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Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has canvassed the strengthening of the relationship between the state and the Canadian Government to attract investment and boost growth while delivering quality healthcare services in the state.
The move was advocated after Governor Fubara and the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. James Christoff, met behind closed doors at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking to newsmen after the meeting, Christoff expressed satisfaction with the issues discussed and mutually agreed, and expressed willingness to ensure their actualisation and collectively benefit.
He said: “First of all, let me say what an honour and pleasure it is for me to be here in Rivers State. I had a couple of meetings here over the last day, including with His Excellency, the governor.
“We talked about areas where we know there are some rooms for us to, I think, further enrich our relationship. One of the things I’ll be doing while I’m here in Rivers State is to visit the Medical Oxygen facility that Canada provided significant support to, overseen by United Nations Children Fund, UNICEF.
“And, just knowing that health is a priority for His Excellency, I want to see for myself the Medical Oxygen Plant at Eleme General Hospital, to better understand how that’s making a tremendous difference here in the state.”
Christoff also said that the discussion extended to the abundant natural resources in Rivers State, which were evidence of how blessed it is as a state much like Canada.
He further said, “In our case, as Canada, from natural resources and what it brings to a community, we shared some insights on that particular issue, and of course, there are the people-to-people ties that are growing between Nigeria and Canada that are very important.
“I would say that in terms of business development, part of my job as Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria is to try and unpack the opportunities that reside here for our companies, and I think we’re making great strides in that."
