DELTA SET TO BUILD MODULAR REFINERY, TELECOM TOWER PLANT
Stronger Delta Mantra: "A Strategic Blueprint To Remodel And Make The State Economy Stronger Than What It Was From 2015 To 2019".
In order to fulfil its 2019 electioneering campaign promises, the Okowa administration in Delta state has commenced proactive and result oriented steps tagged "Stronger Delta mantra".
According to the government, this is a strategic blueprint to remodel and make the state economy stronger than what it was from 2015 to 2019.
In a meeting of the State Executive Council, Exco, presided over by His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa on Tuesday, it was decided that a modular refinery be established to refine petrol and value-chain products for Deltans and at the same time, create jobs and wealth in line with the second tenure Stronger Delta agenda.
Briefing journalists after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Hon Charles Aniagwu disclosed that Governor Okowa has set in motion, a smooth process for the gradual implementation of policies and programmes of government, which includes; star projects earmarked for the remaining three years life span of this administration.
According to the Information Commissioner in his briefing, "the modular refinery will be established at Okpai in Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
Aniagwu further added that "Delta is known for its petrochemicals and Exco believes that it is high time we participated in that Sector".
Speaking further, he disclosed that the State Exco approved the establishment of a Telecom Tower Plant Company on a public-private partnership arrangement to provide additional jobs for unemployed undergraduates, employable youths and women with special talents.
"The tower plant will boost the state economy due to its economic potentials and money spinning capacity and the Exco also looked at a proposal by a company to produce tower for the telecom sector with the tower production plant sited at Issele-Uku in Aniocha North Local Government Area, he further added.
Similarly, the state government in its deliberate efforts to review moribund companies in the state, also appointed a committee to assess the state of Africa Timber and Plywood (AT&P), Sapele and determine how the land it is occupying could be effectively utilised for other ventures.
Aniagwu, who was joined at the press briefing by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, also reaffirmed that the 2020 budget of the State was being reviewed in line with developments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He assured Deltans that the state governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa and his team were working out programmes that would get them positively engaged and reduce the effects of the ravaging Covid-19 pandemic.
"The state government would be partnering the private sector to train some youths on how to construct telecommunication towers.
"Due to Covid-19, what we had today was more of economic Exco meeting as it was basically on how to re-jig the economy of the State to get more of our people engaged now and after the Covid-19.
"Most of us are aware of the agro-industrial Park at Aboh-Ogwashi; Exco approved that government should explore that window provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agriculture Loan to see that the industrial park which will be private sector-driven come on stream.
"The industrial park is big and you are aware that Norsworthy is among the companies that is investing and managing the park.
"The meeting also examined the AT&P that occupies a vast area in Sapele and we are looking at how to auction some of the machinery and look at how to utilise that land to help more people to be employed.
"All that I have mentioned as approved by Exco are value-driven projects that will be of benefits to our people.
" Ddue to the fall in price of oil in the international market and the effects of Covid-19, the 2020 budget of the state had been reviewed and would be presented to the House of Assembly for approval.
"Our people should take Covid-19 serious by going for medical checks once they had any symptom of the ailment.
"The number of Covid-19 cases is on the rise in the state, and I urge Deltans to take responsibility by obeying laid down health protocols.
"We don't want to hear about mysterious deaths in our state; so, go for test so that we can get out of the curve; there is nothing to run away from, the government is committed to ensuring that the state is out of the spike and safe for everybody," he said.
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