BAYELSA SIGNS MOU WITH 9 FIRMS UNDER PPP FRAMEWORK TO ACHIEVE A PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN ECONOMY

 BAYELSA SIGNS MOU WITH 9 FIRMS UNDER PPP FRAMEWORK TO ACHIEVE A PRIVATE SECTOR DRIVEN ECONOMY 

 Bayelsa State Government has signed a memorandum of Understanding with nine companies under the public private partnership (PPP) framework to accelerate its investment drive. 

The companies are Lagray Chemicals, USA, for the development of pharmaceutical products, DST Petroleum Ltd, for the establishment of a fertilizer plant in Brass, Octopol Energy Ltd for gas conversion and Goshen Treasures Ltd for the development of the Bayelsa Plastic Industry. 

Others are, KABLETECH Nigeria Ltd- manufacturing of electricity cables, Ugboduma and Sons Ltd-development of tourism city, Alyn Global Services Ltd, building of aquarium facility and Clinotech Tunkey Management, Canada for the production of quarry and other concrete works.  

 Speaking at the signing of the agreements, Governor Seriake Dickson described the event as a step forward in the realization of the present administration’s vision to turn around the state’s economy to a private sector driven one rather than a private dominated economy. 

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Edmund Alison Oguru, the Bayelsa State Chief Executive noted that, the areas government intends to focus on include, oil and gas, agriculture, electricity and development of infrastructure to create employment and income to grow an economy that would be sustainable beyond oil and gas. 

To actualize this dream, he expressed government’s preparedness to collaborate with the private sector, stating that what the state needed most were investment partners and not just contractors.

 Governor Dickson assured the investors that Government will continue to provide an investment friendly climate as evidenced in the current efforts being made to enthrone an enduring security.

 In his words:” When we came in, we had some experiences; one of which is that over the years we have had instances where investors came into this state and promised to spend their own money but the government ended up footing the bills. What I will like to therefore caution is that the Bayelsa State of the present administration really wants not just contractors but development partners because of one or two bitter experiences.

 “Those of you who have signed these memoranda of understanding should try as much as possible to be true development partners and not just contractors. On our own part, we want to assure you that we will create the enabling environment to enable you deliver on these investment proposals.”

 The state Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Ayakeme Massah and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Francis Egele supervised the signing of the agreements. 

In their separate remarks, representatives of the various firms, commended the state government for opening a window of opportunity for them, noting that the PPP arrangement would go a long way in creating skills, jobs and economic prosperity. 

Representative of Lagray, Dr. Alexandra Graham said her organization would position the state to supply most of the essential medicine needs in a sustainable manner. 

Also, Dr. Bina Avery who stood in for the Goshen Treasure Ltd, said his company was partnering with technical experts from Czech Republic to revamp the state-owned Plastic Company.

 According to him, Goshen Treasures Ltd is poised to establish a polymer science institute to train Bayelsans on plastic making, adding that talks are underway on the equity share ownership.

 Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
25/07/2013