Rivers to Launch Security Trust Fund in January, Says Wike ...Insists Dangote, Banks Must Contribute to Fund

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has stated that the state would launch a State Security Trust Fund as part of its move to strengthen security in the state in order to attract more investments.

He stated that all major companies operating in the state must contribute to the state security fund ‘because they benefit from the resources and infrastructure of Rivers State’.

 

The governor stated this on Monday at the Government House in Port Harcourt during a courtesy visit by the President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce,  Industry,  Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Hajiya Iya Aliyu.

He said: "By January 2020, we will hold a security summit and also launch a security trust fund. All the major companies operating in the state are under obligation to contribute.

"We are committed to improving security in order to attract more investments in the state. We are also developing the right infrastructure for economic development."

Wike said the state government would write to Dangote Plc to contribute,  as it does in other states,  pointing out that the company uses the state infrastructure for its businesses.

According to the governor, "Dangote has not contributed anything to this state. I will write to him to support the security trust fund.

"I cannot do roads and your trailers will take over our roads. If you go to G.U Ake Road, you will see Dangote trailers all over the state.

 

"Zenith Bank, Access Bank and other major companies must contribute to the Rivers State Security Trust Fund as they contribute to Lagos State.  This is sufficient notice. As they contribute there, they must contribute here. If they don't support Rivers State, we will not accept that."

He said Rivers State is the best place that anyone can invest, adding that the state would continue to improve security and infrastructure.

The governor said no society can develop without the contributions of private sector. 

"We need the private sector to drive the economy.  Look at what is happening in the United States, over two hundred thousand jobs were generated in one month through the private sector," he said.

Wike said in order to encourage the private sector, the state government has harmonised taxes, noting that the state government is working with the private sector to resolve the few challenges associated with taxes in the state.

On the closure of the border, Wike lamented that Nigerians are suffering over the government action, saying he sides with Nigerians who are not happy with the border closure.

Earlier, the President of NACCIMA, Hajiya Iya Aliyu, declared that Rivers State is safe for investments, as she applauded the improved infrastructure and security that are attracting businesses to the state.

She commended the state governor for the harmonisation of taxes in the state, adding that the action has encouraged private businesses.