Delta Economic/Investment Summit: Akpos Extol Gov Oborevwori, Described Him as Apostle Of Development
*Says the initiative is to turn Delta into an investment-driven state
By Matthias Ogbagah & Laura Ohovwore
UGHELLI – Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s Executive Assistant (EA) on Oil & Gas matters, Chief Edafevwotu Akpos, has extolled Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to moving Delta State to an investment -driven state.
Akpos gave the commendation while addressing a cream of journalists in Warri, the economic capital of Delta State.
The former chairman of the Independent Petroleum Market Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Chief Edafevwotu Akpos, described Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as an apostle of development and a great asset to Delta State.
According to him, the move demonstrated Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to moving Delta State from dependence on government spending to a stronger, investment-driven economy.
He noted that the summit will bridge the gap between the foreign and local contractors in the state and beyond, noting that it provides a platform for government, investors, entrepreneurs, financial institutions, development partners and local businesses to sit at the same table, identify opportunities and discuss practical ways of attracting investments into the state.
His words: “For me, it is not just another political event. It is about creating the environment for businesses to grow, jobs to be created, and the state’s enormous economic potential to be converted into real opportunities for our people”.
According to him, the initiative is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Governor that is fundamentally about economic growth, investment, job creation and improving opportunities for Nigerians. At the state level, Governor Oborevwori’s investment initiative complements that broader direction.
While commending the state government for the bold step, he said, “A state government cannot create every job by itself. What government can do is provide the infrastructure, policies, security, incentives and confidence that encourage the private sector to invest. That is the direction Governor Oborevwori is pursuing.
“I see the summit as part of a larger partnership between the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and Delta State’s MORE Agenda—More Prosperity, Opportunities, Roadmaps and Enhanced Peace and Security”, he stated.
Akpos noted that the benefits of the summit to Deltans and Nigerians as a whole are that the ultimate beneficiaries of the summit are Deltans, and that when genuine investments come to the state, they will bring employment opportunities, contracts, skills development, new businesses, technology transfer and increased economic activity.
“Our young people stand to gain from jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities. Our small and medium-sized businesses can gain access to new markets and partnerships.
Communities can benefit from economic activities around new investments, while the state itself benefits from a stronger revenue base.
Akpos advised that the success of the summit should not be measured by speeches or photographs, but by the investments that eventually come into the state, the jobs created and the businesses that expand.
While encouraging local contractors in the state to embrace the opportunity, he said, “I will strongly encourage our local contractors to position themselves for the opportunities that this initiative can create. Local contractors must not wait until outsiders come into Delta and take every opportunity. They should upgrade their capacity, maintain proper documentation, improve their professional standards and form strategic partnerships where necessary, he advised.
“An investment summit can expose local contractors to investors, developers, financial institutions and major companies looking for credible local partners. That can translate into construction contracts, supply opportunities, consultancy engagements, employment and long-term business relationships.
“My advice to our contractors is simple: don’t just attend the summit—prepare for the opportunities the summit can create”.
