MP urges investment in Niger Delta

Posted on 12 May, 2011

MP urges investment in Niger Delta

The Nigerian Niger Delta is safe for business and investments as all stakeholders had restored normalcy and security in the region.  

Chairman, House of Representatives committee representing Eleme Constituency in Rivers State, southern Nigeria, Mr. Olaka Nwogu, made this remark while urging investors to use the peaceful atmosphere to invest in the oil-rich region.

He said one way of solving the problem in the region was to create opportunities to keep the people, especially the youths, busy.

“One, if you stay away, you will lose opportunity because by the time you come back; other people have occupied your space. “But more important, businesses should also see themselves in an affirmative light. It is indeed necessary that you come and assist the Niger Delta people by creating opportunities,” he said.

Investment haven

Nwogu said that the Niger Delta bore the economic backbone of the nation without complaint and companies could not afford to abandon the area, especially with the increased security and restoration of order.

He said: “Having appreciated not just the bad side of militancy, but also its positive side, the militants have given up arms. So, now is the time to consolidate on the good side. We have become aware, and companies must not abandon the place.”

He noted that there was an urgent need for job creation in the region to ensure that it would not go back to the dark days.

Nwogu noted that such job opportunities would be a reasonable contribution that would be welcomed by the people of the Niger Delta.

The legislator said the federal and state governments had tried their best to make the region a safe place and it was now up to investors to use the opportunity to key into the area.

NAN/ Qasim