By Austin Ogwuda
The Executive Assistant on External Relations and Diaspora Affairs to the Delta State Governor, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, Comrade Sunny Ofehe says that Delta State is well positioned to attract foreign direct investments to Nigeria as a whole and Delta State in particular.
Ofehe stated this during an interview with newsmen. When asked about plans he has to market Delta State to the rest of the world as an Executive Assistant on External Relations and Diaspora Affairs, he said, “we are not just going to sell Delta State to Nigerians in the Diaspora alone; we are going to sell Delta State to the global community at large.
“Delta State is very easy to sell. Delta State, as it is today, is the gateway to the South-South and South-East regions of Nigeria. Delta State today is the only state with two major functioning airports in the State capital Asaba with an international standard runway that can land even an airbus A380 and the other airport located in the State’s commercial hub city of Warri.Â
“Delta State today is the only state with despite underachieving four major seaports in the world, we have about 165 kilometers of coastline, which can also open doors to many economic activities including huge potential in blue-economy. And of course, currently we’re the largest producer of crude oil in the country, and we have the highest gas reserve in the country.
 “So we have all the abundant natural and mineral resources, even solid minerals to be precise, and in addition to that, we have high human capital development in the state because we pride ourselves as the state with the highest tertiary institutions in this country.
“Therefore, selling Delta State is as easy as selling anything that is good, and that is why we want to take a different approach this time around and look into how we can showcase Delta State beyond the crude oil that we are generally known for”, he stated.
Ofehe further noted that the State’s 2024 budget already signed into law would boost both domestic and foreign direct investments with increased productivity while at the same time enhance the ease of doing business in the state.
His words, “The budget is cutting down on recurrent expenditure in other to free up more funds for the sustainable financing of the State’s critical infrastructure and human capital.
“For the first time the government is focused, improving the ease of doing business so that we can attract domestic and foreign direct investments, and improve productivity while sustaining the growth of our domestic economy. Remember that since the commencement of this administration in the last six months, there has not been a single borrowing.Â
“Therefore, we are not only guaranteeing the security and safety of our Diaspora investments but we are also assuring them of a better business investment climate in Delta State”, he added.
