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From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
A real estate strategist, My-ACE China, has called on investors afraid of coming into Rivers State, to utilize Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s Peace Advocate award and see the state as a safe haven for business.
China, who is popularly known as Mayor of Housing, stated this in Port Harcourt, yesterday, in reaction to news of Governor Fubara’s award as Peace Advocate of the year by Silverbird Group.
Reacting, the Mayor of Housing said he was elated and proud about the development because the sacrifice is beginning to pay off.
He said the governor has sacrificed a lot and has restrained himself from exchanges that could destroy the state like when two elephants fight.
China said: “So, it seems, for the sake of the grass, the elephant has refused to fight and quietly went about his projects, just to ensure the grass does not suffer, even when most the grasses are calling for blood or for a fight back. Much is being achieved.
“Every state is ultimately represented by the kind of leader it has. It is clear that peace promotes productivity; productivity promotes profit; profit promotes peace. It is a circle of good. More profit makes more peace. This will now help to create peace and people can increase productivity. It allows investors to go out and come in. It has added to the trust in peace in the state. It boosts productivity.”
“For external investors waiting to see if it is real peace so as to come, they can see it is real. It may convince them to make final investment decision. Those on the fence will find signal that real peace is here.”
He advised the political class to note that the era of sharing politics is gradually coming to an end.
China said: “With the food crisis in Nigeria, it means productive politics is what is needed because soon there is nothing to share. Productive politics is being birthed.
“Unlike sharing politics, in productive politics, there is nothing to share if you don’t produce. The main fallout of productive politics is internally generated revenue (IGR) and one of the greatest drivers of IGR is business activity, and one of the drivers of business activity is surge of investors.
“Soon, it would be like in medical tourism driving some states in Nigeria. Soon, states with best business climates would attract investors and they get IGR. We are getting there.
“The earlier the political actors realise this, the better it is for the state so they can learn how to fight without destroying the economy. We are not saying they should not fight, but they should not do so in the glare of the public and expose their dirty linens. There are ways they do these things so the investment community is not harmed.”
He opened up saying that by these developments, positive news is winning over toxic news and crisis.
“Abia State nearby is an example of good news coming out almost everyday. While we are here in Rivers State talking and hearing of toxic news everyday, Abia State is now in good news and you can’t imagine the volume of investors rushing there. They may catch up or even overtake Rivers State, something that has never happened before.
“So, my general take is that what comes out of perception is now stronger than reality, and perception is now the new reality.
Whatever comes out of Rivers State shapes the perception of people outside the state and this creates the reality of whether to come or not.
“There is no state that can do it alone, but they clamour for national and international investors. Instead of trying to gag news, you better create positive activities that create positive news that creates positive activities, forming a circle of good that creates wealth for everybody.”
