AS the nation faces dwindling revenue as a result of the continuous decline in the price of oil in the international market, the Governor of Delta State, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa has called on prospective investors to seize the good economic environment in the state to make their investments.
The call, according to Senator Okowa, was necessitated by the abundant human and material resources available for investments to thrive. To him, the enabling environment has been created and “Delta State is an investor’s haven.”
Evidently, the companies operating in the state have quick returns on their investments with lots of profit outlays.
But, the question one is tempted to ask is, are all the companies paying their taxes to the state government? This question has become necessary because, apart from the multi-national corporations, many companies, including those manufacturing different products, dot different parts of the state and, in some cases, their operational addresses do not reflect the fact that they are in Delta State.
Apart from the fact that having a lot of investors in the state will shore up the internally-generated revenue of the state, it is a fact that Delta State is so blessed with a lot of minerals which when tapped, the state will become a beehive of industrial activities.
Governor Okowa, who spoke recently during the commissioning of Lee Oasis Supermarket, Warri, and the ground breaking of Trebet A1 Factory Extension at Uvwie, all in Delta State, asserted, “we are a very friendly and peaceful people, we have a lot of human and natural resources, obviously, Delta State is the place to be when you talk about investment.”
To the governor, the Trebet A1 factory expansion project estimated to cost about six million Euros; committed for an ultra-modern processing factory fitted with state- of the-art equipment for the production of various premium juices, carbonated drinks and water, was a good initiative which was only possible because of the friendly investment environment. The governor reiterated, “we must realize that the more we create the enabling environment for investors to come, the more job opportunities that will be available for our youths, our women and opportunities for our people.”
The governor preached prosperity and, as a man of honour, he has rolled out programmes to ensure that every six months, 6, 000 direct jobs are created.
Of course, with the 6, 000 direct jobs comes the multiplier benefits of people who will work at the 6, 000 small or medium, scale enterprises that may emanate from the 6, 000 persons who will be trained, empowered and monitored to carry out their trades.
The governor should also go the extra mile to bring in international investors. For instance, government can partner international companies to set up industries in different parts of the state to utilize the abundance of Delta Gets A Boost As Gov. Okowa Performs Ground-Breaking For Six Million Euro Factory
What of Kaolin? Delta is so blessed that while the government is committed to empowering the people, it can set aside some funds for industries.
Yes! Government has no business doing business but, government can get investors to do business. It is not impossible to have functional companies utilizing minerals existing in the state to produce different products within two years of Governor Okowa’s administration.
Governor Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa clay in the state to produce, breakable plates; after all who says it is impossible to have ‘Delta wares”? Such industries may not be established on large scale which will amount to white elephant projects, but can be sited with the aim of future expansion. There is a place in Ndokwa West Local Government Area where there is unique clay that experts have come to source for the material. A tile manufacturing company can be sited in such an area and who says it is only one company that has the monopoly of utilizing the glass sand that is available in Ughelli?
At Ugboba, neighboring town to Obomkpa, sits huge deposits of “matured coal”. Coal still remains a major mineral for export to some countries and Governor Okowa’s administration can go the extra mile in getting genuine investors to tap such resources. What of Kaolin? Delta is so blessed that, while the government is committed to empowering the people, it can set aside some funds for industries.
Yes; government has no business doing business but, government can get investors to do business. It is not impossible to have functional companies utilizing minerals existing in the state to produce different products within two years of Governor Okowa’s administration.
The joy in having such is that both the community where such industries are sited, the local government areas, the state and Nigeria will be the beneficiaries.
So many companies such as the moribund Asaba Textile Mill came into existence as a result of the commitment of a government; it is also possible to tap the resources of the state genuinely through partnership with notable companies for such industries to be set up.
What will it cost to have a tomatoes puree company at Igbodo? Or is it impossible to properly package the banana in Umunede and possibly export “Umunede banana” to other parts of Nigeria and beyond?
God has made Deltans prosperous people. Revenue from oil and gas came and distracted the government from looking inward. Delta is sitting on water, so, it is ridiculous that the people import fish from God-knows where, when they are supposed to be exporting different types of fish and shrimps. Bamboo grows in every part of the state, but, are we utilizing this God’s gift to produce toothpick which has become a huge import product to Nigeria?
We are too blessed to be cursed. Delta is like the Biblical Garden of Eden; but it requires a focused and determined leader to make the people have the full benefits of what they are endowed with and Governor Okowa’s administration should sincerely pursue sustainable posterity for Deltans by encouraging the manufacturing sector. We should not be comfortable in producing raw materials for others to utilize to our disadvantage. We should be interested in getting the end products and possibly source raw materials from other places. Those who own palm plantations should be encouraged to go into manufacturing and ensure proper packaging of their products. They can produce high quality soap for the world; and government should make them to brand their products as Made in Delta State, Nigeria, we should be proud of what we have and utilize what we have and save our nation from the huge capital flight that is making the price of dollars to soar.
The time to act is now, and for you that is reading this piece; what are you doing to create a prosperous Delta?
What are you manufacturing? Do you own a garden? Where is your fish pond, Or you are waiting for loan from government?
With your N1, 000, you can buy maize and plant at your back yard.
Be a prosperous Deltan, do something.
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