Amaechi Gets UK Endorsement For April Polls

Amaechi Gets UK Endorsement For April Polls

The re-election bid of Governor Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, has
received a seeming moral-boosting diplomatic endorsement on Thursday,
with the Government of the United Kingdom extoling the administration's
policies and programmes.

AkanimoReports reports that the U.K. Minister for Africa, Mr. Henry
Bellingham, said Britain is impressed with the policies and programmes
of the Amarchi administration, particularly on alternative means of
livelihood for the youths.

''What you are doing to get to the root of the problem of the area by
providing health care, education and agriculture deserve commendation”,
the UK functionary said, pointing out that the initiatives of the
administration is providing alternative employment for youths of the
state that have been involved in crime and illegal oil bunkering
activities in the past.

Bellingham gave the commendation when he paid a courtesy call on
Governor Amaechi at Government House, Port Harcourt.

He noted that there has to be an alternative employment for future life
of the youths, described the approach as the best approach to tackle the
problem from the roots.

He restated the determination of the British government to intensify the
already good bilateral relationship with Nigeria which has a historical
antecedent of working together, noting that his country was interested
in increasing the volume of trade and investment from UK companies,
emphasized the importance of long time investment.

“We are taking a look at the oil and gas sector and Rivers State is a
very important part of Nigeria economy and I am aware that you want some
UK firms to carry on with the investment in the businesses that they are
doing here”, Mr. Bellingham stated.

Concerning travel advisory on Niger Delta, the UK minister, said the new
government and the new minister would keep the process of review open,
and thanked the state government for the warm reception accorded him in
the state

Earlier, the elated Amaechi who pledged to do more for the peoples of
the state if re-elected in the coming April polls, had told the foreign
Minister that the travel advisory from the British government was
affecting foreign investment in the state, and called for its review in
view of the return of Peace to the state.

Governor Amaechi urged the government of the United Kingdom to tow the
path of the Canadian Government, who upon the visit of the High
Commissioner to the State has reviewed its travel advisory.

He explained that the restriction was affecting business partnership
between both countries, especially in the quality of job that the
contractors are doing, as some require experts that may not be available
locally.

The governor further hinted that some companies from Turkey have
indicated interest in coming to Rivers State, but travel advisory is
usually the problem, and called for reconsideration.

ENDS

© Scoop Media