Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State said the diversification of the state economy from oil dependent to non-oil export is his administration’s desire and goal.
Okowa stated this at the state Special Day of the 2015 Lagos International Trade Fair at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.
Okowa said the state’s participation in the trade fair was a testimony of his administration’s desire to stimulate the rapid growth of the state’s economy.
“Our participation in this year’s event is a testimony of Delta State Government’s desire to stimulate growth by way of accelerated development of commerce and industry, revitalisation and diversification of our economy, promotion of non-oil exports, exposition of made-in-Delta products, development of agricultural and agro-based industry, prospects for foreign and local investments and giving direct attention to the role of the private sector in economic development of the state.”
The Governor said the idea of trade fair and exhibitions, especially, with this year’s theme of ‘Enhancing Value Addition in Non-oil Economy,’ fits well into his administration’s SMART Agenda and Prosperity for all Deltans.
“It is our firm belief that trade exhibitions remain one of the most potent ways of promoting growth and development of potentials in emerging economy such as ours. They provide local producers and other participants, the needed platform to exhibit their products and by extension, foster and stimulate entrepreneurship. In essence, it fits well into my administration’s SMART agenda and Prosperrity for all Deltans,” he asserted.
Highlighting efforts made by his administration to create wealth and direct employment in the state, Okowa said: “Several entrepreneurship programmes on job and wealth creation have been put in place. These include the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurship Programme (YAGEP), Skill Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP) and the Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP) where various youths from the state are currently undergoing various internship training in various skill acquisition centres across the country”.
The Governor was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah.
