The public has been urged to reduce their dependence on government for sources of income, but rather diversify into other areas of productivity in order to grow the nation’s economy.
President of the Portharcourt Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Dr Emi-Membere Otaji, who disclosed this to our correspondent Tina Amanda during the chambers forum meeting in Port Harcourt, said there are many components that make up an economy beyond crude oil.
According to him, the public need to invest more in agriculture to help the nation overcome the high density of poverty, adding that agriculture which is the key source of development has long been neglected.
“We all don’t have to depend on government for sources of income. We don’t have to be government workers or contractors. We can add to the economy to reduce poverty. If the private sector is striving, obviously there will be poverty reduction and employment generation.
“Rivers state has land and water. We can do fishing and farming, we can do value addition to primary produce so that secondary produce will be distributed through our ports”
He also called on the federal government to look into the infrastructural development of the eastern seaport, stressing that if the seaports are put to good use, it will increase the inflow of businesses in those areas.
“The eastern ports are all moribund. The Calabar, Portharcourt, Warri, Sapele ports are all in various stages of decay which makes them not to be in use. Every exporter in these parts use the western port in Lagos and we know that sixty per cent of cargoes that goes to the western port is meant for south-south and south-east, Aba, Nnewi.
“If the government makes these ports to function, it will ease the way of doing business and decongest the Lagos port. They talk about insecurity challenges, despite the insecurity challenge, oil is still being produced in this region, shipping and the ports should be made to work in these areas”
