The Federal Government has said that it will not play
politics with its resolve to press on with the economic diversification and industrialization programme of the Niger Delta region...
Minister of Niger Delta
Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani, who gave the assurance when the Presidential
Economic Team for the Niger Delta region visited Asaba, Delta State, added that
the administration has genuine plans to develop the region. Usani advised
people from the Niger Delta region not to have any doubt about the commitment
of the current administration to genuinely diversify the region’s economy for
industrial development. According to him, “This administration has not accepted
any plan to be deceptive in our programmes and this is the reason the
government is starting this programme in the Niger Delta region that will
sustain the economy by engaging more people in this presidential initiative.
“Given the global situation and the peculiarity of the Niger Delta region,
whatever an investor is trying to do, we want it to be endorsed by the
communities.” He said that what the current administration aims to achieve by
strengthening the various sectors of the Niger Delta region was to create jobs
as an initiative that will boost the economy productively. Pastor Usani thanked
the Delta State Government for hosting the Presidential Economy Diversification
and Industrialisation Programme and partnership for its successful
implementation in Delta State. In his remarks at the event, Governor Ifeanyi
Okowa said that the initiative to Delta State was particularly encouraging,
because “it agrees with the steps we are consciously taking to wean our state
and people from sole dependence on oil.” Okowa, who was represented by the
Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mr Festus Agas, said: “The revamping of
the projects will be a great relief to us, as it will enhance our well being,
generate businesses and wealth in a sustainable manner, strengthen
industrialisation efforts and create employment, thereby reducing reliance of
the economy on oil.” He said that the state has also put in place, the Delta
State Investment Development Agency to regulate, administer public private
partnership investments and guarantee a smooth experience for investors. He
also said that the state was pleased with the sincere commitment to the
initiative to resuscitate both moribund and ailing industries in the State. On
her part, National Co-ordinator of New Partnership for Africa2 s Development,
Princess Gloria Akobundu advised that the people of Delta State to key into the
programme in order to benefit from it. The moribund and ailing industries in
Delta State visited by the team and the investors include Kikachukwu Farms,
Leather Works and Shoe Factory, Fish Farm Mill, Rubber Plantation, Senforce
Vegetable Oil Factory, Songhai Delta Integrated Farms, Bendel Steel Structures
Limited, Bendel Glass Company, Casssava Processing Plant and the Federal
Government Otorogu Gas processing plant. Some of the investors at the event
were China Energy Alliance, Union Energy, Kia Kia Gas, Jork Engineering
Company, Chingwoo, Axion, Global Smartfit Nigeria Limited, NNPC among others.
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