Thirty-five years after its creation, Delta State has every reason to reflect on its journey and look with renewed determination towards the future.
The anniversary is an opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of successive administrations and, most importantly, the people of Delta State, whose resilience, enterprise and commitment have continued to shape the state’s development.
But beyond the celebrations, there is a more important conversation about the future.
For Ndokwa Reporters, the recently concluded Delta State Economic and Investment Summit is one of the most significant developments to emerge as the state enters another phase of its journey.
We are pleased with the summit and with the deliberate effort by the state government to place investment, economic diversification and the development of new opportunities at the centre of the conversation about Delta’s future.
The theme, “Harnessing Our Strengths, Unlocking Our Potentials,” speaks directly to the challenge before the state. Delta has enormous natural and human resources. The question is how effectively those resources can be transformed into sustainable economic opportunities and improved living standards for its people.
The government’s announcement of a $100 million viability-gap fund, alongside plans involving more than 12,000 hectares of farmland and other investment initiatives, reflects an ambition to move the state beyond excessive dependence on oil and gas.
That ambition deserves encouragement. But it also creates expectations. The people of Delta State, as well as investors who are looking towards the state, will ultimately want to see more than speeches, presentations and investment commitments. They will want to see projects take off, businesses expand, jobs created and communities benefit.
That is where the real test of the summit begins. An investment summit should not be judged merely by the number of participants or the size of investment figures announced. Its real success should be measured by what happens after the conference.
How many of the announced investments will become actual projects? How many jobs will they create? How many local businesses will participate in the emerging opportunities? How will farmers benefit from the proposed agricultural investments? And how will young Deltans acquire the skills required to take advantage of the new economy?
These are legitimate expectations. Delta has the resources to become much more than an oil-producing state. Its agricultural potential, waterways, coastline, energy resources, strategic location and youthful population provide opportunities in agriculture, manufacturing, the blue economy, logistics, tourism, technology and other productive sectors.
But potential alone does not create prosperity. Potential becomes prosperity only when there is effective implementation.
This is why Ndokwa Reporters will be particularly pleased to see the decisions, commitments and proposals arising from the summit translate into fruitful outcomes in the nearest future.
The government will be pleased to see its vision become reality. The investment community will be encouraged when commitments become viable businesses and productive ventures. And the citizens of Delta State will be the greatest beneficiaries when those investments translate into employment, stronger local businesses, improved livelihoods and sustainable economic opportunities.
There must also be transparency and continuity. Investment commitments should be tracked, projects monitored and outcomes measured. Deltans should eventually be able to know which investments announced at the summit have commenced, which have been completed and what measurable economic benefits they are producing.
This is not criticism for the sake of criticism. It is part of the responsibility of an independent newspaper committed to the public interest.
At 35, Delta State has accumulated enough experience to know that development is not achieved by announcements alone. The state must continue to build institutions, infrastructure, human capital and an economic environment capable of attracting and retaining productive investment.
The Economic and Investment Summit has opened an important door. Now, that door must lead somewhere.
The next chapter of Delta’s development should not be measured only by the number of projects announced or the investment figures quoted. It should be measured by jobs created, businesses established, industries developed, communities transformed and lives improved.
We therefore welcome the summit and commend the vision behind it. But our greatest satisfaction will come when, in the years ahead, the people of Delta State and the investment community can look back and say that the summit was not merely another gathering of government officials, investors and business leaders.
It was a turning point. It delivered.
