AKANIMO SAMPSON

AMAECHI UNVEILS ICT CENTRE IN PORT HARCOURT

GOVERNOR Chibuike Amaechi of Rivers State, one of the leading oil and gas states of Nigeria, has unveiled a new high-tech information and communication centre in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Speaking on Wednesday at the unveiling ceremony, he said the establishment of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt will help to increase business activities in the state.

The centre was donated by Zenith Bank Plc to the state government. According to Amaechi, the idea behind the establishment of the centre was completely that of the former Managing Director of the Bank, Mr. Jim Ovia.

The governor expressed the hope that ICT, beyond its negative uses in Nigeria where some persons used it to perpetrate fraud, was an avenue to interact globally, and could serve as a place for people to go and study computer or ICT in the state.

Amaechi who expressed confidence in the relationship between the state government and Zenith Bank, said the state government would discuss with the bank to see if they can partner in the management of the centre.

He noted that the people of Rivers state were grateful to the Bank for her contributions towards the growth of the economy of the state, adding that their friendship with the state government would continue.

Earlier, the Deputy Managing Director, Zenith Bank Plc, Mr Godwin Emefiele, who represented the Group Managing Director, Mr Jim Ovia, said the fully equipped Information Communications and Technology (ICT) centre was donated by the Bank to the Rivers State Government as part of its social responsibility programme, as well as its cardinal policy to show gratitude to the Rivers Community for providing an enabling environment for business to strive in the state.

Mr Emefiele said the establishment of the centre was anchored on Governor Amaechi’s vision for the development of the state based on active corporate involvement under Public Private Partnership (PPP) Scheme.

He also said that the centre is aimed at enhancing government’s developmental aspirations since ICT is critical to such development, and assured the Governor of their commitment to continue the partnership with the Rivers State Government. ENDS