The Rivers State Government says it is committed to building the agricultural sector and utilize the huge potentials the State has for the benefit of the Rivers People.
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| Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo exchanging pleasantries with the Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Mr. Knut Lein (2nd Left) and the Director Africa Norwegian Seafood Council, Mr. Trond Kostveit (Right), during a Courtesy Visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on the 23rd Sept. 2021. |
The State Chief Executive, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stated this while speaking at a seminar of the Norwegian Seafood Council at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt on Thursday 23rd September, 2021.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo, Governor Wike said “In the face of dwindling oil prices, and the need to diversify the economy, we see a lot of potentials in the seafood industry especially post covid-19. This is an important industry for creating employment opportunities, generate revenue and boost economic activities in our area”.
Governor Wike who said that Rivers State was one of the coastal States in the Niger Delta endowed with valuable seafood resources, revealed that Norway and Nigeria have had a long history of age old relationship bonding and trade.
According to the Governor, “Rivers State, known as the oil and gas hub of Nigeria, is open to do business in all sectors including maritime and welcome more partnerships and investments from stakeholders who wish to do business in the State”.
Governor Wike further said “in the effort to grow our economy, the Government of Rivers State supports making laws that work for us all, by putting laws in place to improve society’s efficiency. Hence, the assent and signing of the VAT Law”.
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| Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Ipalibo Harry Banigo receiving a gift from the Ambassador of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Mr. Knut Lein during a Seminar of the Norwegian Seafood Council at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt on the 23rd Sept. 2021. |
The Rivers State Chief Executive who commended the Norwegian Seafood Council for conducting the seminar in the State, stressed that Stock fish was enjoyed across Rivers State by all groups, including low and high earners, while both men and women are involved in the sales in our markets.
“I believe this seminar will examine the many advantages and gains of seafood as well as anticipated support from the Norwegian Embassy in the areas of Encouraging Deep Sea Fishing, trawlers, Good Storage for sea products, training to grow and nurture fish production standard, fish ponds and open fish farms, Use of technology and Encouragement, support to Artisan farmers. We believe that the gains for removing stockfish/stockfish heads from the list of items not valid for the FX windows far outweigh the losses if any.
For all the reasons stated above and many more, we anticipate the Federal Government and the CBN’s removal of stockfish/stockfish heads from the list of items not valid for the Central Bank of Nigeria FX window”. Governor Wike further stressed.
In his remarks the Ambassador Royal Norwegian Embassy, Knut Lein who described the history of Stock fish, in Nigeria and Norway as fascinating, said it creates a bond between both countries and expressed his desire to foster increased cooperation, build on bilateral history and inform his capital about the opportunities in the Country.
He said together we could create lots of jobs, insisting that doing what we can to promote stock fish trade was a win- win for all of us.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of papers by the Director Africa, Norwegian Seafood Council, Mr. Trond Kostveit and other state holders.
The Norwegian Ambassador Mr. Knut Lein had earlier paid a courtesy call on Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike at the Government House in Port Harcourt, where the State Chief Executive expressed the State Government’s desire to continue to partner with the Norwegian Embassy.
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