Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has praised protesters in the state for remaining peaceful despite the economic hardships prompting their agitation.
Fubara made these remarks while addressing protesters who marched to the government house in Port Harcourt to express their grievances.
He reassured the youths of his unwavering commitment to improving the state’s economy and the overall welfare of its people.
He noted that the peaceful nature of the protests demonstrates a genuine desire for positive change and underscores the importance of addressing their concerns promptly.
He urged the protesters to exercise patience and trust in his administration’s efforts to bring about meaningful economic reforms.
However, he cautioned the protesters to remain vigilant against individuals who might attempt to hijack the peaceful protest to incite violence, especially in the current political climate.
Following his engagement with the protesters, Fubara met with members of the State Executive Council and the committee responsible for organizing the first Rivers Economic and Investment Summit.
During the meeting, held at the Executive Council Chambers, the committee presented its report to the governor.
The governor pledged to implement the committee’s recommendations, emphasizing the critical need for economic improvement in response to the ongoing protests against bad governance.
He acknowledged that economic hardships are a major driving force behind the protests, making it imperative to prioritize economic initiatives.
The governor highlighted the essential role of the Economic and Investment Summit in shaping the state’s economic future and committed to making it a cornerstone of his administration’s policy.
The committee’s recommendations included the immediate establishment of an Investment Promotion Council, a digital economy hub, and the revival of defunct businesses.
Additional suggestions included revitalizing old business districts and creating new ones, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, reducing tensions between companies and host communities, and institutionalizing the Economic and Investment Summit as an annual event.
Chibeoso Aholu, Chairman of the Committee, emphasized categorizing the summit’s successes into short, medium, and long-term values to ensure sustainable development in the state.