The Rivers State Government says it has had a mutually beneficial relationship with France over the years.
The State Chief Executive Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this during the 2017 France National Day Celebration in Port Harcourt.
Represented by his Deputy Dr. Mrs. Ipalibo Harry Banigo the Governor said the relationship between Rivers State Nigeria and France goes a long way back through corporation and investments in the areas of agriculture, fisheries and manufacturing.
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R-L. Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, giving an address during a Cocktail marking the French International Day Celebration in Port Harcourt. With her is Consul General of France in Lagos, Mr. Laurent Polonceaux and Honorary Consul of France in Port Harcourt, Mr. Fracois Le Coca at Total Village Lobby and Gymnasium Rumuogba, Port Harcourt. He expressed regrets that while French Nationals were out in the streets and beaches celebrating democracy of several centuries and good memories last year, terrorists struck to cut short the celebration. |
According to the Governor Nigeria have also had a couple of terrorist attacks through the menace of the Boko haram insurgency in the North East Region of the Country.
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| Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo (Right), being welcomed by the Consul General of France in Lagos, Mr. Laurent Polonceaux (Middle) and Honorary Consul of France in Port Harcourt, Mr. Fracois Le Coca (Left) during a Cocktail marking the French International Day Celebration at Total Village Lobby and Gymnasium Rumuogba, Port Harcourt. |
Governor Wike said contrary to what some detractors would say, Rivers State is very safe for investment because the present Administration is working assiduously in collaboration with the security agencies to reduce to the barest minimum the issues of crime and criminality that has affected our region.
“The war against crime is continuous because to us it is very important that our investors stay, we have created the enabling environment and given the necessary logistics support to the security agencies to tackle criminals head-on.” Governor Wike said.
According to him “the importance of Rivers State to the nation is very clear to us and we take that very seriously”, stressing that it is very important that our investors remain here because it is safe for investors and will continue to remain safe.
He said we have heard stories of pipeline vandalism elsewhere but the story is different in Rivers State, because of our political will and commitment to tackle criminality.
“We want you to be our ambassador to bring in more companies, more investors to the State” the State Chief Executive further said.
While commending Air France for consistently operating in Port Harcourt over the years which he attributed to the peacefulness of the city, the Governor expressed the need to further collaborate with France to ensure that more manufacturing industries come back on stream to generate more jobs for our youths.
Earlier the Consul General of France in Lagos Mr. Laurent Polonceaux said the beauty of democracy is the ability of citizens to freely choose their leaders stressing that the coming of President Emmanuel Macron will strengthen the bond between the two countries.
Also speaking the Honorary Consul of France in Port Harcourt Mr. Francois Le Coca said France would continue to partner with Nigeria and the Rivers State Government to attract more development to the State.
Owupele Benebo
Head of Press Unit
Deputy Governor’s Office Port Harcourt.
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