The Commissioner for Commerce, Rivers State, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, has reassured local and international investors that Rivers State remains one of the most peaceful and business-friendly states in Nigeria, with a government fully committed to creating an enabling environment for commerce and industry.
Speaking on Wednesday in an event organized by the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce in Port Harcourt, the Commissioner commended the agency for choosing Rivers State as the venue and highlighted the administration’s strong worker-friendly policies under Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“We have demonstrated that Rivers State knows how to take care of its own. We have cleared long-standing promotion arrears, ensured workers are fully funded and motivated, and placed the welfare of employees, whether in government or private organizations, at the heart of governance,” he said.
Commissioner Johnson emphasized that the present administration has placed Rivers State on a trajectory of policy realism and participatory economic reform, noting that the world has moved beyond dependence on oil and gas.
“His Excellency the Governor clearly understands that the future belongs to innovation, logistics, and massive investment in human capital. That is the new direction, and we are deliberately pursuing continuity of these reforms without distraction,” he stated.
Addressing recent political developments, the Commissioner declared that the government has emerged stronger and is fully focused on development. “Rivers State is up and running. There is no vacuum, no missing beat. We are open for business – to every investor, local or international.”
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He particularly called on members of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture to help attract partners for the revitalization of strategic industrial assets in the Trans-Amadi industrial layout and beyond.
“We want to bring back to life the Rivers State Vegetable Oil Company, West African Glass Industry, and several other legacy industries that once made Rivers State an industrial powerhouse. These facilities are waiting for serious investors. With your support and the right partnerships, we will restore them and create thousands of jobs,” he urged.
In a direct message to the business community, he added: “Our government and ministries are open. Come with your ideas, come with your capital. Rivers State is ready to partner with you for mutual prosperity. Victory is already in sight.”
The event ended with the Commissioner expressing optimism that, with the cooperation of the organized private sector and development partners, Rivers State is poised for a new era of industrialization and economic growth.
