Ajuwa Victor
The Secretary to Delta State Government Dr. Kingsley Emu, says the state has the potential to become a key economic zone in the country leveraging its vast crude oil and gas reserve, and resources for both aquatic and land-based agriculture.
Dr. Emu stated this in Asaba, during a study tour to Delta State by Participants of the Naval Warfare Course 9, of the Naval War College of Nigeria.
Reports stated that stakeholders at the tour called for collaborative initiatives between the state and the federal government, focused on maximizing and preserving the natural resources that abound in the area.
Dr. Emu, said water bodies constitute about 40% of the total landmass of Delta State, which has four Seaports and was the highest producer of crude oil, hence the need to maintain an active naval presence to safeguard the strategic area.
Dr. Emu stated that , the government had embarked on the construction of bridges to link riverine communities, established conflict resolution mechanisms and executed human development schemes targeted at improving the lives of people and maintaining the peace in the area.
Dr. Emu stressed “We have loads of critical assets supporting the extractive industry of oil, most oil majors are located here.
“There is a need to protect that environment.”
The Commandant Naval War Collage Rear admiral Olatunde Olodude, noted that strategic locations across Delta State have been earmarked for the tour, to establish firsthand analysis that would inform corresponding reports and recommendations after the five-day exercise.
Commandant pointed out “At the end of the day we can take all this back and feed the Chief of Naval Staff on our findings.”
A Ministerial Briefing was programmed for the tour, where the Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning Mr. Sunny Ekedaye; his counterpart in Transport Ministry Onoriode Agofure; and that of Women Affairs Mrs Pat Ajudua, took turns to educate the participants on activities in their sectors.
The Study Tour of Delta State by Participants of the Naval Warfare Course 9, of the Naval War College of Nigeria was embarked upon with the theme: Maritime Security, a Panacea for Viable Socio-economic Development.
