they have seen good prospects of gainful investment with an understanding and reasonable administrator in the Chief Executive of Bayelsa State.
A smart government of Prosperity has keyed into the Federal Government’s strategic agenda to tap into the wealth in the ocean by also establishing a ministry in charge of the Marine and Blue Economy.
In line with the adage, ‘charity begins at home’, Gov. Diri told Bayelsans at a recent function in Yenagoa to invest at home. He implored leaders of the state, whose businesses are outside the State, to return home and contribute to the economic growth of the State.
Gov. Diri also took the same investment drive and a rich state portfolio to the AFREXIM Bank’s Annual Meeting (AAM), in Nassau, The Bahamas. He announced his resolve on his administration’s commitment to sustainable development, job creation and industrialisation.
Though the attendance of the AFREXIM Bank’s Annual Meeting (AAM), in Nassau, was at the invitation of the bank’s President, Prof. Benedict Oramah, the attendance recorded assurances and willingness of these firms to establish industries in Bayelsa State and enter a partnership with the government in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), basis to address the nagging issue of youth employment in Bayelsa.
The AFREXIM Bank’s president, Prof. Oramah also assured Bayelsa of partnership and funding support for the proposed Eco-Industrial Park project.
In furtherance of the Nassau meetings, Sen. Diri visited the Dangote Refinery, Dangote Petrochemical Plant and the Dangote Port located in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos to explore the opportunities of a possible investment agreement. It is looking great so far.
Bayelsa State indeed has started witnessing the series of engagements and consultations with the government of the United Arab Emirates and Trinidad and Tobago with business consideration with the prosperity administration in the areas of Gas, Agriculture, Industrial Park and Seaport Development.
While the United Arab Emirates said it will support Bayelsa State in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region to develop its gas resources, agriculture and seaport, the Trinidad and Tobago government has indicated readiness to partner on Industrial Park development.
The partnership, according to the Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner in Nigeria, Amb. Wendell De Leandro, who led a delegation to Yenagoa, explained that when operational, the industrial estate would be powered to produce feedstock, urea and other byproducts, which would in turn create thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
The UAE Ambassador to Nigeria, Salem Saeed Al-Shamsi, who appreciated Governor Diri’s visit, noted that it was the first time they were meeting but that he had followed developments in Bayelsa and was impressed with his performance in office.
Al-Shamsi commended the governor for establishing a new ministry on Marine and Blue Economy to tap into and develop the state’s maritime potential.
He also said information available to him was that Bayelsa was peaceful and that his country was willing to collaborate and support the state and would welcome a visit by a Bayelsa delegation to Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital city anytime soon.
“The UAE is ready to discuss any area of interest between Bayelsa and Abu Dhabi and willing to support the state towards developing its oil and gas resources, its agricultural sector and the seaport. You have just established a Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. As a maritime environment, the establishment of this ministry is very commendable”.
“The Dubai Ports will meet with your team and they can discuss how to develop your seaport. We will arrange a meeting with the ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) team on oil and gas development as well as with our agriculture minister.”
Also, recently Governor Diri led a delegation to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone in Cotonou being developed by the global business group, Arise Integrated Industrial Platform.
The Governor informed that the meeting with Mr Létondji Beheton, Arise Country Head, Benin Republic and Mr Suren Abeywickrema, Arise Country Head for Nigeria was fruitful as he explored the possibility of replicating the Cotonou business initiative in key areas of power generation, manufacturing (glass, ceramics, construction materials, refining petrochemicals, agro-processing (palm oil, rice, cassava), aquaculture and fisheries in Bayelsa State.
A return visit is being expected in Bayelsa State to enable the Arise Team to appreciate the huge potential in oil and gas, silica, fisheries and others as well as to firm up the plan.
Bayelsans are toasting to the aggressive and genuine investment drive that is expected to transform the state from a civil service state to one of Nigeria’s gateways to the international market.
According to the vision of the present administration, the combined impact of an industrial park, a seaport, power generating parks and a refinery will boost the socio-economic development, a great vision the people have waited to come to reality for many years.
No doubt, the current administration deserves the support and understanding of the people in this journey towards the industrialisation of Bayelsa State.
*** written by Ebikake Johnson
