Experts Challenge Isoko Nation To Harness Natural Resources Deposited Across Communities
Experts at the recent summit of Isoko nation have challenged the people to harness the economic prosperity of the area as available natural deposits across communities in the land that were yet untapped.
Discussants at the first Isoko Economic and Investment Summit held on Thursday at Oleh, in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State said the Isoko nation is safe and peaceful for investment to thrive as it requires sincere commitment of investors.
The discussants included the Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning, Dr. Kingsley Emu; the member representing Ughelli North 1 in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Samuel Mariere; the former Chairman, Delta State Board of Internal Revenue, Mr. Joel Thomas-Onowhakpor; a University don, Prof. Irwin Akpoborie; the immediate past Rector, state Polytechnic, Ozoro, Dr. Jacob Oboreh; Mr. Ernest Edgar of BEDC and Mr. Amos Obi, a UN-licensed innovator for SDGs.
Others included the Chairman, IC-Global Micro Finance Bank, Chief Ben Arausi; a partner with Shoprite, Mr. Olumide Akinsanya; Eta Enahoro of Skyward Resources; Jonathan Ososuakpor, Managing Director, Amju Micro and Hon. Benjamin Ogbalor, an investor.
They said Isoko nation is blessed with lots of natural resources and fertile land, saying that, aside the heavy deposit of oil and gas in the area, agriculture can thrive in the locality, hence the call for investment in agro-allied industries.
Some of the discussants, while sharing their experience on how they started from very small outfits to the macro levels they currently occupy in the business world, said what was most required was to be focused and committed to succeed.
They commended the move by the state government to outlaw unnecessary multiple levies by communities, particularly the youth groups, saying that the sad development had discouraged investment in many communities across the state.
They also commended the chairmen of Isoko North and South Local Government Areas, Comrade Emmanuel Egbabor and Sir Constantine Ikpokpo, for the plan to set up a technical committee for the implementation of the resolutions of the summit.
Comrade Emmanuel Egbabor and Sir Constantine Ikpokpo said that the summit was driven by the need to diversify the economy of the Isoko nation, improve human capital development and reduce the poverty index of the people of the area.
Comrade Egbabor and Sir Ikpokpo maintained that new avenues of business developments were being explored, adding that the theme of the summit, “Harnessing Isoko Economic Potentials and Opportunities for Sustainable Development,” explained the need to think outside the box in the development of the Isoko nation.
The President-General, Isoko Development Union, Chief Iduh Amadihe said the summit was a welcome development, stating that the union will continue to engage well-meaning sons and daughters of Isoko nation and others on the need to invest in the area.
