Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Col. Milland Dikio (rtd) and the Executive Director Business Development, Nexim Bank, Stella Okotete, have proffered solutions to the economic challenges facing Niger Delta region.
Point News247 reports that the trio stated this on Thursday at a one day economic summit organised by the PAP for its delegates with the theme ‘Restoring Wealth Creation In Niger Delta Region’.
Others at the summit inlcude a security expert, AVM Terry Okorodudu (rtd); ex-freedom fighter, High Chief Bibopere Ajube aka Shoot-at-Sight and business development coach, Francis Okumagba.
Okotete said while other regions in the country were taking advantage of their resources to create the needed wealth, people in the Niger Delta, particularly the youths were relying on handouts.
She said, “Non-oil sector is what is driving the economy of every country, and in this region, there are a lot of resources that can be exported. The various governments in the region need to create the enabling environment for more investors to come.
“The government needs to create a balance between economic and infrastructural development. It’s not just enough to build roads. Yes, roads are good but they should also build industries.
“We must look at the export space. Export creates massive wealth. We must wake up and look into the future. Nobody will build the Niger Delta for us, it is only we that can do that. Let us start selling our region to the world and create a better future for our children.”
On his part, Governor Okowa called for more private sector involvement in the development of the region, noting that government alone cannot do it.
Okowa, represented by the Executive Secretary, Delta State Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Orezi Esievo, noted the importance of SMEs to any economy.
“Our administration is open to partnership that will ensure sustainable wealth is created for people of Delta State and the region as a whole,” he said.
In his remark, Dikio said the summit was aimed at highligting the limitless opportunities readily available within the region to enable the ex-agitators have an idea of how to benefit from them.
“This summit is a test-run of a larger one to come next year that will be all encompassing. Basically, we are here to preach the gospel of shared prosperity. We can talk about how rich and prosperous Niger Delta is but if we don’t do something about it, it will be more wishful thinking,” Dikio said.
AVM Okorodudu (rtd) added that it was unfortunate that since 2009 when the amnesty programme started, agencies of government like the Niger Delta Development Commission, had failed to carry out their responsibility of reconstruction.