20,000 plus have benefitted from Delta job, wealth creation – Okowa

Ilori Ogunmola

No fewer than 20,000 persons have benefitted from the Delta State’s Job and Wealth Creation programme since its inception.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa disclosed this on Wednesday 2nd October at the 2nd Warri Economic Summit held in Warri, Delta State.

The event was convened by Mr Michael Tidi, Chairman, Warri South Local Government Area.

The governor, who was represented at the event by his Chief of Staff, Mr David Edevbie, said that no meaningful development could be attained without peace.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring peaceful and harmonious coexistence amongst all ethnic nationalities in the state to enhance development.

“Since 2015, we have worked tirelessly toward improving the lives of our people through policies and programmes on peace building, economic growth and sustainability.”

“No real development can take place in the absence of peace, Delta has been largely peaceful since the inception of this administration.”

“In the last four years, we have covered all the local governments in the state with our quest to ensuring inclusive economic growth and sustainable development.”

“Warri is strategically located and can easily become and economic hub in the country once the investment climate is bright.”

“With the inauguration of the Warri/Effurun and environs Development Agency, it is our hope that the development of the areas will be accelerated to attract the right investment,” Okowa said.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Mr. Michael Tidi said the council was midwifing a process that would lead to the birth of 1000 hectares of palm oil plantation.

He said the project will start in 18 months time and will be sited in one of the rural communities.

Tidi said the oil palm project will reduce spending on import of palm oil, thus rake in millions of dollars in revenue for the local government, Delta State and Nigeria.

“We all know that oil is a wasting asset, we clearly cannot build our future on something that may not be there when our children grow up.”

“According to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigeria imports palm oil of 500 million US Dollars about N175 billion.”

Mr Gabriel Aggey, former Executive Director, Nigeria Gas Company in his keynote address advised the people of Warri to also invest in gas business.

According to him, gas is a lifetime investment.

“Warri is the hub of gas production but unfortunately we are not utilising what belongs to us.

“Both state and local governments should come together and create the enabling environment for business to thrive,” he said.

Other resource persons at the event were, Amaju Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Dr Musibau Babatunde, Special Adviser on Economic Affairs to the Oyo state governor.

Prof. Adeola Adenikinju Director, Centre for Petroleum Energy Economics and Law, UI, Mr Amos Irueden, Bamidele Ayodele and Mr Zion Oshiobugie all spoke on ways to develop Warri.