In a bid to attract more investments, promote economic growth, and deliver quality healthcare services to the people, Rivers state governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to strengthen the relationship between the state and the Canadian government.
He gave the assurance on Monday when he met with the visiting Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr James Christoff, behind closed doors at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
He again stressed that Rivers State is peaceful and ready to accept strategic partnerships to develop the state in the various sectors that it has comparative advantages.
While speaking after the meeting, Christoff expressed satisfaction with the issues discussed and stated his willingness to ensure their actualisations.
He said: “First of all, let me say what an honour and pleasure it is for me to be here in Rivers State. I had a couple of very good meetings here over the last day, including the governor.
“We talked about areas where we know there is some room for us to, I think, further entrench our relationship. One of the things I’ll be doing while I’m here in Rivers State is to visit the Medical Oxygen facility that Canada provided significant support to, overseen by UNICEF.
“And, just knowing that health is a priority for His Excellency, I want to see for myself the Medical Oxygen Plant at Eleme General Hospital, to better understand how that’s making a tremendous difference here in the state.”
He said he divulged the determination of his country to explore areas “where we can always look to take a very good situation and raise the bar in terms of how we benefit.”
According to him: “In our case, as Canada, from natural resources and what it brings to a community. And so, we shared some insights on that particular issue, and of course, there are the people-to-people ties that are growing between Nigeria and Canada that are very important.
“And we look for ways to, maybe, tap into the many Nigerians who have a foot in both countries, to the benefit of both countries. So, it was a very good discussion. I’m very happy to be here.
“Well, I would say that in terms of business development, that’s a two-way street. Of course, it’s part of our job, part of my job as Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria to try and unpack the opportunities that reside here for our companies, and I think we’re making great strides in that.
“And so, wherever I go, when I visit, pay visits on governors across the great country of Nigeria, I always look to find the areas where we might bring our companies and the host government to collaborate.
“As I mentioned, the natural resource sector is one such area, and I look forward to further discussions with state governments and how we might benefit collectively.”
The envoy added that the Canadian government and companies are satisfied with the opportunities that existed in the state and were tapping into existing policies to further boost mutual collaborations.
