Senate President Bukola Saraki has given a tacit endorsement to the second term for Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State next year.
Saraki spoke when he has laid the foundation for the construction of the Fertiliser Train 2 of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Chemicals Limited.
This is just as the governor declared that the $3.2 billion (USD) for the development of project was an investor’s destination.
Performing the flag off, Saraki said with $3.2 billion invested in the state by the foreign investors, it showed that Rivers people were receptive to investors.
He said: “I am congratulating the people of Rivers State for creating the right environment for this investment. I like the example that Rivers people are setting for others to follow.”
The Senate President noted that the successful production of urea in Rivers State, which was used mostly by northern farmers underscored the need for national unity.
“Urea Fertiliser products are used by farmers, especially in northern part of the country. That tells us that we must unite. We must support ourselves irrespective of party affiliation.
“Without peace, there will be no urea. For all of us in Nigeria, let’s work in the interest of our country,” he said.
The governor said the country could diversify the economy without developing the agricultural sector.
While commending the management of Indorama, the Senate President noted the National Assembly will support the growth of the plant.
In his address, Wike said that Indorama had performed creditably through quality investments in the state.
He said that government would sustain the creation of a peaceful environment for the protection of Indorama’s investment.
“We are beneficiaries of the dividends of Indorama Eleme Fertiliser and Petrochemicals Limited. We are happy with the management of the company,” he said.
The governor wondered why anyone would say that Rivers State is not safe for investments, when the Foreign Direct Investment by Indorama has hit $3.2 billion.
“I am happy that within my time as Rivers State Governor, we commissioned the first train and the flag off of the second train for the Fertiliser Plant. “If an investment of $3.2 billion can be in Rivers State , how can anyone say that Rivers State is not safe. The Nigeria you are hearing is Rivers State,” the governor said.
On the Supreme Court judgment on the Senate president, Wike said that it was historic that Rivers was the first state hosting the Senate president for an official assignment after the landmark judgment.
Managing Director of Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited, Mr Maniah Mundra said the foundation stone ceremony of the second train project would produce 1.5million metric tonnes of urea fertilizer.
He said it was a replication of the first train, which also had capacity for 1.5millilon metric tonnes, stressing that this would bring Indorama fertilizer production to 3million metric tones.
He said that $3.2billion had been invested by the company over the yearsjust as he said that it was the highest investment by any foreign investor in the last 25 years.
