Let-us-make-delta-state-a-mini-lagos-state-with-its-existing-potentials
September 7, 2020 | News
LET US MAKE DELTA STATE A MINI-LAGOS STATE WITH ITS EXISTING POTENTIALS
Without a doubt, we strongly believe that Delta State, with its enormous human and natural resourcefulness, has all it takes to become a mini-Lagos State, or even far better than Lagos, if only the right actions of good governance are purposefully-driven by the guardians of our collective wealth across all levels of Government in the State, and the people themselves are holding the same Government accountable across all levels, from now and into the years to come. Every time we consider Lagos State, we cannot help but wonder if it is possible for Delta State to governed in like manner to attain its status or something far better. And we believe this is very possible for Delta State if only the right things are done.
As noted by Abraham Ogbodo in a recent opinion publication: “Lagos State is a very peculiar State in the country. In terms of landmass, it is the smallest State in Nigeria, measuring just about 3,345 square kilometers, which is about the size of a local government area in Niger State with a landmass of 76,363 square km. But that is where the smallness of Lagos State ends. In every other index of measurement, the State is a towering giant. It is the most populous, claiming to accommodate 25 million human beings or about 16 percent of Nigeria’s estimated population of 150 million. Estimates also say that about one third of industries in Nigeria are in Lagos. In the context of national and even continental geo-economics, Lagos State is simply awesome. It is rightly called the economic capital of Nigeria and as the fifth largest economy in Africa; the State is to Africa what the State of California in the US is to the world.
“When the annual budgets of states in Nigeria stayed far below the one billion mark in the late 80s to early 90s, Lagos was the first state to cross that bar. And this year, the State has entered the books as the first to scale the one trillion mark with its N1.046 trillion budget as approved by the State House of Assembly. This is to say also that something called ‘Budget of Kinetic Crystallization’ with which Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, where the most thriving industry is a yearly carnival in December, plans to fund a N1.3 trillion budget in 2018 is the biggest joke of the decade.
“Lagos State is indeed a pacesetter and trailblazer in many more regards. It is the only State where the dichotomy between indigenes and settlers is blunt, to the extent that any ethnic group can aspire to political leadership in the state. The character of representation of the state in the National Assembly attests to this. This is even more so at the state executive level where the persistent enthronement of non-Lagos indigenes as governors became one of the defining campaign issues in the 2015 governorship election in the state. Also, the state civil service is a geo-ethnic potpourri. Outside competence, about the only requirement, which is not compulsory, to aspire to anywhere in the state’s political and bureaucratic systems is ability to speak the Yoruba language. Discriminatory practices against non-indigenes of the state in real operations are often too soft to compel a change of the unwritten code.
“At the level of private sector participation in the affairs of the state, non-indigenes seem to have an upper hand. Pause and imagine for a while what would become of Lagos, if all the businessmen and women from the Southeast were to quit? Know also that both the richest man and woman in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija are resident in Lagos. In fact, both started evolving from Surulere. Lagos parades the best in almost everything. The best lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, journalists and troublemakers, who sometimes assume the euphemism of rights activists; they are all in Lagos. The city’s excellence in businesses and the professions is therefore driven by a competition among the very best in the country. Nothing else can explain better the pre-eminent status of Lagos in national affairs. That is Lagos for you. It is configured by a combination of natural and socio-economic advantages to cause cold in Abuja and the entire nation when it sneezes. It is about the only state in the country that can run without the federal monthly allocations and nothing will happen to it.”
While we would not want to bother ourselves with to explain some of the wrong moves currently being made by the Lagos State Governor, Ambode, in trying to rip-off taxes by all means necessary, the point we are trying to make here is that there is nothing like a liberalized, free-trade-zoned and environmentally-and-business-friendly State or society where there is evident ‘good governance’ that provides needed massive infrastructure and where businesses (both private and public) can thrive unhindered by any external or internal human-engineered factors. That has been the secret that have made Lagos State what it is today. And so, it is with other developed societies today across the globe. Every Government and its people, must be able to provide the needed environment and atmosphere that would attract businesses from all works of life to thrive in their domain. The Dubai that we hear of today did the exact same thing and today, most of the big businesses and the economic livewire of Dubai are owned and run by foreigners. In fact, Dubai had used its oil wealth and transformed their home into the world’s number one luxurious tourist destination and business investments. It is very possible for Delta State to also use its oil and gas wealth to transform the State into an industrialized destination where all kinds of products/goods derivable from crude oil and gas can be ‘exported for foreign exchange’, amongst other business attractions.
To further justify why Delta State can be made to become like Lagos or Dubai, let us reiterate here that Delta State, which was carved out of the former Bendel State on 27 August 1991, is in the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria and its State capital is the bustling city of Asaba. It is also home to Warri (popularly known as the Oil-city), which is the most populous of its cities and is its “economic nerve centre.” Delta State. Though, known as an oil-producing state, Delta State is also known to have enormous potentials for a thriving fishing industry and can also be an agricultural producing State, if only the necessary investments are channeled in that direction. Its Vegetation includes: Mangrove Swamps, Evergreen Forests and Savannahs, and major crops include: Rubber, Oil Palm, Cashew and Cocoa. Not to mention its Mineral Resources of Crude oil, Natural gas, Silica, Tar Sand and Limestone – all begging for more investments to explore. The River Ethiope, which is reputed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa is sourced in and flows through Delta State. And on the southern flank is the Bight of Benin, which covers about 160 kilometres of the State's coastline. Delta State is generally low-lying without remarkable hills. But the State has a wide coastal belt inter-lace with rivulets and streams, which form part of the Niger Delta. In fact, places like Warri, Sapele, Burutu, Koko or Okwagbe in Delta State with rivers linking the sea, are potential points for natural Port development to encourage exports and imports of goods and services.
With a population of over 4.5million, and a total land area of 16,842 square kilometres (6,503 sq mi). The state covers a landmass of about 18,050 km², of which more than 60% is land. The state lies approximately between Longitude 5°00 and 6°.45' East and Latitude 5°00 and 6°.30' North and has one of the best weather conditions throughout the year. On the economic side, Delta State with 25 LGAs and 5 distinct ethnic groups, is an oil producing state with one of the highest production output in the country. This makes the State to be one amongst first three richest States in the country in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). In fact, after Lagos and Rivers that comes first and second respectively, Delta State is third, according to IGR records collated by the Nigerian Bureau of Statics, with N40,805,656,911.96. With such an impressive figure in year 2018, you might wonder how a population of just over 4 million people merited their place on this list. In another report, Delta State grosses a total GDP of $16.749 billion at a $3, 990 per capita level. Delta State may be the only state with two airports in Nigeria! There is the airport at Asaba and the airstrip at Osubi, near Warri, which only needs to be upgraded to a standard airport. Delta State has one of the highest numbers (if not the highest) of tertiary institutions in the entire country and more are still springing up.
Delta State has one of the highest number of monarchs in the whole country. Virtually every community has a monarch of some sort. In fact, some communities have more than one monarchs (e.g. Abraka). The youngest monarch in Nigeria (Obi of Ubulu-uku, still a teenager) is from Delta State; there are absolute monarchies, e.g. Olu of Warri, Ovie of Ughelli; rotational monarchies, e.g. Ovie of Uvwie, Orodje of Okpe, Asagba of Asaba, Obi of Agbon, Okobaro of Ughievwen (Jeremi), Ovie of Udu; and even monarchies by election. Delta State is estimated to have more than 100 monarchs and counting. Delta has some iconic tourist attractions such as the source of River Ethiope (A Tree) at Umuaja, the Lander Brothers anchorage at Asaba, Nana Living Museum at Koko, Olu Cemetery at Warri, Bible Site at Araya, natural white spring water resorts at Abraka, Olu Palace at Warri, Ovie palace at Ughelli, Ogba-Urhie of Ughievwen (Jeremi), Ogwa-Ene of Ughievwen (Jeremi), Okere-juju shrine, Agbassa (Agbarah juju shrine), etc.
From all of the above, we can see that indeed, Delta State is blessed beyond measure not to become the a “mini-Lagos State” of the even the “Dubai of Africa.” But this can only be if we (both the Government at all levels and the Governed), start doing things differently. Is possible for the Delta State Government across all levels to be more accountable, transparent, judicious, people-oriented and committed to the management of the State’s enormous resources and wealth under their care. Is possible for the Delta State Governor to demonstrate seriousness in the area of addressing pressing insecurity issues in the State like kidnapping, armed robbery, community youth’s restiveness and unreasonable demands (e.g ‘Deve’) by our jobless youths. Is possible for the people too, especially our youths, to embrace the good ideals of hard work, patience and zeal to earn a modest/honest living and not rely of ‘quick-and-easy-means’ of making money, which leads them to unnecessary acts like extortion, used as thugs by politicians, cybercrime, illegal bunkering, etc, all of which paints a bad picture about the State to outsiders and prospective investors. Is possible for the State Government to embark on massive investments on infrastructural development that will attract outsiders, prospective investors and even oil and gas companies that have left the State, because unless prospective investors are fully convinced that it will be “more profitable and peaceful to operate in Delta State”, they will not be moved or find it appealing to invest in Delta State.
Is very possible for us as Deltans, not to discourage prospective investors/business owners, or cripple and snuff-out-the-life of existing businesses in our State with ‘not-well-thought-out’ actions like shutting down the entire businesses in Uvwie for practically a whole day, which includes the popular Shoprite (Delta Malls) around Effurun-roundabout, over the Anniversary Coronation of the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom some weeks back. Is possible for us to attach ‘Economic Benefits’ to such Traditional Activities/Ceremonies to ‘generate wealth’ for our people like we see being done in other climes, instead of focusing only on the merriment and funfair of such social gatherings. Is possible for us to use every tourist attraction site, structure or Traditional events in the entire State to attract both national and international visitors to come and spend their money in these places, like we see in developed societies - thereby adding/improving the State’s economy.
Is possible for us as a people, to collectively and ‘publicly shame’ and disregard all the known serving and ex corrupt politicians in the State, so as to discourage them and others from thinking that it is okay to steal public funds and still be celebrated as a hero. Like was done with the ridiculous grand reception and thanksgiving ceremony accorded to James Ibori some weeks back. Is very possible for our young and energetic youths not to sell their birth rights over a pot of porridge or mortgage their future and that of their unborn children because of ephemeral gains from the political class. Or allow themselves be used as pawns in the hands of these corrupt politicians to jeopardize their future prospects, from electing persons with the credibility and integrity to govern the State, as well as the various local government levels; to greater heights.
These are a whole lot of ‘Possibilities’, which evident very possible in Delta State, if only both the governed and the government would shelve their selfish interests aside and start doing what would be for the benefit of all and sundry, regardless of our ethnic and political-affiliation differences.
We recently heard that the Delta State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and stressed that Delta State has been turned into a ‘development site.’ But what ‘development site’ are they referring to and talking about? As far as we, and many well-meaning Deltans can tell, the said Delta State lawmakers are just paying politics and flattering the Governor with the ‘insincere commentary’. There are still many very important projects in the State that have not been given the needed attention. What has happened to the Osubi Airstrip runway and expansion project? There was a time on the past when Nigerians used to fly from Warri to places like Port-Harcourt and Abuja on a daily basis, including weekends. But today, the same Airstrip has been left underutilized due to lack of attention to expand/upgrade its facilities to a standard airport. So, why is the Delta State House of Assembly deceiving Governor Okowa with their so-called vote of confidence to suggest that he is overperforming? Most of the Streets and Road networks tarred/repaired by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan are today getting very bad, but majority of the road networks in the rural areas of some Communities in Ughelli South LGA, cannot be accessed by land anymore. Is that development? Yet, they are commending Okowa. What kind of ‘development site’ are they referring to in their statement? Who are they are trying to deceive! Why are we fond of deceiving ourselves just for personal gains? But of course, virtually all the Delta State lawmakers are owners of Prado Landcruiser Jeeps/SUVs, which they conveniently use on these bad roads. So, they really do not care about what happens to the common masses. Is Delta State not retrogressing? If in the past airline operators like Aero Contractors were flying from Warri to Port-Harcourt on a daily basis, including weekends, and today no more such flights, should we say that Delta State is developing or going backwards?
Zik Gbemre, JP.
Without a doubt, we strongly believe that Delta State, with its enormous human and natural resourcefulness, has all it takes to become a mini-Lagos State, or even far better than Lagos, if only the right actions of good governance are purposefully-driven by the guardians of our collective wealth across all levels of Government in the State, and the people themselves are holding the same Government accountable across all levels, from now and into the years to come. Every time we consider Lagos State, we cannot help but wonder if it is possible for Delta State to governed in like manner to attain its status or something far better. And we believe this is very possible for Delta State if only the right things are done.
As noted by Abraham Ogbodo in a recent opinion publication: “Lagos State is a very peculiar State in the country. In terms of landmass, it is the smallest State in Nigeria, measuring just about 3,345 square kilometers, which is about the size of a local government area in Niger State with a landmass of 76,363 square km. But that is where the smallness of Lagos State ends. In every other index of measurement, the State is a towering giant. It is the most populous, claiming to accommodate 25 million human beings or about 16 percent of Nigeria’s estimated population of 150 million. Estimates also say that about one third of industries in Nigeria are in Lagos. In the context of national and even continental geo-economics, Lagos State is simply awesome. It is rightly called the economic capital of Nigeria and as the fifth largest economy in Africa; the State is to Africa what the State of California in the US is to the world.
“When the annual budgets of states in Nigeria stayed far below the one billion mark in the late 80s to early 90s, Lagos was the first state to cross that bar. And this year, the State has entered the books as the first to scale the one trillion mark with its N1.046 trillion budget as approved by the State House of Assembly. This is to say also that something called ‘Budget of Kinetic Crystallization’ with which Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, where the most thriving industry is a yearly carnival in December, plans to fund a N1.3 trillion budget in 2018 is the biggest joke of the decade.
“Lagos State is indeed a pacesetter and trailblazer in many more regards. It is the only State where the dichotomy between indigenes and settlers is blunt, to the extent that any ethnic group can aspire to political leadership in the state. The character of representation of the state in the National Assembly attests to this. This is even more so at the state executive level where the persistent enthronement of non-Lagos indigenes as governors became one of the defining campaign issues in the 2015 governorship election in the state. Also, the state civil service is a geo-ethnic potpourri. Outside competence, about the only requirement, which is not compulsory, to aspire to anywhere in the state’s political and bureaucratic systems is ability to speak the Yoruba language. Discriminatory practices against non-indigenes of the state in real operations are often too soft to compel a change of the unwritten code.
“At the level of private sector participation in the affairs of the state, non-indigenes seem to have an upper hand. Pause and imagine for a while what would become of Lagos, if all the businessmen and women from the Southeast were to quit? Know also that both the richest man and woman in Africa, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija are resident in Lagos. In fact, both started evolving from Surulere. Lagos parades the best in almost everything. The best lawyers, doctors, engineers, teachers, journalists and troublemakers, who sometimes assume the euphemism of rights activists; they are all in Lagos. The city’s excellence in businesses and the professions is therefore driven by a competition among the very best in the country. Nothing else can explain better the pre-eminent status of Lagos in national affairs. That is Lagos for you. It is configured by a combination of natural and socio-economic advantages to cause cold in Abuja and the entire nation when it sneezes. It is about the only state in the country that can run without the federal monthly allocations and nothing will happen to it.”
While we would not want to bother ourselves with to explain some of the wrong moves currently being made by the Lagos State Governor, Ambode, in trying to rip-off taxes by all means necessary, the point we are trying to make here is that there is nothing like a liberalized, free-trade-zoned and environmentally-and-business-friendly State or society where there is evident ‘good governance’ that provides needed massive infrastructure and where businesses (both private and public) can thrive unhindered by any external or internal human-engineered factors. That has been the secret that have made Lagos State what it is today. And so, it is with other developed societies today across the globe. Every Government and its people, must be able to provide the needed environment and atmosphere that would attract businesses from all works of life to thrive in their domain. The Dubai that we hear of today did the exact same thing and today, most of the big businesses and the economic livewire of Dubai are owned and run by foreigners. In fact, Dubai had used its oil wealth and transformed their home into the world’s number one luxurious tourist destination and business investments. It is very possible for Delta State to also use its oil and gas wealth to transform the State into an industrialized destination where all kinds of products/goods derivable from crude oil and gas can be ‘exported for foreign exchange’, amongst other business attractions.
To further justify why Delta State can be made to become like Lagos or Dubai, let us reiterate here that Delta State, which was carved out of the former Bendel State on 27 August 1991, is in the South-South geo-political zone of Nigeria and its State capital is the bustling city of Asaba. It is also home to Warri (popularly known as the Oil-city), which is the most populous of its cities and is its “economic nerve centre.” Delta State. Though, known as an oil-producing state, Delta State is also known to have enormous potentials for a thriving fishing industry and can also be an agricultural producing State, if only the necessary investments are channeled in that direction. Its Vegetation includes: Mangrove Swamps, Evergreen Forests and Savannahs, and major crops include: Rubber, Oil Palm, Cashew and Cocoa. Not to mention its Mineral Resources of Crude oil, Natural gas, Silica, Tar Sand and Limestone – all begging for more investments to explore. The River Ethiope, which is reputed to be the deepest inland waterway in Africa is sourced in and flows through Delta State. And on the southern flank is the Bight of Benin, which covers about 160 kilometres of the State's coastline. Delta State is generally low-lying without remarkable hills. But the State has a wide coastal belt inter-lace with rivulets and streams, which form part of the Niger Delta. In fact, places like Warri, Sapele, Burutu, Koko or Okwagbe in Delta State with rivers linking the sea, are potential points for natural Port development to encourage exports and imports of goods and services.
With a population of over 4.5million, and a total land area of 16,842 square kilometres (6,503 sq mi). The state covers a landmass of about 18,050 km², of which more than 60% is land. The state lies approximately between Longitude 5°00 and 6°.45' East and Latitude 5°00 and 6°.30' North and has one of the best weather conditions throughout the year. On the economic side, Delta State with 25 LGAs and 5 distinct ethnic groups, is an oil producing state with one of the highest production output in the country. This makes the State to be one amongst first three richest States in the country in terms of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). In fact, after Lagos and Rivers that comes first and second respectively, Delta State is third, according to IGR records collated by the Nigerian Bureau of Statics, with N40,805,656,911.96. With such an impressive figure in year 2018, you might wonder how a population of just over 4 million people merited their place on this list. In another report, Delta State grosses a total GDP of $16.749 billion at a $3, 990 per capita level. Delta State may be the only state with two airports in Nigeria! There is the airport at Asaba and the airstrip at Osubi, near Warri, which only needs to be upgraded to a standard airport. Delta State has one of the highest numbers (if not the highest) of tertiary institutions in the entire country and more are still springing up.
Delta State has one of the highest number of monarchs in the whole country. Virtually every community has a monarch of some sort. In fact, some communities have more than one monarchs (e.g. Abraka). The youngest monarch in Nigeria (Obi of Ubulu-uku, still a teenager) is from Delta State; there are absolute monarchies, e.g. Olu of Warri, Ovie of Ughelli; rotational monarchies, e.g. Ovie of Uvwie, Orodje of Okpe, Asagba of Asaba, Obi of Agbon, Okobaro of Ughievwen (Jeremi), Ovie of Udu; and even monarchies by election. Delta State is estimated to have more than 100 monarchs and counting. Delta has some iconic tourist attractions such as the source of River Ethiope (A Tree) at Umuaja, the Lander Brothers anchorage at Asaba, Nana Living Museum at Koko, Olu Cemetery at Warri, Bible Site at Araya, natural white spring water resorts at Abraka, Olu Palace at Warri, Ovie palace at Ughelli, Ogba-Urhie of Ughievwen (Jeremi), Ogwa-Ene of Ughievwen (Jeremi), Okere-juju shrine, Agbassa (Agbarah juju shrine), etc.
From all of the above, we can see that indeed, Delta State is blessed beyond measure not to become the a “mini-Lagos State” of the even the “Dubai of Africa.” But this can only be if we (both the Government at all levels and the Governed), start doing things differently. Is possible for the Delta State Government across all levels to be more accountable, transparent, judicious, people-oriented and committed to the management of the State’s enormous resources and wealth under their care. Is possible for the Delta State Governor to demonstrate seriousness in the area of addressing pressing insecurity issues in the State like kidnapping, armed robbery, community youth’s restiveness and unreasonable demands (e.g ‘Deve’) by our jobless youths. Is possible for the people too, especially our youths, to embrace the good ideals of hard work, patience and zeal to earn a modest/honest living and not rely of ‘quick-and-easy-means’ of making money, which leads them to unnecessary acts like extortion, used as thugs by politicians, cybercrime, illegal bunkering, etc, all of which paints a bad picture about the State to outsiders and prospective investors. Is possible for the State Government to embark on massive investments on infrastructural development that will attract outsiders, prospective investors and even oil and gas companies that have left the State, because unless prospective investors are fully convinced that it will be “more profitable and peaceful to operate in Delta State”, they will not be moved or find it appealing to invest in Delta State.
Is very possible for us as Deltans, not to discourage prospective investors/business owners, or cripple and snuff-out-the-life of existing businesses in our State with ‘not-well-thought-out’ actions like shutting down the entire businesses in Uvwie for practically a whole day, which includes the popular Shoprite (Delta Malls) around Effurun-roundabout, over the Anniversary Coronation of the Ovie of Uvwie kingdom some weeks back. Is possible for us to attach ‘Economic Benefits’ to such Traditional Activities/Ceremonies to ‘generate wealth’ for our people like we see being done in other climes, instead of focusing only on the merriment and funfair of such social gatherings. Is possible for us to use every tourist attraction site, structure or Traditional events in the entire State to attract both national and international visitors to come and spend their money in these places, like we see in developed societies - thereby adding/improving the State’s economy.
Is possible for us as a people, to collectively and ‘publicly shame’ and disregard all the known serving and ex corrupt politicians in the State, so as to discourage them and others from thinking that it is okay to steal public funds and still be celebrated as a hero. Like was done with the ridiculous grand reception and thanksgiving ceremony accorded to James Ibori some weeks back. Is very possible for our young and energetic youths not to sell their birth rights over a pot of porridge or mortgage their future and that of their unborn children because of ephemeral gains from the political class. Or allow themselves be used as pawns in the hands of these corrupt politicians to jeopardize their future prospects, from electing persons with the credibility and integrity to govern the State, as well as the various local government levels; to greater heights.
These are a whole lot of ‘Possibilities’, which evident very possible in Delta State, if only both the governed and the government would shelve their selfish interests aside and start doing what would be for the benefit of all and sundry, regardless of our ethnic and political-affiliation differences.
We recently heard that the Delta State House of Assembly has passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and stressed that Delta State has been turned into a ‘development site.’ But what ‘development site’ are they referring to and talking about? As far as we, and many well-meaning Deltans can tell, the said Delta State lawmakers are just paying politics and flattering the Governor with the ‘insincere commentary’. There are still many very important projects in the State that have not been given the needed attention. What has happened to the Osubi Airstrip runway and expansion project? There was a time on the past when Nigerians used to fly from Warri to places like Port-Harcourt and Abuja on a daily basis, including weekends. But today, the same Airstrip has been left underutilized due to lack of attention to expand/upgrade its facilities to a standard airport. So, why is the Delta State House of Assembly deceiving Governor Okowa with their so-called vote of confidence to suggest that he is overperforming? Most of the Streets and Road networks tarred/repaired by former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan are today getting very bad, but majority of the road networks in the rural areas of some Communities in Ughelli South LGA, cannot be accessed by land anymore. Is that development? Yet, they are commending Okowa. What kind of ‘development site’ are they referring to in their statement? Who are they are trying to deceive! Why are we fond of deceiving ourselves just for personal gains? But of course, virtually all the Delta State lawmakers are owners of Prado Landcruiser Jeeps/SUVs, which they conveniently use on these bad roads. So, they really do not care about what happens to the common masses. Is Delta State not retrogressing? If in the past airline operators like Aero Contractors were flying from Warri to Port-Harcourt on a daily basis, including weekends, and today no more such flights, should we say that Delta State is developing or going backwards?
Zik Gbemre, JP.