Delta State Executive Council has approved the setting up of a modular refinery and commencement of work at an agro-industrial park in the state as it intensifies determination to create more jobs for the people of the state.
Tribune Online reports that the refinery is to be established at Okpai, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
Similarly, the government had appointed a committee to assess the state of Africa Timber and Plywood (AT&P), Sapele and determine how the land it is occupying could be effectively utilised for other ventures.
Announcing the decisions reached at the state executive council meeting in Asaba on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu reaffirmed that the 2020 budget of the state was being reviewed in line with developments as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He assured Deltans that the state governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa and his team were working out programmes that would get them positively engaged and reduce the effects of the ravaging pandemic.
According to the commissioner, the state government would be partnering the private sector to train some youths on how to construct telecommunication towers.
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“Due to COVID-19, what we had today was more of economic Exco meeting as it was basically on how to re-jig the economy of the state to get more of our people engaged now and after the COVID-19.
“Most of us are aware of the agro-industrial Park at Aboh-Ogwashi; Exco approved that government should explore that window provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Agriculture Loan to see that the industrial park which will be private sector-driven come on stream.
“The industrial park is big and you are aware that Norsworthy is among the companies that are investing and managing the park.
“Delta is known for its petrochemicals and Exco believes that it is high time we participated in that sector. So, we are investing in a modular refinery to be established at Okpai, Ndokwa East Local Government Area.
“The modular refinery will generate revenue for the state and create job opportunities for our people,’’ he said.
Aniagwu added that the meeting “also examined the AT&P that occupies a vast area in Sapele and we are looking at how to auction some of the machinery and look at how to utilise that land to help more people to be employed.
“We also looked at a proposal by a company to produce tower for the telecom sector and the Exco approved investment in the tower production plant to be sited at Issele-Uku.
“All that I have mentioned as approved by Exco are value-driven projects that will be of benefit to our people.”
The commissioner also said that due to the fall in the price of oil in the international market and the effects of COVID-19, the 2020 budget of the state had been reviewed and would be presented to the House of Assembly for approval.
He advised that people should take COVID-19 serious by going for medical checks once they have any symptoms of the ailment.
Aniagwu observed that the number of COVID-19 cases was on the rise in the state and urged the people to take responsibility by obeying laid down health protocols.
“We don’t want to hear about mysterious deaths in our state; so, go for tests so that we can get out of the curve; there is nothing to run away from, the government is committed to ensuring that the state is out of the spike and safe for everybody,” he said.
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