Vice President Yemi Osinbanjo on Thurday stressed the need for investors and public officers to shun corruption in all their engagements just as he asked the Bayelsa State Government to establish culture of zero-tolerance for corruption as a guide for attracting foreign and local investors to the state.
He made the call at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, while declaring open the second edition of the Bayelsa State Investment and Economic Forum with a theme: “Unfolding Bayelsa State Industrial Future”.
The summit attracted investment experts from different parts of the world, captains of industries, traditional rulers and political office holders.
The vice president, who was represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said security must be made the first priority for the federal and state governments in their drive for investments.
He also pointed out that with improved security and functional criminal justice system, Bayelsa will significantly attract increased enterprises in all aspects of its economy.
He said: “The government must remain open to regular consultations and collaborations with the business sector so as to meet the development and employment needs of local communities.
“We simply cannot afford to neglect the needs of local communities because they are the ones we are here to serve. Let us look at ways of establishing a synergy of symbiotic relationship between new investments and support for small and medium scale enterprises which invariably have the strong influence on local economy”.
Osinbajo also urged the government to ensure total compliance with regulatory standards and give fair treatment to all investors.
