THE Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Pastor Usani Uguru Usani has disclosed that the Presidential Initiative on Economic Diversification and Industrialisation of the Niger Delta Region is targeted towards creating jobs in the region.
Pastor Usani made the disclosure during a courtesy visit on the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade when he led the Presidential team.
The Minister and his team were in Calabar, Cross River State for the investment summit of the Presidential Initiative for Economic Diversification and Industrialisation of the states in the Niger Delta Region.
According to the Minister ‘’The target of the Federal Government in the Presidential Initiative for Economic Diversification particularly in Agriculture and Manufacturing in the Niger Delta Region is job creation and an agenda for the development of the region, conscious of the fact that the capacities of government agencies are too limited to absorb the growing labour demands on daily basis.’’
Pastor Usani noted that insecurity drives away investors which is caused majorly by joblessness, adding that when people are engaged productively through job creation there would be peace for sustainable development of the states in the Niger Delta Region.
The Minister added that the Federal Government was determined to make the initiative succeed in Cross River State through the collaboration of the state government, financial institutions, and willing investors.
He noted that Cross River State has many investment opportunities and that the Federal Government was ready to give maximum support to the state government and investors to tap those resources.
Pastor Usani advised that for the programme to succeed every stakeholder must be sincere and quick in responding to requests to facilitate necessary actions. He also added that effective liaison between the Cross River State Government and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs would fast track the progress of the programme.
He said the philosophy of the present administration is to work for people to see what government is doing. It is not just talking without doing something.
In his remarks, the Governor of Cross River State Sen Prof Ben Ayade assured that the state government would give the necessary support for the success of the Presidential Initiative on Economic Diversification to Agriculture and Industrialisation in the state.
Governor Ayade added that Cross River State was ready and willing to welcome investors to diversify the state’s economy.
He disclosed that Cross River State is endowed hydrocarbon resources, solid minerals, good soil for agriculture, industrial peace and other investment opportunities waiting to be tapped. He also added that there is a tax exemption for investors in the state.
His words: ‘’Think of investment and partnership now. I am into farming. If I can choose to invest in farming I see no reason why my cabinet members cannot go into farming. Every cabinet member from Special Advisers in this state must own a massive hectare of farmland.’’
Pastor Usani also inspected the Ministry’s Housing Estate at Bakassi and a Skill Acquisition Centre at Akpabuyo. At the project sites the Minister disclosed that completed projects of the Ministry in Cross River State would be inaugurated soon. The completed projects include: electrification, a block of the classroom, health centre, water scheme and a housing scheme.
The minister disclosed that fund was being sourced outside the budgetary provision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs from development partners to complete the skill acquisition centre at Akpabuyo in Cross River State.
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