Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, on Friday, charged the Board of Delta State Investment and Development Agency (DIDA) to draw up a functional template that would attract credible investments to the state.
Governor Oborevwori gave the charge at the swearing-in and inauguration of chairmen and members of the Civil Service Commission and the Boards of Government’ s institutions and agencies held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
The DIDA board has Chief Lucky Oghene-Omoru as Chairman, while Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri is Director-General.He said DIDA is a professional organisation, adding that the agency had a pivotal role to play in enhancing the business competitiveness of the state.
According to him, DIDA, which was designed as a One-Stop Investment Shop, had the responsibility of marketing the state to investors, while playing the role of midwife for Private /Public Partnerships in the state.
The Governor noted that a major challenge of the state’s economy was that it remained largely driven by the public sector, which, he said, made it highly vulnerable to external shocks.
“As it stands today, the organised private sector in the state is weak and underdeveloped, accounting for only nine per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at 2022. I am counting on the new leadership of DIDA to change this narrative by initiating steps that will enhance the ease of doing business in the state.
“This will enable Delta recapture its former glory days when such industries as A T & P, Delta Glass Factory, Asaba Textile Mills, and Delta Steel Company, Aladja, were the major growth drivers and employers of labour.
“Towards this end, I expect the new Board to draw up a functional template that will attract investments. Strictly speaking, DIDA is a professional organisation. Hence, the new Board must prospect personnel who are versed in project appraisal, development, and management.
“We must bear in mind that all the states in the federation are competing for investors, and these investors will only go where they are treated fairly and profitability is assured,” he added.
In a related development, the Governor implored the new Board of Delta State Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA) headed by Chief Henry Sakpra as Chairman and Dr Godwin Adolor Executive Secretary, to strive to lift Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state to higher levels of operational capacity, viability and sustainability.
He noted that the current operating economic environment was very harsh as many enterprises were struggling to stay afloat, pointing out that the Board had a responsibility to scope the environment and devise means for these MSMEs to respond appropriately to the current challenges.
“It is my considered view that Delta State Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (DEMSMA) should prioritise post- establishment training, especially for beneficiaries of our entrepreneurship development programmes.
“It should also consider the prospects of establishing cluster enterprises to enable access to shared facilities and inputs as a way of cost management for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“Of course, it must strengthen its traditional roles of market development, financial support and establishing linkages between MSMEs and market operators,” Governor Oborevwori said.
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