KOREAN AMBASSADOR: INSECURITY REPORTAGE IN RIVERS, OTHERS EXAGGERATED.

The South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Kim Young-Chae, says the purported insecurity in Rivers State and some other parts of the country is exaggerated by the media.

The South Korean Ambassador stated this when he paid a courtesy call to Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State at Government House, Port Harcourt.

Young-Chae explained that contrary to negative media reports, he felt safe visiting Rivers, Bayelsa, Adamawa, Ogun and others states ins the country, emphasizing that the media coverage insecurity in the country is often exaggerated and making matters worse.

He however hinted that political stability of Nigeria remains a key determinant factor for Korean companies willing to invest in Nigeria, noting that his visit is to ensure the continuous political stability in Nigeria.

Young-Chae said Korea is seeking more economic cooperation with Rivers State and the rest of the country in the areas of construction, oil, gas, agriculture, fishery and even cosmetic, medicine, pharmaceutical products.

He declared his readiness to help Nigerian companies penetrate into Korean and East Asian markets which combined Gross Domestic Product now surpass that of Europe and North America respectively.

The Ambassador who was accompanied by his wife and officials of Korean Embassy, commended Governor Wike able leadership over the years which had brought to bear enormous progress in terms of infrastructure.

Responding, Governor Wike commended the South Korean Ambassador for his pragmatic and objective analysis of the security situation in Rivers State.

Governor Wike who noted that it is not in doubt the insecurity challenge the country is facing and the world in general, Rivers State remains one of the safest states in Nigeria today.

The Governor disclosed that prior to the take off of the ten billion dollars NLNG Train seven project, he held meetings with the Managing Director of Daewoo and Saigem and they were quite satisfied with the level of security in the state, emphasizing that if there is insecurity in the state, NLNG Train 7 which he noted is one of the biggest investment in the country cannot take place in the state.

Speaking on the issue of unemployment, the Governor explained that if the national economy is not stable, it will invariably affect the sub-nationals and expressed the willingness of Rivers State government to partner with the Republic of Korean in agriculture, technical education and medicine.

The Governor observed that most countries are now depending less on oil as a major source of revenue hence for Rivers State to survive, the government is focusing on agriculture by establishing a cassava processing company.

 He remarked that the state government is willing to provide all necessary documentation, land and give all the necessary waivers and incentives to Korean investors wishing to invest in agricultural sector in Rivers State.