IT’s evident that in a couple of years, the socio-economic landscape of Delta State would have been radically transformed, enhancing the overall wellbeing of the residents and further expanding the sub-national economy. This projection is basically predicated on the strategic initiatives of the state government’s drive of its social and economic advancement programmes. Such initiatives that are holding abundant hopes for the state comprise of the Delta State Community Action for Reliance and Economic Stimulus (D-CARES). Under the programme, 208,209 indigenes of the state have been empowered, to date, to drive their micro, small and medium enterprises across the state. Just on September 17, 2024 the governor flagged off the fourth disbursement of the scheme with a whopping 97,000 persons benefitting in valuable equipment and start-up packs to boost their businesses.
Significantly, a N20million cheque was issued to the Okpokunu community during the launching of the fourth tranche of the programme for social development activities in the area, being a key component. And few days ago, Governor Oborevwori presented agricultural inputs to 6,020 farmers to boost food production in the state.
The material support covers crop, livestock and fish farming, which thrive profitably across the state.
During the flag-off ceremony in Asaba, the Governor observed: “As an administration, we seek to create avenues for every Deltan regardless of their back ground or political affiliation to access opportunities that will expand their enterprises, enable them to create wealth, improve their living conditions and contribute to the overall socioeconomic development of our state.”
While empowering the over 6,000 farmers, he asserted: “Agriculture remains a key pillar of our development strategy and through this disbursement, we aim to enhance food production, increase household incomes, and ultimately improve the livelihood of thousands of Deltans.”
As a strong commitment of the administration to support agriculture, Governor Oborevwori added that “in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency, New Partnership for African Development (AUDA, NEPAD) to further strengthen MORE small holder farmers in Delta State, N1billion has been approved as counterpart fund to empower 2,000 farmers for food production, livestock and aquaculture.” It is hoped the fund would be released soonest.
The innovative economic stimulus programme of the administration is indeed commendable. Well intentioned, it is delightful that the scheme is devoid of partisan or primordial sentiments as indicated by the state chief executive officer, factors that would drive the scheme, all things being equal, to the attainment of set goals and objectives.
The Governor deserves applause for continuing the programme that was initiated during the tenure of his predecessor, Senator (Dr.l) Ifeanyi Okowa. It was originally started by the Federal Government in 2020 in alliance with the World Bank as a response package to the devastating impact of COVID-19 and adopted by the state. It was an economic stimulus initiative to support businesses adversely affected by the pandemic. Under Okowa, 36,353 Deltans harvested from the scheme. Now, Oborevwori has taken the figure to 208,209 in 16 months.
Coming at a time the national economy is almost in a state of recession, we urge beneficiaries of the programme to not take the opportunity for granted. The state, with the entire nation, is a vast market in demand of their products and services. They should be well-focused and diligent in their approach to managing their enterprises.
They should not see the empowerment tools now firmly in their hands as their share of the national cake that should be sold to willing buyers. Such materials should be treated as inheritance that should be properly guarded and used. They are stepping stones to greatness.
We urge the monitoring units in the appropriate ministries to do a good job to navigate the programmes to greater delivery of democratic dividends across Delta.
