Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi
Governor of Rivers State
Historical Profile
Port Harcourt which today is both the headquarters of the hydrocarbon industry and the second largest commercial city in Nigeria started at about 1913 when the colonial authorities in Nigeria needed a port to export the coal from the Enugu (Eastern Nigeria) Coal mines to countries overseas. Coal was evacuated from the mines by rail to the port before being shipped out by ocean liners. The port city was named after Mr. Harcourt the then Colonial Secretary.
Environmental Profile
Port Harcourt is both the capital of Rivers State and its only major city. Rivers state is at the southern tip of Nigeria, a littoral state covering 10,378sq kilometers and bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It is at the heart of the Niger Delta, one of the world’s richest wetlands.
The vegetation is largely tropical rain and mangrove forests.
The climate is humid equatorial, with mean annual rainfall ranging from 1,900-4000 millimeter and experiences two marked climatic conditions- rainy and dry seasons.
Port Harcourt administratively is divided into two Local Government Areas – Port Harcourt and Obi/Akpor, but authority resides more on the Governor of the state, who is Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi.
Infrastructure
Literally Rivers State is a one city-state with Port Harcourt as the city and capital. Though there are 23 (twenty three) local governments making up the state, Port Harcourt and the Greater Port Harcourt constitute 2 (local government areas).
Most of the key industries and commercial activities are located in
Port Harcourt.
There is adequate road network and maritime / inland waterway transportation bringing people in and out of the city. Air transportation is available with the International Airport and two seaports also.
Port Harcourt city is easily accessible, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally, through mobile and fixed line telephones and contemporary communication network. Internet facilities are really available.
There are several public and privately owned television and radio stations.
The State is additionally endowed with agricultural products such as Timber, Rubber, Palm Oil, Cassava, Plantain, Banana, Yam, Fish and other marine products.
Port Harcourt and its environs are awash with five, four and three star hotels and other types of guest accommodation to suit all classes of guest. Currently, the city provides about 3,000 guest rooms.
To satisfy the varying tastes of all natural residents in the state, there exists several Restaurants and recreation centers.
Today, militancy has been quelled, amnesty extended to militants and re-orientation and skills acquisition are ongoing. The government is also taking all necessary steps to make Port Harcourt the preferred investment destination, including the design and implementation of the Greater Port Harcourt City area. This includes correcting the distorted old city plan, and emergence of a new city around the Port Harcourt International Airport and the Energy City around the present Onne Oil and Gas Free Zone / Ports.
Major Investments
Port Harcourt is the capital of the Oil and Gas Industry in the Gulf of Guinea and indeed Africa.
All the International Oil and Gas companies that operate in Nigeria have their Operational Headquarters / Bases in the city.
The oil and gas industry is supported by a vibrant commercial sector, with an expanding Import / Export Trade.
Energy Network
The Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) is the engine room driving the organised private sector. Other key energy / business support organisations in the State include: - the Petroleum Engineering Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN), The manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN), the National Employers Consultative Assembly (NECA) the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and NASSI, the National Association of Small Scale Industries.