Delta without oil remains our goal, says Governor Uduaghan

Source: pointblanknews.com

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has reaffirmed the determination of his administration to drive the state economy without oil.

Speaking at the weekend in Warri, at a forum with the Business Community the Governor warned of the consequences of relying too much on oil.

“It is my determination to run the economy of Delta State without oil, we must look away from oil which is a depleting resources. As a State Government, from the word go, we came out with our three point agenda of peace and security, infrastructural development and human capital development with an overall goal of economy development; we have objective of attracting industries to Delta State because without industries, there cannot be economy development and our second goal was that of creating a Delta State without oil,” he said.

The Governor added; “Right now, we are almost one hundred percent dependent on oil. We believe that as a State, we have enough resources, both natural and human resources to create a state that is not totally dependent on oil, the oil can finish tomorrow. We believe that we can create an economy that is not entirely dependent on oil and that is really our overall goal.”

Governor Uduaghan revealed that the State Gas Initiative Committee was working to give the state adequate gas, but lamented that over 95% of gas produced in the Western Zone is piped to the Escravos Pipeline to Lagos and beyond.

“So that what is left for us to use in Delta and Edo is very small and that is why for you to get gas in this area, you really need to sweat and negotiate. We produce a lot, but it is not available for us in this vicinity to utilize. We have pushed for the Federal Government for us to have more gas in Delta State. We are very anxious about gas because we need it,” the Governor said.

 
On the Warri Industrial Business Park, Governor Uduaghan stated that the land had been acquired and most of the paper works had been done too, adding that the next thing was to pay compensation and move to site and urged investors to take advantage of the prevailing peace in the state to carry out their businesses.

Earlier, the National Vice President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Edo/Delta, Dr. Austin Lazarus Asimonye implored the Governor to give members of MAN a rundown of his administration industrial policy for them to key into it.

“This is the opportunity that we have been yearning for. We want you to support our plans for industries to grow in the state. Give us a rundown of your industrial policy for us to work with it,” he stated.

The President of Delta Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, mines and Agriculture, David O. Iweta harped on the need for the Escravos bar to be dredged to allow bigger vessels come to the Warri Ports.