Today, our Make Nigeria Better bandwagon travels to Delta State to examine the economic potential of the territory

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Back in the 2000s, a programme named Delta Beyond Oil was launched. This programme appears to have fallen by the wayside, so I say it is time to revive the scheme and end this parasitic dependence on petroleum for survival. Delta State has historically produced rubber, palm oil, timber, cocoa, etc. We need mega processing plants at Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, Asaba, Patani, etc to turn all these raw materials into finished products

[2] Maybe to kickstart the economic revival, the Delta State government needs to build a third River Niger crossing between Illah in Delta State and Nzom in Anambra State. Private developers will be used who will charge tolls to recoup their costs

[3] Then I would like to see the state government build an artificial lake and dam to the north of Illah, that will power a hydro-electric plant to generate at least 2,000MW

[4] We need to be innovative and build facilities that can serve as both industries and tourist attractions. Why for instance does the Delta State government not build a fishing factory on the island of Mgba Ekuku Illah. This island is unique in that it is in the middle of the River Niger

[5] To create local jobs, nothing stops the Delta State government from building a petroleum refinery inbetween Illah and Onicha-Olona to refine the crude discovered in nearby Umuagwu, Onyia and Ajaji

[6] I also want to see the Delta State government build a dual carriageway linking Illah with Benin City, so all the Edo State traffic wanting to cross the River Niger have a clear route

[7] Then the Delta State government needs to merge the Otu Umutei, Otu Upkologwu, Otu Onya, Nkwor Ajaji, Afia Ngegu and Afia Eke markets into one huge commercial concern on the Anwal Road. This will serve as the "Onitsha West of the Niger." These are all local markets scattered around Illah

[8] We also need to hold Illah's new yam festival Ikar Nmor and the fishing festival Iyi Okar within the same week and have one big commercial celebration. Market it like say Eyo in Lagos, Oju Ode in Ijebu or the Argungu fishing festival in Kebbi, attracting sponsors. We then try to build a hospitality industry around it

[9] The Delta State government needs to build a five star hotel on the banks of the Niger to serve as a hub around which a Tinapa-like tourist village can be built. Over the long term, it needs to build a school of oceanography and marine research at Illah, Asaba, Onitsha or Nzam

[10] I also want to see the Delta State government launch a programme to dredge the River Niger from Illah to Onitsha in the south and up to Lokoja in the north to make it a marine trading hub