Bayelsa woos foreign investors, opens London office

Bayelsa Governor Henry Seriake Dickson says the state is Nigeria’s best-kept secret and investment destination.

He was speaking at the official opening ceremony of the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC)’s international office in London.

The office, he said, will complement the efforts of the Nigerian High Commission in the United Kingdom “in promoting the trade and investment potentials of Bayelsa State and Nigeria”.

Dickson said: “This office shall be the international headquarters of the corporation and shall deepen and strengthen our collective resolve as a government and as a people to promote wealth and prosperity in the state.”

He said his administration’s “strategic vision” is to attract the private sector, both within and outside the country, “to open businesses in the state in order to create job opportunities as well as create alternative sources of revenue for the state”.

The opening of the BDIC International office as well as the Bayelsa Economic and Investment Forum scheduled for July 16-18 2014 in Yenagoa are to underscore the fact “that Bayelsa State is safe and secure for investment”, he said.

In his remarks, the special guest of honour and Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, commended the Bayelsa government for the bold initiative in opening an office in the UK, noting that though it is one of the youngest and smallest states in Nigeria, “it is one of the most enterprising”.

He said that was the first time a state in Nigeria opened such an office in the UK and pledged the full support and assistance of the High Commission.

Special guest, Lord Marland of Odstock, who is also the chairman of the Commonwealth Business Council, lauded Dickson for his initiative.

He announced the council’s resolve to compliment the efforts of the state at stimulating Foreign Direct Investment and to diversify the economy from oil and gas.

Also in attendance was the chairman of Westminster Business Group, Mr. Lawrence Robertson.

A state’s delegation included King Alfried Diete-Spiff, the first military governor of the old Rivers State and Amanayabo of Twon Brass; Mr. Timi Alaibe, former MD of NDDC; Major Lancelot Ayanya, chairman, National Oil Spill and Response Agency; Mr. Kamela Okara, commissioner for trade and investment; Tam Alazigha, deputy managing director of BDIC; Mr. Funkazi Koroye-Crooks, secretary, BDIC /London office; and Cyril Akika,  special adviser to the governor on investment.