…..As Investment Stakeholders, Professionals Speak, Gives Recommendations to Utilize Investment Opportunities In ANIOMA NATION
…. Anioma Intellectuals, Business Gurus Addressed Critical Questions, Issues On Investment; defines Roles And Responsibilies of APEDETT for Comparative Cost Advantage.
By Victor Bieni, Asaba
As part of efforts to think Anioma to Prosperity, inform and influence good governance and public policy for the strategic interests and development of Anioma people, Anioma Peoples Development Think-tank Initiative (APEDETT), a group of Intellectuals, Professionals, accomplished seasoned management gurus, Academics; home and diaspora led by its National President, Barr. Ikeazor Akaraiwe, (Senior Advocate of Nigeria, S.A.N) today proffers solutions, addresses critical questions and issues on Investment development; gives recommendations on available Investment opportunities in Anioma Nation, to harness areas of comparative cost Advantage for sustainable development of the area.
The one day APEDETT’s 2022 Investment Conference take place today being on Saturday, 29th January, held at David’s Hall, Anwai Road, Asaba, Delta State capital, event which was widely attended by different media organizations in within and across the state, the Conference with the theme : ” Appraising The Enablers & Drivers of Investments in Anioma”, with a major focus on attracting Investment to Anioma land.
APEDETT, an independent, non-partisan alliance of Anioma Professionals was inaugurated on 29th December 2011 and registered as non-governmental organization under “Incorporated Trustees” on the 3rd of April 2014 to develop and utilize an ideas bank for engagement with stakeholders in government, private sector and Civil Society for sustainable development of Anioma land.
The event which started at noon saw the introduction of participants by the Master of Ceremony, MC, Sammy Fejokwu, followed by a welcome address by the APEDETT President, Ikeazor Akaraiwe, S.A.N, and a brief lecture on Anioma Investment statistics,
by a seasoned Economist, Investment promoter, Chief Afam Obiago.
APEDETT’s Chairman, Board of Trustees and Delta State Chief Jobs Creation Agency, Prof Eric Eboh lectured Anioma People on the topic: “Rational and Benefits of the Investment conference”. The good will message was read by the representive of Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and Chairman of Delta State Investment Development Agency, DIDA Boss, Mr Paul Nmah, and Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area if Delta State, Hon. Obi Kelvin Ezenyili who stated the achievements of DIDA agency and Local Government Council in Governor Okowa’s administration, restated commitment to more Investment Development in Anioma land and Delta State in general.
Anioma people has echoed “YES WE CAN” to the critical questions and Issues on Investment development drives in the area as Anioma son, a seasoned Business guru, Group Managing Director, Rain Oil Group, Chief Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie presented a paper on the topic: “Opportunities and Challenges of the Business Environment In Anioma”. And second presenter, the present Delta State Commissioner For Finance, Sir Okenmor Fidelis Tilije who dwelt on the topic: “Significance Improvements of the Business Environment in Anioma since 2015 and implications for private sector Investment”.
The event saw the freedbacks, comments, conversations of Anioma Professionals, participants within Delta state, Nigeria and across the globe. And most importantly, the practical contributions, expositions of the following Discussants: Executive Assistant To Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Delta UNIDO Centre And Export Initiative, Chief Mrs Shimite Bello, who spoke extensively on the activities of the agency, while the Managing Director, Masterchem Industries Ltd, Mr. Lucky Chukwudi Onyesom, APEDETT’s Planning Committee members, Rapporteur team provided an in-depth strategies, possible ways of enhancing Investments and easy of doing business in Anioma land.
APEDETT’s leadership while commending the laudable achievements of Delta State Government across various sectors, the Conference noted the gaps in private Investments in Anioma land, identified existing Investment opportunities in areas such as Agriculture, Agro Industry, tourism and hospitality, trade and commerce, manufacturing, education sector, ICT services, solid minerals, oil and gas.
Before the closing prayers, President’s closing remarks at the event, the wrap-up and communique from the event was read as the symposium deliberated on four topical issues critical to Socio-economic development of Anioma people, which included among others: Oil and gas potentials and prospects, agribusiness and agro-industrialization, micro finance and enterprise development, arts and Culture for modern prosperity.
The leadership then call on Investors to come and invest in Anioma nation, also enjoined Anioma people to utilize every available Investment opportunities as observed and areas of comparative cost advantage included amongst others: Gas resources at Ndokwa area, Oil resources found in Kwale, Ute-Enugu, Abavo and others; Coal found in Ogwashi-Uku, Asaba and Obomkpa, availability of Kaolin at Ika area, establishment of ICT innovation, incubation centres, Oil Palm and cassava value chains, Rice Ecology belts at Ebu, IIlah, Oko, Ugili-Amai, Agro Industrial Park at Ogwashi-Uku, Making Asaba a Nollywood hub, The Umunede Transit Park, Shopping hub, food and beverages, Transportation, nearness to Western and Eastern Nigeria, boost in rail and personal services, increased tertiary Institutions in ANIOMA land, inflow of persons, private aquaculture, arts and crafts, Kwale industrial park, manufacturing opportunities in the area of ceramics, paper, synthetic rubber, glass and others.
Anioma Intellectuals, Professionals as a way of stimulating greater inflow of private Investments and businesses in Anioma Nation, which the group said would be a road map of actions for all Anioma sons and daughters in every sectors, public and private offices, within and in diaspora; the Conference recommended: “That Delta State Government as a matter of urgent importance pay priority attention to power shortages, road networks affecting industries operating in Anioma land. Government should explore the export potentials of cash crops such as maize, plantain, oil Palm, vegetables, latex, yam, cassava; and improved processing Infrastructure, replacement of crude implement with modern technologies”.
“That Anioma people should agitate for Economic restructuring or regional government, instead of succession, to harness the minerals in the region, tackle existing security challenges, appointment of responsible individuals. The huge gas reserves in Kwale should be harnessed, building of deep sea ports in ANIOMA land to utilize the 160 nautical miles for import and export, revamping of tourists attraction centres, remodelling of Anioma Cultural Festivals to attract both local and international sponsorship”.
“That Anioma people should harness the potentials if Asaba production hub; Media and entertainment, talents hunt, film production workshops to catch, build stars in ANIOMA movie Industry. Investment in off-grid, Independent power plant to connect Agbor-Itakpe rail line to solve the problem NERC”.
APEDETT’s leadership the highlighted some major roles and responsibilities the group will play to make the Anioma Investments development drives work in her long term plan. These are: To establish establish Chambers of commerce and Manufacturers Association in Agbor, Ogwashi-Uku and Ndokwa to complement that of Asaba, urged Delta State Government to take up action points, interventions in specific sectors as stated by APEDETT”.
“To Set up a platform for mentorship of her Youths to start-up businesses. To collaborate with NIRSAL, CBN to provide funds to support young businesses. To send conference resolutions to strategic government Institutions; locally, nationally, and internationally for implementation in ANIOMA land. Group urged Anioma young farmers, Entrepreneurs in the palm plantation business to utilize the assistance offered by RAIN OIL LTD in the area of given free imported palm seedlings”.