Rivers State Government has called on Air France to return to Port Harcourt
International Airport.
Governor Nyesom Wike made the call during a Courtesy Visit by the
Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier at the Government House
Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The airline exited Port Harcourt over the state of insecurity in the state.
Wike called on the French Embassy to take steps to ensure that Air France
returns to Port Harcourt. He said the state government is prepared to
support the airline through relevant policies.
He urged the management of Air France to reconsider their action and return
to Port Harcourt.
The Governor also said that his Administration will continue to work
towards enhancing a fruitful relationship with the French Government.
He explained that the state government will sanction any company that
awards surveillance jobs to cultists.
Governor Wike said that before such surveillance jobs are awarded, the
companies should inform the State Government for proper scrutiny of the
beneficiaries.
Companies encourage cultists by giving them surveillance jobs. We must know
those doing these surveillance jobs.
When you empower them, they have more money to acquire arms. Any company
that gives surveillance jobs to cultists will be sanctioned.
He appealed to the French Ambassador to prevail on the authorities not to
politicise the security of the country.
Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr Jerome Pasquier noted that there is a
major French Presence in Rivers State through the operations of Total and
other professionals. He said that the embassy will continue to work towards
greater French Presence in the State.
He said that the Embassy is working to persuade more French investors to
come to Nigeria, especially Rivers State.