Fubara reaffirms commitment to business-friendly reforms as Rivers State seeks to attract investment, create jobs and boost economic growth

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to business-friendly reforms, declaring that the state is focused on building a transparent, predictable and investment-friendly environment capable of driving sustainable economic growth.

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Fubara made the pledge in Port Harcourt during a Technical Workshop on Business-Enabling Reforms and Investment Competitiveness organised by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) in partnership with the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA).

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, the governor said Rivers State remains committed to strengthening policies and institutions that will encourage enterprise growth, attract investors and create long-term economic opportunities.

According to Fubara, the state possesses significant economic advantages, including a vibrant population, abundant natural resources, strategic maritime infrastructure and a strong entrepreneurial culture.

“As one of Nigeria’s leading commercial and industrial hubs, Rivers State possesses enormous potential. Our responsibility is to transform these advantages into sustainable economic opportunities through deliberate reforms, strong institutions and effective governance,” he said.

The governor noted that attracting both local and foreign investment remains central to his administration’s economic agenda, stressing that sustainable development depends on creating an environment where businesses can flourish.

He added that successful economies across the world have demonstrated that growth is accelerated when governments establish the right conditions for private sector participation and innovation.

Fubara said the workshop provided an important opportunity for stakeholders to identify obstacles to investment, exchange practical experiences and develop solutions that will strengthen the state’s economic competitiveness.

The governor also emphasised the need to align state policies with global best practices while ensuring that reforms remain responsive to local realities and developmental priorities.

Speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council, Princess Zahrah Mustapha Audu, commended the Rivers State Government for creating a platform to engage investors, policymakers and business leaders on strategies for improving the investment climate.

Audu said PEBEC was established to strengthen enterprises and unlock economic opportunities across Nigeria through targeted reforms that reduce bottlenecks and improve the ease of doing business.

She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing economic policies designed to enhance investor confidence and support national economic growth.

According to her, meaningful economic transformation can only be achieved through stronger collaboration and alignment between federal, state and local governments.

Also addressing participants, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Peterside Chamberlain, said the agency remains focused on creating an enabling environment where businesses can thrive and employment opportunities can expand.

“We know that private sector investment is the driver of economic development and progress. We are working to make Rivers State the preferred investment destination,” Chamberlain said.

The workshop forms part of ongoing efforts by both federal and state authorities to improve Nigeria’s business environment amid increasing competition for domestic and foreign capital.

Over the years, PEBEC has championed reforms aimed at simplifying regulatory processes, improving transparency and reducing the cost of doing business across the country.

For Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s most important economic centres due to its oil and gas resources, ports and industrial activities, attracting new investment is viewed as critical to diversifying the economy, creating jobs and increasing internally generated revenue.

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Stakeholders at the workshop expressed optimism that stronger institutional coordination and sustained reforms would help unlock the state’s vast economic potential and position it as a leading investment destination in Nigeria and beyond.