Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has declared that despite the security challenges facing the Niger Delta, Rivers State is peaceful for investments.
The governor also called on the United Kingdom to partner the Rivers State Government in the areas of Agriculture and Vocational Education for the generation of employment.
The government of the United Kingdom also declared that they would partner with the Rivers State Government in the area of youth empowerment.
He spoke at the Government House, Port Harcourt wednesday when he received the High Commissioner of United Kingdom to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright.
He explained that strategies have been put in place for the enhancement of the security across the state; pointing out that the state and federal governments have taken relevant steps to address the challenges posed by militancy in the Niger Delta.
He said the meeting between Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Niger Delta governors and the military high command mapped out critical measures, including opening up of dialogue channels with the Niger Delta Avengers to resolve recent security challenges.
He blamed the cult-related conflicts in the state on oil companies that patronise cult groups to secure their pipelines, instead of working with security agencies.
He said such patronage leads to supremacy conflicts between cult groups.
He informed the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom that a particular oil company is responsible for empowering the cult groups, noting that the matter is being addressed.
Wike called on the government of the United Kingdom to partner with the state to generate mass employment and enhance economic growth.
“We want to partner with the government of the United Kingdom in the agricultural sector to create jobs for our unemployed youths. government will continue to create a secure environment to improve the environment for Agriculture. The Mexicans are already here investing in agriculture.
“We also need partnership in the area of vocational education to also create job opportunities for our youths,” he said.
In his remarks, the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Nigeria, Mr. Paul Arkwright said that the relationship between the United Kingdom and Rivers State will be deepened.
He said that he was in the state to get first hand knowledge of developments in the state to identify areas of collaboration.
The governor later led the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom on an inspection of the remodeling of the Brick House and the Chapel within the premises of the Government House, Port Harcourt.
