Lawmakers Task Delta Ministry of Trade and Investment On Industrialization

The Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Trade and Investment has met with officials of the Ministry and Agencies under its supervision to seek ways of achieving good budgetary performance in the 2020 fiscal year.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon Mathew Opuoru while addressing the officials led by the Commissioner, Chief Chika Ossai, restated the commitment of the Delta State House of Assembly to promotion of trade and Investment in the state.

Hon Opuoru who represents Warri South 2 Constituency in the house, said effective collaboration by his committee with the MDAs would achieve desired results in line with the Stronger Delta mantra of Okowa’s administration.

The Lawmaker disclosed that the House Committee on Trade and Investment has resolved to constantly monitor progress in the MDAs with a view of adding values to any step aimed at moving the sector forward.

Flanked by other members of the Committee including Honorables Anthony Elekeokwuri, Felix Anirah, Shedrack Rapu and Ekpotuareyin Pullah, Hon Opuoru charged the MDAs to ensure effective partnership with members.

For his part, Hon Anthony Elekeokwuri, Ika North East, expressed concern over the Kwale Industrial Park project and charged the ministry and officials involved in the development of the park to make it attractive to investors.

Supported by Hon Felix Anirah, representing Sapele Constituency, Hon Elekeokwuri harped on the need for construction and renovation of more markets across the state.

They emphasized the need for government to show greater passion when intervening on markets, saying that market projects are usually too slow to execute in the state.

The Lawmakers said industrializing the state will provide job opportunities for Deltans and called for effective supervision of government projects and programs under the purview of the Ministry of Trade and Investment as well as agencies under it.

Delta Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Executive Chairman, Delta State Investment Development Agency, Special Project Director, Kwale Industrial Park and Executive Assistant to the Governor on Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs

The State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon Chika Ossai said the 2020 approved budget for the ministry focused on ongoing project which took about 70% of it, while about 30% is for new projects.

Hon Ossai disclosed that some of the ongoing market projects in the state were awarded 2017, 2018 and 2019, assuring that more cities will be captured in the subsequent budget of the ministry.

The Special Project Director, Kwale Industrial Park, Hon Tam Brisbe who briefed the Committee on the project said the holistic benefits of the industrialized park was enormous and solicited the cooperation of all critical stakeholders in the project.

The Executive Assistant to the Governor on Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurs, Hon Orezi Esievo who also briefed the Committee said some progress had been made in the agency despite the challenges.

The Executive Chairman, Delta State Investment Development Agency, DIDA, Mr Paul Nmah and other top officials of the MDAs were present at the interactive session.