By Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), has restated the government’s resolve to resuscitate dormant agricultural facilities as part of a broader strategy to stimulate industrial activity and expand job opportunities for young people.
Vice Admiral Ibas made this known during an inspection tour of several state-owned agricultural and technical establishments, including PABOD Farm in Elimgbu, Atali Farms in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Siat Nigeria Limited in Ubima (Ikwerre LGA), and the Port Harcourt Technical and Vocational Centre.
Lamenting the state of disuse and neglect, he underscored the importance of restoring these vital assets, noting that revitalisation would help diversify the state’s income base while addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment.
“We have seen firsthand how richly endowed our state is, yet it is disheartening to observe the neglect of these government investments. These facilities were established for the benefit of our people, and it is our collective responsibility to protect and optimise them. Unfortunately, due to past mismanagement, we now must allocate resources to revive them,” he remarked.
Vice Admiral Ibas expressed confidence in the current administration’s capacity to rehabilitate the facilities and ensure that public investments yield measurable benefits for the people of Rivers State.
“The good news is that we are determined to act. We will explore all available options to reactivate these facilities, ensuring they serve their intended purpose—creating employment and empowering our citizens. It is the government’s duty to provide the best for its people and we are fully committed to this cause,” he added.
At Siat Nigeria Limited, the Sole Administrator held discussions with company executives, representatives of the local government, and traditional rulers, reiterating the state’s interest in fostering robust Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) to spur sustainable economic development.
“I commend the existing harmony between Siat Nigeria, the host communities, and the government. Such collaboration is a model for sustainable development, as it ensures that communities take ownership of projects within their domains. We encourage other private sector players to emulate this approach for the collective benefit of our people,” he said.
He further pledged to overhaul the Port Harcourt Technical and Vocational Centre to better equip young people with practical, industry-relevant skills essential for modern employment markets.
