Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has used the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) in New York to showcase the state’s investment potentials and woo local and international investors.
Fubara, who spoke with journalists on the sidelines of the conference on Tuesday, said his administration was using the global platform to give visibility to Rivers State and highlight its economic endowments, particularly in the oil and gas sector.
The governor said his participation at the UNGA was aimed at opening up business opportunities for investors and attracting financing to the state.
He said Rivers, given its strategic position in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, remained a major investment destination, adding that other sectors of the state’s economy would also be showcased to prospective investors.
Fubara said, “The issue is very simple. We’re trying to give visibility to the state and also showcase the areas where God has really endowed us in the oil and gas sector and other aspects of the state.
“I strongly believe that at the end of this conference and other side meetings, business opportunities will be made open and presented to interested investors who might have very serious and immediate needs to come to our dear state, knowing full well the position of Rivers State in the oil and gas industry.
“I also strongly believe that we are also going to make some inroad into financing and investors opportunities for our dear state.”
The governor said the investment drive was in line with the economic reforms of his administration, particularly the establishment of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA) as a one-stop shop for facilitating and protecting investments.
He said the engagements at UNGA would complement the activities of RSIPA and strengthen the state’s efforts to attract investments.
Fubara assured prospective investors that Rivers remained peaceful, stable and open for business, with opportunities in oil and gas, agriculture, blue economy, manufacturing and renewable energy.
He said Rivers would remain visible at the global meeting, expressing optimism that the state would return home with new investment opportunities.
The state is among the Nigerian sub-nationals participating actively in UNGA 81, with engagements scheduled with development finance institutions, multinational corporations and diaspora investors.