Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has urged France to invest in Rivers State agriculture sector with a view to improving the economy of the state.
Wike urged the French Government to assist the state in the area of commercial agriculture to create jobs for the youths.
The governor said this on Wednesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, when he granted audience to the Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Denys Gauer.
He further called for a partnership between France and Rivers State in the area of vocational training for the youths.
He said:“we have to adopt another strategy on how we can survive without depending so much on crude oil and for us as a state we have decided to go into agriculture, not subsistent agriculture but commercial agriculture.
“The commercial agriculture will not be solely owned by government, but government will give individuals grants so that they will be able to establish farms on their own in order to improve the economy of the state”.
He added that vocational training remains critical to the creation of employment opportunities. “We will have to put away our confidence as regards to oil, for us the only way to survive is by going back to agriculture”.
He thanked the French Government for helping Nigeria to fight insurgency. “We sincerely appreciate the support you have given to Nigeria in fighting insurgency, particularly as it relates to Boko Harram”.
He assured that his administration will continue to promote security across the state.
Earlier, the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Denys Gauer said he was in the state to improve the relationship between Rivers State and France.
He also noted that he was in the state to discuss the security of French citizens working in the state.
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