Once a contender for Nigeria’s top city, Port Harcourt’s development has lagged behind Lagos and Abuja, raising questions about its potential and the factors that have hindered its progress.
But Surv. Samuel Ndubisi Agwor, a former top governorship contender in Rivers State and one of the elders behind Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has said that the governor was working hard to restore the lost glory of the city and indeed the entire Rivers State.
In an interview with National Point, Agwor, who has played top politics in Rivers State for over three decades, recalled a time when Port Harcourt was rapidly catching up with Lagos.
He told National point that a turning point came when youth unrest and insecurity led to an exodus of expatriates and businesses, concentrating development in Lagos.
“We lost it at that point,” Agwor stated, adding that the government at the time struggled to reverse the trend. He emphasized the crucial role of the private sector and the limitations of state governments in influencing economic policy.
While acknowledging Lagos’s continued dominance, Agwor expressed optimism that the current governor will address the challenges and restore Rivers State to its former prominence.
He believes that the government can attract investment by creating incentives and removing obstacles for businesses. “The government can intentionally provide some incentives that can create the avenue and create the opportunity for investors to return to Rivers State,” he explained.
Agwor stressed the importance of industrialization, recalling the vision behind the Trans-Amadi Industrial Layout. He highlighted the past success of operational industries in the area, which contributed significantly to Port Harcourt’s standing among Nigerian cities. He suggested a renewed focus on such initiatives to revitalize the city’s economy and reclaim its lost glory.
By Emmanuel Obe and Clifford Christopher Solomon
