Nelson Utip
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has encouraged investors with tax holidays Relief and lands in the state, he stated this in keynote address at the 10th International Forum on African-Caribbean Leadership in New York, United States of America, on Tuesday, he also stated that with power now on the concurrent list, his administration will enhance electricity supply in the state with signing of its electricity law as gas turbines will be enhanced to generate and distribute 24-hour power. He showcased the investment and economic potentialities of the state and said that its wealth was more in its maritime domain and that the government was diversifying the economy from its dependence on largely oil revenue.
The governor said this was why he created the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the first state to do so in Nigeria coupled with his vigorous construction of roads to access the Atlantic Ocean on the three senatorial district of the state.
Diri therefore urged investors to take advantage of the state’s abundant gas reserves to partner with the government in establishing industries and creating employment opportunities.
He stated that the government had prioritised security to encourage investors to come into the state.
“During the first four years of our administration, we made a deliberate choice to brand our government as the “Prosperity Government.” Prosperity has been the guiding principle of our work – not merely an attractive mantra, but an honest belief that propels us as we strive for the betterment of our people.
“Bayelsa has enormous economic potential based on its location and natural resources. It sits on an extremely fertile land area, which is part of the third largest wetlands and mangrove forests in the world, contributing immensely to carbon sequestration.
“Our state is endowed with the longest coastline in Nigeria, measuring 203km, and is a natural access point to the Gulf of Guinea (one of the richest fishing waters in the world).
“Bayelsa has the widest access to the Atlantic Ocean in Nigeria. Therefore, it is an ideal location for international trade in West Africa, the Gulf of Guinea and beyond.
“In addition, Bayelsa has the largest gas reserves in Nigeria, exceeding 18 trillion cubic feet and supplies 60% of the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) resources.
“We are also developing a template for tax relief to investors just as we are looking at providing land as the state’s equity contribution to interested investors.
“Security of lives and property is our priority. We employed more of a non-kinetic approach to conflict resolution by engaging stakeholders. We have invested significantly in upgrading our security apparatus by deploying state-of-the-art equipment and technology.”The governor said, adding that his government was leveraging technology to improve the education sector with the introduction of a technology-driven tool known as BayelsaPRIME (Bayelsa Promoting Reform to Improve and Modernise Education) as well as establishing of technical and vocational schools across the state to equip students with the skills to be self-dependent , the tuition, accommodation and feeding costs of the students being borne by the state government. He is optimistic that Bayelsa would gain a lot from the forum and solicited partnerships to “develop innovative solutions to our environmental challenges, create jobs and economic opportunities for our people, improve access to healthcare and education, and build infrastructure that supports business and investment.”
Barr Patience Abah, The Director-General of the Bayelsa Investment Promotion Agency (BIPA) also spoke on the investment prospects in the state.
The event was climaxed with the presentation of the Best Performing Governor Award by Founder/Executive Chairman of the African Leadership Magazine, Dr Ken Giami and the bestowing of honorary citizenship of the State of Georgia on Diri and legislative recognition of the South Carolina State Legislature.
Senator Sunday Katung, representing Kaduna South was also honoured with the African Leadership Legislative Excellence Award.
The event was part of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) organised by the African Leadership Magazine which attracted several political, business and industry leaders, such as President and Chairman, United States Export-Import Bank, Reta Jo Lewis, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, Dr Kevin Greenidge, and President/Chief Executive Officer of Hightower Petroleum, Stephen Hightower, also in attendance were Rosalyn Henderson-Myers, a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Dee Dawkins-Haigler, former chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, Harry Kalaba, former Zambia Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairman, Citizens First Party of Zambia, as well as Ms Nomvule Mokonyane, Deputy Secretary General of the African National Congress in South Africa and other leaders from Angola, Ghana, Uganda and South Africa.
