Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), has intensified its drive for enhanced partnership with local and multinational companies for direct investment in the state economy.
Director General of the agency, Hon Anthony Elekeokwuri, made the call on Sunday July 28, 2024, in Asaba, the State capital while addressing members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), during the Journalists Hangout.
The former lawmaker who represented Ika northeast at the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), reiterated the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration’s resolve to jumpstart the state economy.
He noted that Delta, is the next destination for investment which is known for peace, highest return on investment, insisting that the State was the next destination and best place for investment for now.
According to him, “we must change the narrative and bring investments into this State. We are looking at our natural resources, Delta State has the potentials and we are very rich in oil and gas.
“And often times, we hear that we want to diversify but while we are diversifying, we will not lose sight of what we have because we have a comparative advantage over other States.
“A State that produces over 30 percent of the crude oil that they export in this country, why are we not supposed to benefit?
“If you look at the agricultural sector, you will also discover that we have over 65 percent of Deltans in that particular sector while the oil and gas industry employs only five percent even with huge marginers.
“While we are trying to encourage agriculture, we are also looking at the high profit and high turnover that we are seeing in the oil and gas industry.
“To diversify is good. It is good for us to be able to enlarge our taxnet but it is not just about IGR but it is about employment of our resources ; human capital and natural resources.
“If we look at the tourism and aquaculture industries; not just the oil and gas industry, we are looking at the mineral resources we have in this State.
“It will interest you to know that in this State, we produce glass and glass is made from Celica. Celica, is a natural resource that we have in Ughelli, Warri and environ”, pointing out the foreign-direct investment would come when there are export elements in them.
He stressed the need for whatever is produced in the State to start and end here, that is, from cultivation, to planting, to harvesting and processing, to packaging, “in this value chain, people get employed.
He disclosed that the strategies of DIDA under his watch, is to create enabling environment and jobs for Deltans, which would result into a multiplier effect for the people.
