African leaders should provide enabling fiscal and regulatory environment for private sector – Gov Wike

Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenbunwo Wike has stated that African leaders were faced with a huge task to provide the enabling fiscal and regulatory environment for the private sector to thrive and to provide economic and financial security for the people.

Speaking at the 2017 Annual Conference of the African Bar Association (AFBA) in Port Harcourt, the governor charged African lawyers to be shining lights in the continent and to help reshape it for the good of the people.

He said, “despite being weakened by the global recession, reports affirm Africa’s positive economic outlook as one of the world’s most attractive frontiers for trade and investments.

“The upswing of stable democratic governments and appreciable investments in development infrastructure has contributed in no small measure to positively change the continent’s economic narratives. It is against this background that we note with satisfaction the decision of AFBA to organize this conference.”

Wike, while declaring the conference open on Monday, also informed the African Bar that Rivers State was repositioned as Nigeria’s investment destination.

“Currently, the state is adjudged to be one of the safest and secure states in the country. Our communities are safe. Our local government areas are safe and secure, just as our homes and neighbourhoods are safe and secure.

“The state is also advanced in areas of an independent judiciary, quality infrastructure and basic amenities developed by the incumbent administration.

In his keynote address, immediate Past President of Tanzania, Dr Jakaya Kikwete called on African leaders to work for greater investment climate on the continent.

“Africa can indeed be a continent where her people are wealthy and happy if leaders create the right environment for investment,” he said.

On his part, Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal said Africans should believe that as a people they can work for the attainment of set goals, whilst the Attorney General of Sierra Leone, Joseph Kamara said the conference is symbolic as it creates a platform to chart a course for the development of Africa.

Earlier, in his remarks, President of African Bar Association, Hannibal Uwaifo had stressed the need for the African legal community to re-enter the global stage informed the resuscitation of the African Bar Association.