Mr Ibifuro Bobmanuel, the President, Rivers State Investors’ and Entrepreneurs Forum, on Tuesday urged the state government to evolve programmes that would make the state investment friendly.
Addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Bobmanuel said that the spate of violence going on in some parts of the state was capable of driving away potential investors.
He said that investors willing to invest in Nigeria would prefer going to more peaceful states instead of investing in the crisis prone areas like Rivers.
According to him, the state government should design a proactive action plan aimed at fighting violence and criminality in the state to a standstill.
Bobmanuel said that peace and orderliness remain strong preconditions for investors’ choice of locations.
“The effect is that the economy of the state will not grow; employment will not be generated, meaning that people may not enjoy a good life.
“But, when new business comes into the state, new job opportunities are created, local economies are stimulated, meaning that people will enjoy a better life,” he said.
Bobmanuel urged traditional rulers and opinion leaders in the communities to support moves by the state government to tackle insecurity.
