…Infrastructure, manufacturing, human capital, urban renewal
…DG says PH set to be one of 3 vaccine manufacturing locations in Africa
The Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency (RSIPA), back from lull caused by the emergency rule, says aggressive development and investment drive have been launched for Rivers State to catch up.
Already, foreign manufacturers are said to be knocking on the door of the state’s investment warehouse. The state is also set to become one of three vaccine manufacturing locations in Africa, according Chamberlain Peterside, the pioneer Director-General of the Agency.
In an exclusive interview, the DG told BusinessDay that the economic drive of the present administration is hinged on infrastructure and human capital development.
He said it includes projects in various sectors such as blue economy in which the state is very naturally endowed. “And of course, it also includes the ecological and environmental sector that is becoming a fast growth sector for through environmental sustainability.”
He said in those areas, infrastructure, human capital development, blue economy, agriculture, and the environment stand tops. He said the government is doing its part. “I mean, there are several projects we are aware of: The Port Harcourt Ring Road of about N195bn, the Trans Kalabari Road of over N221Bn.
“We are not talking of other numerous road projects some of which cost up to N80bn. These are greenfield projects (newly started). There is the Oyokotoro Road that now ends up in the Atlantic, that’s beautiful. So the connectivity is happening at a very fast pace, very, very ambitious and audacious.”
So, he stated, the government is doing a lot to open up the economy and attract investments in various sectors.
“There are also efforts in the development of the economy and jobs. There’s also a very ambitious public private partnership (PPP) initiative. There are lots of PPP projects now going on; big ones such as the 20,000 TAF housing scheme. Just under one year and half, they have built over 800 homes, pushing them to 1,000. So that’s very audacious. A mini Port Harcourt city has just been floated also at the same zone, the one they call the PH-AirportCity. That one is to be 2000 houses in the first phase.
“There is the Port City which is towards the end of that section of Port Harcourt. That one is high-end whereas the TAF project is low-end or affordable scheme.”
He went on: “I’m sure most of you have heard of a project called New Port City. It’s a 1,000-hectare mixed-use urban development project. It will include both residential, light manufacturing, commercial, agricultural and other sectors. The aim is to develop an industrial zone for light manufacturing and agro-processing zone to obtain a license for agro-processing within that complex.”
Foreign companies peep in:
He went on: “There are a few companies from abroad that have shown interest in licenses to manufacture vaccines, for instance. The place will become one of the three key locations for vaccine manufacturing in Africa. It’s going to be coming up in New Port City.”
The new pillars of the New Port Harcourt:
Then, he said, I’m sure you’re also aware of the part of the infrastructure initiative and drive, the Port Harcourt Township Urban Renewal Project. “There was a committee that was formed back in November 2024. The project was approved by the Governor, and they formed the committee that was a multi-inter-sectoral that includes the key ministries and private sector stakeholders to redevelop and reform and revive the so-called Old Port Harcourt Township.
He described the phenomenon, saying the hub of the new plan starts at the PH Port to the old city. It has the Ministry of Justice, the High Courts. A stone throw will be the executive arm of government. Another stone throw will land at the Judiciary and the Legislature. “Also, you have the police head office and across to Azikiwe Road, you have serious manufacturing going on there.
“You have BUA group, train terminal. Opposite, you have Masters Energy, the depot, then, of course, you have the wharf around it.
“Then, if you go down the Quarry Road from Industry Road, it goes all the way to Town called the Township. That’s what the New Town is.
“So, the new development is called the Port Harcourt Triangle instead of the former Ring Road concept of one of the former administrations. So, there is a triangular axis of the Port Harcourt City. It is part of the Greater Port Harcourt City: The Township; The New Port City; The Greater Port Harcourt City.”
And, he said, there are connectors that are being built right now. All of these are coming together in a way that the government is driving that whole development process.
“In the agricultural sector, the government, a few months ago, launched the Iwofe Farm project, which has now provided the template. And, that template will now be copied across the three senatorial districts. The first one is going to be replicated, which is the Rumuodani Farm. That’s the next farm that is going to be coming up in the Ikwere zone. All of these are projects that are already on the ground.
“What else? The government, just last week, commissioned a new fertilizer plant. So, there are three in one: the flyover, the ground level, and the tunnel underneath.
“The key challenge we have is to get the private sector to buy into that vision. And, the private sector is doing well, you know, with the PPP initiatives like the TAF 20,000 Housing Units. So, there’s quite a lot of work being done.
“In the health sector, there’s a new health research facility that has been commissioned at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Also, the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital is having a whole lot of infrastructural facelift and a new set of equipment.
Key challenge:
“So, the key challenge is to have a structured, coordinated, and holistic engagement between government, private sector, and the populace. It’s a three-pronged approach. When you bring those three together, you will be able to drive the vision to its logical conclusion. And, that’s where we see the government is driving that process.
“So, with this concept note, you will see the three axes: Township, New Port City, and the Greater Port Harcourt City. And, how the connections, those roads, are now driving that whole connection.
Understanding the Concept of the new PH City:
Well, the concept of the Greater Port Harcourt City is that the original Port Harcourt City, which is the old township, will be retained as the historical and cultural center. The New Port City will be the new center for light manufacturing, agro-processing, and industrial activities. Then, the Greater Port Harcourt City will be the large extension that will house most of the residential areas and services.
The challenge now is that the private sector is coming in at the Township and at the New Port City. And, we need a lot more private sector initiatives at the Greater Port Harcourt City, which is where the housing and all the services will be.
So, the new, what do you call it? Rivers State University Teaching Hospital is at the Greater Port Harcourt City area. And, that is one of the key anchor projects that is driving development there.
So, it’s an integrated city concept: Old City, New City, and Greater City. And, all of them are being integrated with new roads and flyovers. And, that’s what the government is driving.
The road is a very major project. It is a 20-kilometer, 8-lane dual carriage road. Very massive. And, it’s also a dual carriage road that is linking the New Port City and the Old Port Harcourt City. So, there are very massive roads with flyovers and tunnels.
“So, there is a very deliberate effort to ensure that the infrastructure is not just a road, but a very integrated system.”
