From Blessing Douglas, Port Harcourt
An entrepreneur, Mr My-Ace China, has urged the Rivers State Government and the media organisations to spearhead the campaign to change the negative perceptions by investors about Port Harcourt, the state capital.
China, the Chief Executive Officer of Construction and Housing Mayor Limited, made the call while speaking at the opening ceremony of the 2023 Correspondents’ Chepel Week, in Port Harcourt.
The event was organised by the chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with the ‘Mayor of Housing’ with the theme: “Rivers State And Quest for Ideal Investment Climate: Role of The Media”.
China, popularly known as ‘Mayor of Housing’, said there was the need for government to increase it’s support to the media, for it to continue to engage in positively reportage of activities that promote the state.
He said: “Entertainers are tired of the Lagos, Port Harcourt dichotomy. The greatest thing we are tired of is the capital flight. We are tired of that narrative that Port Harcourt is unsafe.
“The second part of what I want to say is that we are tired. I have been in Rivers State long enough to feel the pulse of the people; we are tired.
“Talk to the incumbent governor, he will tell you that he is tired of politicking and politics, he is hungry for value-ticking and value-tics. He is tired of political promises without dividends of democracy. He is tired of promises without deliverables.”
The Deputy President of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Dr Emi Membere-Otaji, lamented the collapse of industries in Port Harcourt, stressing that steps must be taken to revive the economy of the State.
Earlier, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Amaechi Okonkwo, said the theme of the programme was chosen because the journalist as agenda setters, have a critical role to play in the environment they operate in.
He noted the media professionals are worried that businesses are folding up in the state and new ones are not springing up, while the state had become notorious for cultism and violent crimes.
