Delta to partner NEPC to promote export

The Delta State Government has reiterated its drive to achieve sustainable development through the exploration of non-oil sector.
The state Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, made the remark at a forum organised by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council on Thursday in Abuja.
Uduaghan, in a lecture titled: “Delta Beyond Oil,” said the government initiative was to reduce over dependence on oil “and it is now clear that oil cannot guarantee the industrialisation of our state.
“This has become a campaign and a template for us.
“We are currently exploring various avenues to actualise it.
“Workable strategies have been deployed, including public sensitisation on the need to look elsewhere other than oil and gas.
“As you may be aware, it is difficult for the average Niger Delta person to explore the non-oil sector.
“And I have been told by people that it will be hard to develop with that mentality.”
The governor said that the other strategies for development include the development of special economic zones, ecosystem, private sector development and foreign direct investment, using development partners.
Uduaghan added: “In furtherance to these, the Koko/Ogidibe Free Trade Zone, Warri Industrial Business Park and the Asaba ICT Village were established as foundation.
“Basically, the agenda of the government is to deepen peace and security, human capital development and development of physical infrastructure.”
The governor said that collaboration with the NEPC was necessary to expand the horizon of the state’s exportable products, adding: “Delta needs assistance of NEPC to gain access to global market.
“As much as we are building the capacity of the people through skill acquisition on various trades, a corresponding need to export some of our products has arisen.
“Our people have attended professional training in shoe making from Milan, Italy and they are churning out quality shoes that compare to Italian quality.”
Uduaghan said that the essence of the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises could not be over emphasised.
“The clusters of entrepreneurs in any society invariably result in industrialisation of such a society,” he said.
The Chief Executive of Officer of NEPC, Segun Awolowo, said the steps taken by the Delta State Government to reduce dependence on oil were legendary.
Awolowo expressed delight over the visit of officials from the state to understudy procedures to export of goods and services.
He said: “Your visit is both timely and strategic for a number of reasons.
“First, it was only last Tuesday, July 15, that the National Bureau of Statistics released the GDP for first quarter of 2014, which stated that the country’s GDP grew by 6.21 per cent.
“In that report, the oil sector recorded a negative real growth rate of 6.0 per cent indicating a better performance over the past two quarters.
“Interestingly, the non-oil sector recorded a real growth rate of 8.21 per cent performing better than oil.
“This upward trend in the growth of the non-oil sector can only be attributed to intensified drive by the government and partners to diversify the economy.
“Therefore, for the Delta State Government to think beyond a monolithic economy, which is oil-based, needs to be celebrated.
“And we urging the rest states to join the queue.”
The event attracted representatives of development partners, Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission and other agencies of government.