Any responsible government must take laudable steps to satisfy the yearnings of its citizens by initiating measures that would attract investments and make living worthwhile. Such measures may include the production of services and encouraging individuals and corporate bodies to tap into government policies and programs to cover areas open for investments and further production activities.
From the inception of the administration of the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewvori in Delta State, the state government, besides tackling problems of infrastructure and employment, has taken steps to encourage the private sector to leverage its disposition to fit into the areas of lack for the benefit of the people, the government, and the investors.
Recently, the Director-General of Delta Investment and Development Agency (DIDA), Hon. Emeka Elekeokwuri, reechoed the stance of the state government by inviting prospective investors seeking a conducive environment and attractive incentives to do business to leverage on the peace and favourable economic situation in the state.
The invitation was apt, timely, and in line with the government’s desire to improve on revenue and render expected governance that touches people’s lives in all ramifications. In this era of hunger occasioned by the high cost of living, every action initiated to assuage the condition of the populace is a welcome development.
With the growing economic hardships and dwindling economy, some states have continued to explore ways to boost their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). The idea of making the state investors-friendly is to achieve huge revenue for project execution and other demands that could place the state on the right pedestrians. One such way is industrialization.
Delta State can boast of human and natural resources in quantum. Among available natural resources are oil and gas, silica, and kaolin. Agreed that the federal government and private oil companies have invested in some of these resources, but there are still avenues open for more investors.
Also, there are infrastructure available in the state for the convenience of investors. For instance, Delta State can boast of viable airports, good road networks, railways, and seaports that investors can access easily.
Before now, the state has encouraged investments through concessions and Private Public Partnership (PPP), but the current economic situation requires more efforts to attract investors to areas yet to be explored.
However, it is not enough to open your doors and invite prospective investors to your state. There must be appreciable incentives that will attract stakeholders. Such incentives as free land allocation and tax waivers are necessary to encourage corporate bodies to open a rewarding relationship with the state.
Operators of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have raised the alarms over multiple taxations as some individuals engaged in touting and charging business owners various sums daily. Such involvements must be stopped in line with existing laws in the State. With the current disposition of the state government, we join in the call for prospective investors to take up interest in investing in Delta State. We also call on the state government to pursue the proposal by announcing policies to attract investments that will help the government and the people.
More importantly, the government should prioritize power generation as a primary infrastructure to boost investment, while youths and community leaders should ensrue peaceful environment for visitors to do businesses in their areas.
Unlike some other states, Delta State can boast of relative peace and security. This will encourage anybody or groups to make investments such as in agriculture, oil and gas, power generation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and environmental remediation.
Besides available infrastructures, peace and security have always been guaranteed to ensure comfort and social relationships. Therefore, investors willing to diversify their economic base should identify with the state government and reap the benefits inherent in such a relationship.
The benefits are three-pronged as the company, the state and the people will enjoy the relationship. While the investors will enjoy dividends, the state will have increased IGR, while the people, particularly the youths, will have employment.
In the long run, huge investment in the state will check youth restiveness, bring development, and guarantee sustainable peace and security.
