Fubara Declares Rivers State Fully Open for Business, Tourism, Reaffirms Peace

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has asserted that the state is “safe, peaceful and fully open for business and tourism,” pushing back against recent negative media coverage.

Speaking at the finale of the Python Golf Club’s Sixth Chief Ikenna Okafor Pro-Am Championship in Port Harcourt, Fubara highlighted the large turnout of guests from across Africa as proof that confidence in Rivers is returning The governor credited coordinated security efforts with restoring calm after a period of political tension, and he reiterated his administration’s commitment to transforming the state into a business and tourist hub. His government plans include developing agro-industrial clusters, establishing tourism development zones, and supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises through improved power infrastructure Fubara’s optimistic message follows the lifting in September of a six-month state of emergency imposed by the federal government earlier in the year. He argued that isolated incidents in the state have been exaggerated for political effect and emphasized that recovery must go beyond rhetoric: “Let Rivers not just be known for oil or for politics … let us also be known for our culture, our hospitality,” he said While analysts applaud the symbolic power of international events such as the golf tournament, they stress that lasting investor confidence will depend on tangible improvements in security, transparent governance and economic reform. Critics continue to call for measurable outcomes, arguing that political stability must be matched with institutional integrity Government officials say they will intensify public-private partnerships and fast-track reforms to market Rivers State’s attractions both locally and globally. For Fubara, the mission is clear: transform Rivers into a destination for business, tourism and sustainable growth.