Rivers Government to develop coastline communities to boost state’s economy

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May 23, 2017 2:10 PM

The move is part of the government’s attempts to diversify the economy from oil and gas.

Governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike

The

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen at the Port Harcourt Tourist Beach, during the boat regatta, organized to celebrate the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the state.

The commissioner pointed out that Rivers State has one of the longest coastlines in West Africa, with a plethora of untapped natural potentials, but acknowledged that these treasures have been ignored for decades.

He said the period of the Golden Jubilee celebration provides a new spirit of cultural renaissance to tap into the natural beauty of the water bodies and upgrade existing facilities for full economic benefits.

Commenting on the boat regatta, he said, the event was a unique opportunity to display the aesthetics and cultural values of the state, through the waterways which serve as an aquatic stadium.

He said the boat regatta was also a symbolic reflection of the long existing history of bravery, hard work and communal entertainment among the various communities in the state.

Commenting on the issue of upland/riverine dichotomy, which dominated the past, Tam-George said the concept of political dichotomy, was “false, divisive and a retrogressive analysis advanced by short-sighted politicians to grab political power.”

He said no dichotomy existed in Rivers State as there was a bond of brotherhood among the various ethnic nationalities in the state.

Meanwhile, Dr. Tam-George, has called for regular sporting competitions among the 23 local governments in Rivers State as a means of promoting social cohesion and mutual bond among the people of Rivers State.

The commissioner gave the advice while speaking with newsmen at the Alfred Diette-Spiff Sports Complex, Port Harcourt, yesterday, during the finals of the inter-local government areas football competition and novelty march to celebrate the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the state.

He disclosed that such competitions will not only consolidate the bond of brotherhood among the people but also help to groom special talents in various areas of sports.

The commissioner, who was impressed over the turn out of the spectators for the finals, said the Rivers State Government was committed to promoting sporting activities in the state through the provision of sports facilities.

The commissioner also called for inter-ministerial sports competition in the state as a means of enhancing the physical wellbeing and mental alertness of civil servants to discharge the duties effectively.

He said the novelty football march between the public and private sectors in the state, had symbolic values, as it portrays the state as safe for investment and corporate activities.

Tam-George further assured the commitment of the Chief Nyesom Wike-led administration to always provide the enabling environment for genuine business activities to strive in the state.

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He said the celebration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary has put Rivers State in the centre stage of public discourse because of the circle of important events going on in the state.

The Omuma Local Government team, however, beat the Gokana LGA team by a lone goal, to clinch the trophy for the inter LGA competition, while the Obio/Akpor LGA team came third.

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