By Sunday Egede
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, yesterday, said his administration would not partner with any investor that does not have the overall interest of the state.
Governor Oborevwori disclosed this at a meeting he held with the Chairman of Metwest Steel Ltd., Mr. Arun Goswami and the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Osaro Adusomnwan at his conference Room, Government House, Asaba.
He noted that there were so many people who want to come and invest to see what they can get from the state government without giving back to the state, stressing that his administration will not partner such people.
While welcoming the Chairman and Managing Director of the company to Government House, the governor commended them and those who have been part of this venture.
“We are here this morning to look at our investment with Net West Steel Company which has the vast potential of meaningful development and opportunities for all; which is the first pillar of the MORE Agenda of this administration. “Last month, I went on an inspection to your factory and also, to the Delta Free Trade Zone, Kwale, it was an assessment visit just to be sure of what is on ground.
“There are so many people who want to come and invest to see what they can get from the government; they are not giving back and we are not ready to partner with such investors who just believe in the government to see what they can get from the government.
“It has to be a private partnership arrangement where both the government and the private sector will look at what they are bringing; that is why I said let us meet.
“We will look at what is on ground and see if the state government is ready to continue. However, I want to assure you that we are ready to continue, the governor stated.
On the requests made by the company about the free zone, he assured them that his administration will look into them, adding that there will be another meeting with the Economic Management Team (EMT) within this month where all their requests will be examined as well as the time schedule. “If we release our part of our own equity, we need to know the actual time schedule for the successful take off of the factory at the Kwale Industrial Park.
“Some investors will tell you this is the time frame and would not keep to it. So, we need you to quickly come with a time frame because we are ready to pay our own equity.
“Some investors will tell you this is the time frame and would not keep to it. So, we need you to quickly come with a time frame because we are ready to pay our own equity,” he said, adding that all other issues would be looked into, even as he assured them that the state government was ready to partner with them. The governor expressed appreciation to the company for their interest in Delta State, saying that such investment was what was needed at this time to create jobs that will take the unemployed people off the streets. Earlier, the Chairman of the company, Mr. Goswami said the project would be located in Kwale within the Delta State Free Trade Zone, pointing out that they were investing heavily into the project.
He assured the governor that once they were giving the necessary support, the plant will be ready for operation in the next eight months, adding that the project will generate 500 direct jobs in the first phase and 7,000 direct jobs over a period of six years as well as indirect job opportunities.
The Chairman disclosed that the company will generate an excess of over 100 million dollars, stressing that the project will help the state in attracting other industries to come and set up company in the state.
While saying that the whole effort was to be a key partner with Delta State, he noted that the project will help to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“I look forward to the favourable consideration of the project by the state government as the project will make the state government to achieve its dream to make it (the state) energy base industrial hub. In an interview with Government House Correspondents, the Managing Director of the company, Mr. Adusomnwan said they were hopeful that as soon as the obligation from Delta State was met, the governor will inaugurate the project in the next eight months.
