By Monday Osayande
Four South South Governors – Dr. Ben Ayade, Cross River, Mr. Nyeson Wike, Rivers, Sariake Dickson Bayelsa and Udom Emmanuel, Akwa- Ibom yesterday shunned the South South Export Enlightment and Engagement Forum, organized by the Nigeria Export – Import Bank (NEXIM), held in Asaba, Delta State.
Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, the only governor that attended the forum arrived hours after the host Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa had delivered his speech and left.
The organizers said the Forum was to draw the South South States and other stakeholders’ attentions to expeditiously diversify the economy and maximise non-oil export potentials for accelerated economic development.
It was said that once the aim was achieved, there is bound to be employment, income generation and deployment for agriculture products in the Region.
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The position came Tuesday in Asaba at the South South Export Enlightenment and Engagement Forum, SSEEEF, forum organized by the Nigeria Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) to share thoughts and generate concepts required to explore and harness non-oil export potentials in the South-South geo-political region.
The Executive Director of NEPC, Olusegun Awolowo advocated for a change if the theme of the event “Maximaxing Non-Oil Export Potentials ln The South- South Region For Economic Growth” must be achieved saying most of the companies supported by NEXIM Bank are not from the South South.
He lamented that most of the agricultural products like Palm oil, cassava, vegetables, groundnut, seafoods and minerals like clay, Kaolin, copper, gold, salt, glass, comical, gravel, granit are potentials for exportation, employment and income generation that were ignored, after all.
The Lead Consultant, 3T Impex Trade Consulting, Mr. Bamidele Ayemibo also lamented that the South South is concentrating on oil, without diversifying other areas.
He believed that South South States are blessed with numerous agricultural products and mineral resources that can sustain the region through exportation.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, while congratulating NEXIM for the initiative, said the economies of these States have been largely dependent on the oil and gas sector which has distorted mono product economy and not doing well for inclusive economic growth and sustainable development,
Okowa expressed worrisome over the depleting oil and, expecially the advent of electric cars is a clear and present danger to the future of this industry.
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” To achieve this, it is exigent that we first take full advantage of our unique location. In business, it is axiomatic that being in the right location is critical for success. Our natural location in the coastal region puts us in a prime position to engage in export-import trade.
“Take Delta State, for instance. It has four seaports in Warri, Burutu, Sapele and Koko, which combined capacity, exceeds that of all the other ports in Nigeria put together. You can, therefore, imagine the quantum of trade and commerce, as well as the limitless possibilities that exist for investment and employment opportunities when just two of the ports are fully functional”
“While the Federal Government has commenced the dredging of Escravos Bar for this purpose, the Delta State Government is taking steps to bring the Burutu Port back to life. Located in Burutu Local Government, it was the first modern port in Nigeria and served as the hub for the movement of goods to and from Nigeria as well as distribution through the inland waterways to and from the hinterland of the North, Central and Eastern Parts of the country.”
