Ex-APC chieftain, Princewill worries over political unrest in Rivers

Tonye Princewill

A former chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC) and business mogul, Prince Tonye Princewill, has expressed worry over ongoing political unrest in Rivers State. He has, therefore, canvassed for peace to attract the needed investment that will drive socio-economic growth in the state.

Princewill lamented that the narratives about the oil-rich Rivers within the international community is negative and may have affected investments.

Princewill spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, insisting that a secured and peaceful environment was necessarily to enable investors to come in and do business.

Recall that the state in a renewed political crisis sequel to controversies on Local Government tenure extension has witnessed death of three persons, business activities also were affected.

The feud is between Governor Siminalayi Fubara, outgone council chairmen and State Assembly lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Princewill disclosed that he was having challenges to convince his partners that Rivers is safe for investments and urged all parties involved in the simmering crisis to give peace a chance.

He said: I have built quite number of partnerships, but I think one of the prominent partnerships that I have built is the American Hospital Dubai. American Hospital Dubai is one of the top hospitals in Dubai and they want to come into Africa. I am their partner in sub-saharan Africa, and it is my responsibility to take them to Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Angola etc”.

He said, there are moves to bring the investors to Rivers but warned that if the unrest continues, it may affect the moves.

Princewill stated that quality investments will create employment, curb youths’ restiveness and also improve the economy.

“If the investors come, they are going to train our people, doctors and nurses. The have already told me to give them 20 names of nurses and doctors to start training immediately.

“But I said no, when you open the office and we see our relationships, then, we will see who to send. I am not the kind of person who would put my brothers’ names and my sisters’ names to send. So, they are going to build capacity, they are going to help us.

“You see, Dubai used to go to London for treatment, but now, Londoners come to Dubai for treatment. We need to do the same thing here,” he added.