Proposed Investment and Economic Forum is to Create a Platform for Investors and Govt to Interact …Nigeria

The Bayelsa State government says, the vision of its forthcoming Investment and Economic Forum to hold between the 16th and 18th July, this year, is to provide potential investors with an opportunity to interact with officials of the state government, the Bayelsa business community as well as to explore new vistas of investment in the state.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Trade, Industry and Investment, Barrister Kemela Okara, who stated this during an interactive session with newsmen in office in Yenagoa, explained that what the government intends to achieve is to to turn Bayelsa to a major hub of business in the Niger Delta and the country.

Speaking of the expectations and target of the forum, he said, the expectation of the Government is to have investors come in large numbers, adding that the state is very rich in gas and should be a major player in the sector because of the comparative advantage it has over others.

According to him, the state recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with an Israeli Company, which is expected to provide 100 megawatts of power soon, stating that, the government was determined to expand the infrastructure across the state.

Barrister Okara explained that, already different parts of the state were being opened up, including the three senatorial roads, as well as the building of new hotels and bridges to position the state preparatory to the envisaged influx of investors.

Speaking further he said, “We are hoping that this forum will create an opportunity for more investors to come and invest in agriculture, aquaculture and farming, which will expand to agro-allied industries.

“Our expectation is to have potential investors from different parts of the world, within Nigeria and Bayelsans in the diaspora to come and take advantage of the various opportunities that exist”

Barr. Okara called on potential Bayelsa Investors to invest in the state, adding that the right atmosphere has been created by the state government.

The Commissioner explained further that, the state government will support those, who are willing to invest in real estate, as the collection of certificate of occupancy has been computerised and made easier to acquire.